Police warn of gift card scams

If you’re doing some Boxing Day shopping, the Regina Police Service (RPS) is warning that you may run into gift card fraud.

Scams concerning gift cards are much more common during the holidays, according to the RPS. In particular, scammers are trying to trick people into using them as payment.

It usually starts with a phone call, email, or text message; often the scammer is posing as a government agency, a bank, or some kind of business, sometimes even “spoofing” the phone number to make themselves seem more legitimate. They may demand you pay them back not in cash, but in gift cards.

They may also instruct you to buy a card, scratch off the material on the back side, and send them codes.

The RPS says if you’re uncertain or suspicious, you can take the information they provide and report it to police. The most important thing to remember is that gift cards are supposed to be a gift, not a way to pay outstanding debts, taxes, utilities or living expenses.

The provincial government also recently issued a warning about gift cards, reminding shoppers that gift cards shouldn’t have expiry dates, additional fees or sales tax attached, or have damaged or torn packaging.