Gardner MA Police Department Warns of Gift Card Barcode Scam
Gardner PD posted, “Our department responded to a report of a gift card barcode scam. This is where scammers place a fraudulent barcode over the real one at local retail stores. When the card is purchased, the fake barcode is scanned, and your money gets sent to the scammer’s account.”
| Possible Ways to Protect Yourself |
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| Compare the barcode numbers printed on the card with those on the packaging. |
| Look for any signs that the package has been tampered with. |
| Check if the barcode peels off easily. |
| If possible, view inside the packaging to see if the fake code is visible. |
| When the gift card is scanned by the cashier, the type of gift card should be shown on the point-of-sale. If there is a discrepancy between the card and the machine, cancel the transaction. |
Other gift card scams include imposters who demand gift card payments over the phone. Reasons sound legit, but it’s a scam. Even if the caller knows your social security number (which they can buy illegally) it’s a SCAM. Even if it seems to be from a friend or family member, it’s a SCAM, as with today’s AI technology voices can be faked. If you’ve already been scammed, contact your bank and protect yourself by filing a police report with law enforcement. Contact the retailer or gift card issuer. For more information, the Federal Trade Commission maintains a website. CLICK HERE.