Gift Card Scams are Abundent During the Holidays

As the holiday season ramps up, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is warning consumers about gift card scams. Fraudsters often target shoppers by offering fake deals or tampering with gift cards in stores. To avoid falling victim, DATCP recommends purchasing gift cards only from authorized sellers, checking for tampering before buying, and being cautious when using balance-checking websites. Consumers should also treat gift cards like cash, activate them only when needed, and report any issues immediately. For more tips, visit DATCP’s Consumer Protection webpage or contact their hotline.