If you’re gifting or receiving a gift card this holiday season, cyber security experts want to warn you about a scam called “card draining”.

A Guidepoint Security advisor explains, “Scammers will replace a barcode on the back of a card with a card they have. So while we’re buying that card, we think we’re adding value to the card we’re buying. And we’re actually adding value to a scammers card!”

Scammers are also stealing info from a store’s gift card and putting it back on the shelf.  Then the thieves steal any value you add to that card before your recipient get it.

To protect your gift card, buy directly from the retailer online or thoroughly check the packaging of any card you may buy in store.

 https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/recalls/buying-a-gift-card-this-holiday-cyber-security-expert-warns-of-card-draining-scam/