National Seniors Australia
GIFT cards have become a reliable answer to the question of what to buy someone who already has everything.
But a scam known as “card draining” means the gift card you pick from a legitimate supermarket display could already be compromised.
Unlike many scams targeting older Australians, card draining does not begin with a suspicious text, phone call or email. The criminal may have tampered with the card before you even arrive at the store.
Criminals take inactive gift cards from displays, carefully open the packaging and record the card number and redemption code before resealing the package and returning it to the shelf.
There is no money to steal until an unsuspecting customer buys the card and it is activated.
Once that happens, criminals can use the stolen details to spend the balance, potentially leaving the shopper unaware anything is wrong until the card is given as a present weeks later.
National Seniors Australia has warned consumers to carefully inspect gift cards following reports of tampered Apple cards being discovered on supermarket shelves.
Customers have reported opening cards to find scratched-off numbers, missing redemption codes or balances that have already been redeemed, with reported losses ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
The organisation also highlighted a NSW case in which police found dozens of Apple and iTunes gift cards after investigating a man accused of tampering with cards at several Sydney supermarkets.
Shoppers can reduce their risk by closely inspecting packaging before heading to the checkout.
Look for torn or bent edges, scratches, cuts, unusual glue or signs a seal has been lifted and replaced. If anything looks suspicious, leave the card and alert store staff.
Cards kept behind a service counter may also reduce the risk of physical tampering.
After purchasing a gift card, keep the receipt and packaging until it has been successfully redeemed and encourage the recipient to check the balance and use it reasonably quickly.
Digital gift cards bought directly from a retailer’s official website can avoid the risk of someone physically tampering with cards displayed in stores.
There is also another golden rule seniors should remember: legitimate government agencies, police, banks and technology companies will not demand payment using gift cards.
Anyone asking you to urgently buy gift cards and provide the numbers or redemption codes should immediately raise alarm bells.
Gift cards remain a convenient present, but shoppers should add one simple habit before reaching the checkout.
Pick it up, turn it over and take a good look – prevent a welcome present becoming a gift to a scammer.
