Warning - Don’t get Grifted by the Christmas Store Card Scammers

Thinking of buying some Gift Cards as Christmas presents for your loved ones this year? Makes sense doesn't it? They are easy to pop in the post, do not require gift-wrapping, and allow the lucky recipient to choose something they actually want or need. Not to mention the peace of mind you will have, knowing that your gift is secure from theft and fraud. Or is it?

Maybe you should think again.Thieves and fraudsters are nothing if not resourceful; they always have an eye for the main chance, and they tend to be one step ahead of the rest of us when it comes to the uptake of new technology. Needless to say, the humble gift card has not escaped their illicit attentions.

Here's how the scam works. Store gift cards are usually temptingly show-cased on a display rack. Along comes the fraudster and notes down the card numbers. A few days later he checks online to see if the card has been purchased, activated and has had money loaded on to it. If so, the scammer is then able to use the card number to buy goods on the internet.

Obviously there are a few restrictions on this racket. It doesn't work for all gift cards, only those that allow Card Not Present (CNP) transactions. I.e., it only works with gift cards that can be used for online purchases. Most gift card display stands are located close to a check-out counter, so they are likely to be constantly under the surveillance of security cameras, and staff might get suspicious if someone seemed to be hanging around tampering with gift cards and their packaging. Bear in mind, however, that much in-store crime is perpetrated by staff rather than 'customers', so make sure you don't rely solely on the store and its employees to protect you.

But gift cards, book tokens, they are all a bit of a cop out, aren't they? Are you really too busy to think of a proper, appropriate, personal gift for your loved ones; something that the recipient may actually be delighted to unwrap on Christmas morning? Yes, me too. All those times I've tramped round the stores at the last minute on Christmas Eve, desperate to buy something, ANYTHING, just so I can go home, sit down, relax, have a drink, and get the holiday under way. Let's face it, 9 times out of 10 the ungrateful wretch won't even appreciate my over-priced, lovingly gift-wrapped (on the bedroom floor, in desperation, at midnight on Christmas Eve, after 20 minutes tearing the house apart searching for a pair of scissors that actually CUT and a roll of Sellotape), offering.

So my final verdict: gift cards are absolutely fine, just as long as you are on your guard. If you do decide to buy one, make sure you have your wits about you. Have a good look for any signs of tampering and make sure that the packaging has not been peeled back to expose the PIN number. Ask the assistant to scan the card to validate the cash amount loaded on to it, and always retain your receipt until the card is finished with.