Arvada, Colorado - Suzanne Gdovic recently fell victim to a 'card draining' scam when she unknowingly purchased a gift card with zero balance as a present for her friend's daughter. This type of scam involves criminals stealing batches of gift cards from stores, noting down the card number and activation code, and then returning the cards to store shelves with the intention of stealing the loaded funds before the recipient can use them.

Police have issued warnings about a rise in such scams during the holiday season, as last-minute shoppers are more susceptible to falling prey to these fraudulent schemes. In fact, a recent study conducted by the Better Business Bureau reveals that reports of gift card scams have surged by 50% this year alone.

Suzanne had purchased a $200 Target gift card back in September, unaware that it had been tampered with. Several weeks later, the recipient of the gift card informed her of the zero balance and a message appeared on the cashier's screen indicating that the card was linked to someone else's account.

Upset about losing her money, Suzanne promptly visited the local Target store to investigate the situation. The store manager informed her about the scam, explaining how criminals scrape off the metallic strip on the gift card, access the activation number, and then expertly replace the strip. Suzanne not only demanded the removal of all compromised cards from the shelves but also contacted Target's corporate office to resolve the issue.

Unfortunately, Target did not respond to inquiries from DailyMail.com regarding the incident. Nevertheless, Suzanne eventually received a refund for the gift card in November, two months after the initial purchase. However, she noted that the refund letter did not mention the scam, emphasizing the need for retailers to assist in preventing such fraud and ensuring customer satisfaction.

The scam is not limited to Target; other retailers, including Apple, Amazon, and Visa Vanilla gift cards, have also been targeted by criminals using various tactics to dupe shoppers. Some fraudsters discreetly open sealed envelopes holding gift cards, remove the activation code portion, and then place the tampered card back in the envelope. They later scan the bar code on the envelope to add funds, which they subsequently steal.

To protect themselves, shoppers are urged to check gift cards for signs of tampering, such as scratches or scuff marks near the bar code, ensure the card is sealed and the protective cover on the pin or activation code is intact, and verify that the entire card is present and not missing any parts. Furthermore, keeping the store receipt is advisable in case the card is compromised, allowing customers to report the incident and freeze the funds while requesting a refund.

Law enforcement agencies are actively working to combat these scams. In a recent case, Ningning Sun was arrested for tampering with gift cards in a Target store in Sacramento. Detectives discovered over 5,000 stolen cards from Target and Apple in Sun's possession, implicating him in a widespread gift card scam operating across California and other regions.

As the holiday season continues, it is crucial for shoppers to exercise caution when purchasing gift cards and remain vigilant against potential scams. By being aware and proactive, individuals can protect themselves and their loved ones from falling victim to these fraudulent practices.