How you can avoid complex gift card scams and package thefts
December 12, 2023 – CBS News Boston
It seems to be happening more and more each holiday season. People stealing packages off people’s porches before they’re able to get home and bring it inside.
It happened to a couple in Boston over the weekend. Meredith and Cory said their Dorchester apartment’s security camera caught a man allegedly stealing packages from them and their neighbors around six Sunday morning. Despite these packages being placed inside the vestibule, surveillance video shows the man opened the door, grabbed the packages, and placed them in bags before he walked away.
It’s not just so-called “porch pirates” looking to put a damper on the holiday gift giving, scammers are getting more creative than ever.
Police in Braintree are warning of gift card scams after they arrested two women on Monday for their part in a gift card scamming ring. The women were arrested after stealing gift cards from a CVS.
Cyber security experts like Chris Peltz of GuidePoint Security, said people are uploading more money than ever on gift cards. It is has made it a lucrative business for scammers.
“We are seeing gift card scams become more common and more complex,” said Peltz.
He offered this advice for consumers. “You absolutely want to take your time. Make sure no seals have been tampered with and doesn’t look like it’s been bent or manipulated. I like to buy gift cards from the back of the rack,” Peltz said. “They are less likely to be swapped by a scammer.”
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