Mobile PD Warns of Tricky Vanilla Gift Card Scam: MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) The Mobile Police Department wants to give y’all a heads up about a worrisome matter we’ve noticed this holiday season. We’ve seen a notable uptick in cases involving messed-with Vanilla Gift cards. It’s been brought to our attention that some unknown folks are tinkering with the legit gift cards, swapping them with fake ones. Then, folks load cash onto these doctored cards, and the funds end up in the hands of these troublemakers.
To keep yourself and your folks safe from falling prey to this scam, here are some suggestions:
Attached is a snap of the back of a bogus Vanilla Gift card.
Buy Gift Cards with a Watchful Eye: When snagging gift cards, give the packaging a good once-over for any signs of tampering or strange changes. If something seems fishy, holler at the store folks and let the law know.
Check Gift Card Integrity: Before tossing money onto a gift card, make sure no one’s been messing with it. If you’re unsure about a gift card’s realness, ask the store crew for a hand.
Hang on to Receipts and Docs: Always keep your receipts and any paperwork linked to your gift card buys. This info could be a real lifesaver if you run into any problems.
Report Anything Shady: If you think you’ve been taken in by this scam or have seen any shady business with gift card tampering, give the Mobile Police Department a holler right away.
Our aim is to make sure our community folks stay safe and sound during this festive season. By keeping a sharp eye and following these tips, we can all pitch in to tackle this scam head-on.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Is there a phone scam asking for gift cards?
Avoid anyone who advises purchasing a gift card, such as a Google Play or Apple Card, and revealing the card’s numbers. This is always a scam, despite their claims. Legitimate organizations never request payment via gift card. Remember to retain a copy of your gift card and store receipt at all times.
How do I get out of a gift card scam?
If someone tells you to use a gift card for payment, they’re likely trying to scam you. Once you give out the gift card number and pin, your money is likely gone for good. If this has happened to you, immediately reach out to the company that issued the gift card and report the incident to the FTC.
Is asking to be paid by gift card always a scam?
Scammers often pull off gift card scams through phone calls, pretending to be from a tech support company, popular organization, or government agency. They use fear tactics, threatening victims with fines, fake fees, and even jail time if they don’t comply by sending them gift cards as payment. Be on alert for these imposters trying to swindle you out of your hard-earned money.
How does card draining work?
A scammer swipes a gift card, carefully noting down the card number and security code without raising any suspicion. They then seal it back up, making it nearly impossible to spot the tampering. When an unsuspecting buyer loads money onto the card, the scammer swiftly drains the funds, leaving the legitimate owner high and dry.