Curious to know if anyone here buy gift cards for their friends or family. I just watched a segment on the telly about gift cards and what a scam they are. If you don't read the fine print on the gift cards, you're in for it.
For example, did you know.....
a) some gift cards will charge you interest if you don't use it within 18 months of purchase?
b) most companies will NOT pay your money if you don't decide to use your card?
c) you would have to spend extra $$ to get your money's worth out of the gift card as companies will not pay you the balance?
d) there are some thieves who can actually get your card number (see story below) and 'use' your card?
Since watching that show, I'm more leery about these gift cards. [FONT size=6]Gift Card Scam[/FONT]
Gift cards can be the perfect present. Easy to carry, easy to wrap, easy to use. But gift cards, especially those good for buying things online, are becoming the target of thieves.
Scam artists don't steal gift cards from the store or out of your pocket. Instead, they go to gift card racks and write down the card numbers. After a few days they call the toll-free customer service number to check the remaining balance on the card. Once they find the card has been activated, the thieves go online and start shopping with your card.
If you buy gift cards from a display rack in the store, you may become a victim.
Tips to avoid gift card scams:
[UL] [LI]Buy gift cards from the person behind the counter if you can. It's safer than buying it off the rack. [LI]Opt for gift cards that have a protective backing or a scratch-off PIN number so that only the purchaser can use it. [LI]Check the packaging or the back of the card for tampering before you purchase the card. [LI]Always keep your receipts, which will usually show the card number and how much you have paid.[/LI][/UL] [A href="vny!://www.gov.on.ca/MGS/en/ConsProt/133718.html"][FONT size=1]vny!://www.gov.on.ca/MGS/en/ConsProt/133718.html[/FONT][/A]