Message from West Yorkshire Community Alert
A bit early for Christmas I know but this is something that is becoming an issue all over the UK and one you need to be aware of.
We’re seeing a rise in a scam called gift card draining, where criminals steal money from gift cards before you even use them.
How it works:
Scammers tamper with cards in shops—recording the card number and PIN, then resealing the packaging. Once you buy and load the card, they quickly drain the funds online.
We believe blank cards are being stolen from stores, tampered with, then replaced in the store. The criminals then just wait and see what is loaded up.
Protect yourself:
- Inspect cards for signs of tampering.
- Buy from secure displays or behind the counter.
- Register your card online immediately, if possible.
- Avoid third-party sellers offering discounted cards.
- Never pay bills or fines with gift cards—it’s a common scam tactic.
If you’re affected, report it to the retailer and Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
