NBC ran a segment recently on gift cards and how people are losing money. It’s disappointing.
Thieves are collecting gift card data before they are purchased. And as soon as the gift card is purchased they siphon the money from the card.
It’s quite frustrating.
One of the NBC journalists purchased a handful of cards in NYC to see if any would be drained. One ended up being drained by the time she purchased the cards and returned home to check the balances.
What’s worse, is no one is taking accountability.
Customers who lose money are sent on a wild goose chase to figure out how to get their money back.
Authorities are not sure if people are collecting the data from cards in transit to the stores or at the stores.
All in all – avoid physical gift cards.
Also, don’t use gift card amount checkers online. Just call the number on the back of the card or visit the website on the card. Don’t Google “check gift card amount,” you’re asking to get ripped off.