LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- As the holidays ramp up, it's important to be cautious of purchasing gift cards as a gift for your loved ones.
Scammers are targeting gift cards, swapping them out for other gift cards while in stores or taking the card information for a later use.
Stores have taken extraordinary measures the past few years to make gift cards more secure against tampering.
But if they are hanging on a rack and there's no cashiers nearby, there's always a slight risk.
AARP said 21% of adults say they're given or received a gift card with no value, usually due to scammers.
Scammers will go into stores and take cards from the rack, take pictures of them to have the information for later use, then put them back.
Once someone buys them and activates it, the money is available for the scammer to use.
When buying gift cards, look for signs of tampering or purchase electronic gift cards from the store website.
More local business stories:
- Palmyra Fire Department unveils new fire station in southern Indiana
- Buffalo sculptures unveiled at Louisville restaurant honor the area's past
- Employees of new Stellar Snacks plant hope investment will spark growth in west Louisville
- What could be next for Louisville's Mid City Mall as it is listed for sale
