Gift card draining scam arrests in California

[WhatInThe]

Scammers/thieves from a gift card draining operation arrested caught using 200 CVSs for their operation. Suspects arrested with 10,000 gift cards during a traffic stop. A subsequent search of a hotel room turned up 15,000 gift cards

https://ktla.com/news/california/cv...te-california-gift-card-draining-scam-police/

The scam has the theives steal and/or record/alter activation information on a gift card. They reseal the gift card packaging and put them back on the shelf. When a customer actually buys the gift card and store activates it the thieves use the card information before that actual customer does. Thus the customer finds their card 'drained'

I guess double check the condition of original packaging and card. And make sure to get a gift receipt along with the original receipt.

 

[Oldeagle66]

I've never been scammed by gift cards because I just never used one. For some reason I just don't like them. Even the ones I received as gifts. They all end up in a drawer somewhere, and maybe a few in my wallet that are expired.

 

[IrishEyes]

Since my family use their phones for everything I been buying the phone gift cards.
They get it by email or text, I get a text when they get it then when they activate it.
They seem to use them more doing it this way than sending a card.
They just pay by scanning their phone screen, makes them feel cool I guess.