Dustin Gandof
Gift cards have become a popular gift option for all occasions, but if you’re planning to buy one from the display rack at the store, you may want to think twice. The gift card scam has become a pervasive problem that holiday shoppers in British Columbia and elsewhere have fallen victim to. Scammers have found a way to remove gift cards from the display rack, write down their numbers, and then put them back on the shelf. This scam is just one reason why you should avoid buying gift cards from a store’s display rack.
Another significant reason to avoid buying gift cards from the display rack is the potential for fraud. Scammers can create counterfeit cards or clone the data on the card, making it impossible for you or the gift recipient to use the gift card. If you purchase a gift card from the store’s display rack, you’re taking a gamble with your hard-earned money, and there’s no guarantee that the card’s value will still be available when the recipient tries to redeem it.
On the other hand, purchasing digital gift cards from reputable retailers or restaurants, such as TouchBistro, can be a safer option. Unlike physical cards, digital gift cards are usually sent via email or SMS, and you can easily track when and where they were used. Furthermore, some digital gift cards come with fraud protection, which means that the card issuer will refund the lost or stolen value if necessary.
In conclusion, purchasing gift cards from the display rack at a store can be a risky endeavor due to the high likelihood of fraud and scams. Shopping online or purchasing digital gift cards from reputable merchants is a safer alternative that provides better security and peace of mind. Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is, so take precautionary measures when buying gift cards or any other item.
