Gift cards are a popular present but be cautious of scams. Only buy from reputable stores and never share the card details with anyone.

Being wary of gift card scams during Christmas is important to protect yourself from fraud. Here are some key reasons why…

Gift cards are popular because they are easy to find and buy, and they have fewer protections compared to other payment methods. Once a scammer gets the gift card information, the transaction is often irreversible

Scammers can tamper with gift cards on display racks by recording the activation codes or placing fake barcodes over the real ones. This allows them to drain the funds as soon as the card is activated

Scammers may send emails or texts pretending to be from legitimate companies, asking you to verify your gift card information. These messages often contain links to fake websites designed to steal your personal information

Be cautious of buying gift cards from online marketplaces or social media. Scammers may sell you empty or fake gift cards, or take your money without sending anything in return

Scammers might impersonate someone you know or trust, asking you to buy gift cards for them as a favour. They often create a sense of urgency or an emotional story to pressure you into acting quickly

Some scammers set up fake websites or phone services that claim to check your gift card balance. When you enter your card details, they steal the information and drain the funds

To protect yourself:

Buy gift cards directly from reputable retailers.

Inspect the packaging for signs of tampering.

Avoid sharing gift card information with anyone you don't know personally.

Use official websites or apps to check gift card balances.

By staying vigilant, you can enjoy a safer holiday season.

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Police Scotland's North East Division covers rural and urban areas in Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City.  The division has five territorial command areas which have their own dedicated Area Commander, who is responsible for the daily policing function.  Each command area is served by a number of community policing teams whose activities are built around the needs of the local community.  These teams respond to local calls and look for long term solutions to key issues.  They are assisted by the division's Crime Reduction Unit who deliver against Force and local priorities in a number of areas, including physical and social crime prevention, supporting and enhancing community engagement and creating and sustaining strong and effective partnership working.