According to the the Better Business Bureau, gift cards are considered by many to be a popular and convenient gift-giving option – especially around the holidays. According to a new study from Capital One Shopping,

Scammers take advantage of this time of year by posing as legitimate businesses or government agencies and pressuring unsuspecting victims to make payments via gift cards. According to recent data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans lost nearly $217 million to gift card scams last year alone.

You get an email saying you've won a free gift card. You might think it’s possible, given that every shop now asks for your email address and enters you into prize drawings. But it’s actually a scam.

As people finish their holiday shopping, the Better Business Bureau is warning others of potential scams. Carl Bates, president of the BBB’s Central and South Alabama office, said that in the past few weeks,

It is the holiday shopping season and many people elect to buy gift cards, however, there are some things to remember before you buy them, or if you receive them.

While gift cards are a convenient gift to give this holiday season, they can also be a target for scammers. Law enforcement agencies are warning about a scam called “card draining.” Essentially, a scammer will take the pin and card number off a gift card, and then use the information to siphon the money.

Gift cards are a popular choice for holiday gift-giving, offering convenience and flexibility. However, they have also become a prime target for scammers, lead