Don't Get "Carded" This Holiday

'Tis the season for gift cards!  They're quick, easy, and let people choose the gifts they want. But here are a few tips to keep them safe and working the way they should, whether you are giving or receiving:

🎁 Physical cards are safer than digital ones.

If you're buying a gift card in a store, grab one from the middle or back of the rack, not the front. Scammers sometimes tamper with cards on display, scratching off the code or swapping stickers. Also, check that the protective strip over the code hasn't been peeled back.

📧 Be very cautious with emailed or texted gift cards.

If someone sends you a digital gift card, it's usually fine.  But if someone asks you to buy and send them one (especially iTunes, Google Play, or Visa gift cards), stop. That's a classic scam. Real businesses, charities, and government agencies, and friends, never ask for payment via gift card.

💳 Redeem or register them soon.

Once you receive a gift card, use it or register it on the store's website if that's an option. That way, if the physical card gets lost, the balance is still tied to your account.

🛒 Treat them like cash.

Don't share the card number or PIN with anyone unless you're actively making a purchase. And if a website asks you to "verify" a gift card balance by entering all your info, be skeptical . . . go directly to the store's official site instead.

Bottom line: 

Gift cards are convenient, but they're a

lso a favorite tool for scammers. A little caution now saves a lot of frustration later.