LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)– Many individuals are looking for Christmas items, and for some, grabbing a present card is a straightforward reward to seize when you aren’t certain a few particular merchandise.
Michigan Lawyer Common Dana Nessel is warning residents about reward card scams as a part of her ‘Vacation Scams Marketing campaign’.
The Federal Commerce Fee (FTC) studies that in 2023, customers reported $217 million in reward card-related fraud.
“Gift cards are a convenient and popular gift option, but they’ve also become a favorite tool for scammers,” mentioned Nessel in a information launch. “Education and vigilance are key to combatting gift card fraud. Stay informed and report suspicious activity to help protect yourself and your loved ones from these schemes.”
Listed here are some methods to keep away from falling for reward card scams:
By no means use reward playing cards to pay money owed. Reward playing cards are supposed for gifting—not for paying payments or fines.
Be skeptical of pressing cost requests. Official organizations is not going to strain you to behave instantly.
Confirm claims independently. Contact the corporate or particular person instantly utilizing verified contact data.
Be cautious with on-line and cellphone interactions. Don’t share reward card particulars except you’re certain of the recipient’s legitimacy.
Nessel says scammers use these strategies to lure victims:
Authorities Businesses: Fraudsters impersonate officers from the IRS or Social Safety Administration, demanding cost for again taxes or fines. Reality: No authentic authorities company will demand instant cost, particularly by way of reward playing cards.
Tech Assist: Scammers pose as representatives from Apple or Microsoft, alleging points along with your laptop. They request cost by way of reward card and will try to achieve distant entry to your gadget.
Household or Pals in Emergencies: Utilizing AI or voice cloning, scammers can impersonate family members, claiming they’re in pressing want of assist. Confirm such claims independently.
Sweepstakes or Prizes: Fraudsters say you’ve received a prize however should pay charges with a present card to assert it. Ask your self: Did you even enter the competition?
Utility Corporations: Imposters threaten to close off your energy or water except you pay with a present card. Official utility corporations don’t settle for reward playing cards as cost.
Romantic Scams: Scammers on courting web sites could enchantment to feelings, convincing victims to ship reward playing cards as a type of monetary help.
Pretend Overpayments: Scammers ship counterfeit checks for greater than the agreed quantity, asking victims to make use of reward playing cards to refund the distinction.
Lastly, When you’ve bought a present card and have shared the cardboard quantity and PIN with a scammer, observe these steps:
Report the Rip-off to the Reward Card Issuer: Contact the corporate instantly. Some issuers, akin to Amazon and Walmart, have packages to assist recuperate funds.
Request a Refund: Clarify the state of affairs to the cardboard issuer. Whereas refunds aren’t assured, corporations are rising efforts to fight fraud.
Report the Rip-off to Authorities: File a report with the FTC and the Lawyer Common’s Client Safety Crew. These studies assist legislation enforcement establish patterns and cease scammers.
Click on right here to see all of Nessel’s vacation rip-off alerts.
