The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
Oceanside Chamber

BLOG

Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
  • Oceanside
    • About Oceanside >
      • History of Oceanside
      • Demographics
      • Arts and Culture
      • Education
      • Employment
      • Health Care
      • Religious Organizations
      • Local Government and Services
      • Retiring in Oceanside
      • Oceanside Maps
    • Visitor Information >
      • Beaches
      • Accommodations
      • Groups and Meeting
    • Things to Do >
      • Oceanside Events >
        • Downtown History Walks
        • Farmers Market
        • Sunset Market
      • Shopping >
        • Coupons
      • Dining
      • Surfing
      • Regional Attractions
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Business Directory
    • All Categories
    • Coupons
    • New Members
  • Media
    • Publications >
      • Advertising Your Business
      • Best of Oceanside Magazine
      • Military Publications
    • Member News
    • Blog
    • Advancing Oceanside Podcast
  • Chamber
    • Membership >
      • Member Portal
      • Application
      • Testimonials >
        • Digital Plaque - Oceanside Chamber Member
    • Advocacy >
      • Chamber Political Action Committee
      • Public Policy Guidelines
    • Our Work >
      • 2023 Annual Report
      • 2023 Strategic Priorities
      • Committees - Task Forces - Forums
    • Oceanside Young Professionals
    • Oceanside Leadership Academy
    • Workforce Development >
      • SOCAL Workforce
      • Pooled Employer Plan
      • Kindness
      • Frontline Friendly
    • Our Team >
      • Chamber Staff
    • Chamber Trip: Sights of Scotland
    • Privacy Policy
  • Events
    • Signature Chamber Events >
      • Meet the City of Oceanside
      • Armed Forces Day Operation Appreciation
      • Coastal Business Expo
      • North County Health Fair
      • Heroes of Oceanside and Camp Pendleton
      • Oceanside Senior Showcase
      • Rising Star Student Program
    • Monthly Chamber Events
    • Annual OCC Mixer Passs
    • Oceanside Community Events
  • Resources
    • Community Resources
    • Local Business Resources
    • Military Resources
    • Sustainability Resources

Gift Card Season is Here; What to Know about Scams

5/24/2023

 
Picture
By District Attorney Summer Stephan

You’ve likely seen the rows and rows of colorful gift cards at the supermarket. There’s practically one for every retailer and the ability to purchase a gift card while grocery shopping is the epitome of convenience.


But as with anything, there is a dark side to having gift cards hanging within easy reach of fingertips and scammers have found a way to exploit the convenience through card skimming or card swapping.

Before you buy that graduation or wedding gift card, keep reading.

Card skimming
For this scam, the fraudster has already copied the unique gift card bar code number and PIN from the gift card. When an unsuspecting consumer buys and activates that gift card, the fraudster, who already has the barcode number and PIN, uses those funds before the legitimate consumer makes a purchase or the fraudster siphons the funds from the card.

Tip:
  • Make sure the PIN number on the card you purchase has not yet been scratched off.

Card swapping
Card swapping involves a scammer stealing a stack of physical cards from the retail store outlet and then replacing original barcode with a counterfeit barcode sticker. The scammer will then return the cards to the store and re-hang them on the rack. When a consumer purchases and loads one of the cards with cash, the money goes directly into the fraudster’s bank account rather than the gift card. When the consumer tries to use the gift card the balance is $0.

The consumer will have no idea the funds they loaded were stolen until they attempt to use the card. The business will show the funds were loaded on the card but be unaware it was actually loaded to a counterfeit account.

Tip:
  • When buying a gift card, opt for the ones that are kept under lock and key by the retailer.
  • Always check that the barcode is original and does not appear to be tampered with.
  • There should not be a sticker on top of the original barcode.

The DA’s Consumer Protection Unit is composed of Deputy District Attorneys, Investigators and Paralegals dedicated to protecting consumers and law-abiding businesses from fraudulent or unfair business practices. To report a consumer complaint, you can call (619) 531-3507 or email [email protected].

As your District Attorney, I’m committed to increasing communication and accessibility between the DA’s Office and the public in order to keep you safe. I hope these consumer and public safety tips have been helpful.

Comments are closed.

    Categories

    All
    Advocacy
    Arts And Culture
    Business
    Camp Pendleton
    Community
    Education
    Emerging Issues
    Entertainment
    Events
    Finance
    Health And Wellness
    History Of Oceanside
    Home
    Military
    Photo Blogs
    Political Action
    Resources
    Restaurants
    Ribbon Cuttings
    Senior Living
    Technology
    Visit Oceanside
    Women
    Workforce Development

    Archives

    March 2025
    December 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014

    RSS Feed

Copyright © 2023 Oceanside Chamber of Commerce
928 N. Coast Highway | Oceanside, CA 92054
Tel 760-722-1534 
[email protected]
Privacy Policy
Map/Directions
Picture
  • Oceanside
    • About Oceanside >
      • History of Oceanside
      • Demographics
      • Arts and Culture
      • Education
      • Employment
      • Health Care
      • Religious Organizations
      • Local Government and Services
      • Retiring in Oceanside
      • Oceanside Maps
    • Visitor Information >
      • Beaches
      • Accommodations
      • Groups and Meeting
    • Things to Do >
      • Oceanside Events >
        • Downtown History Walks
        • Farmers Market
        • Sunset Market
      • Shopping >
        • Coupons
      • Dining
      • Surfing
      • Regional Attractions
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Business Directory
    • All Categories
    • Coupons
    • New Members
  • Media
    • Publications >
      • Advertising Your Business
      • Best of Oceanside Magazine
      • Military Publications
    • Member News
    • Blog
    • Advancing Oceanside Podcast
  • Chamber
    • Membership >
      • Member Portal
      • Application
      • Testimonials >
        • Digital Plaque - Oceanside Chamber Member
    • Advocacy >
      • Chamber Political Action Committee
      • Public Policy Guidelines
    • Our Work >
      • 2023 Annual Report
      • 2023 Strategic Priorities
      • Committees - Task Forces - Forums
    • Oceanside Young Professionals
    • Oceanside Leadership Academy
    • Workforce Development >
      • SOCAL Workforce
      • Pooled Employer Plan
      • Kindness
      • Frontline Friendly
    • Our Team >
      • Chamber Staff
    • Chamber Trip: Sights of Scotland
    • Privacy Policy
  • Events
    • Signature Chamber Events >
      • Meet the City of Oceanside
      • Armed Forces Day Operation Appreciation
      • Coastal Business Expo
      • North County Health Fair
      • Heroes of Oceanside and Camp Pendleton
      • Oceanside Senior Showcase
      • Rising Star Student Program
    • Monthly Chamber Events
    • Annual OCC Mixer Passs
    • Oceanside Community Events
  • Resources
    • Community Resources
    • Local Business Resources
    • Military Resources
    • Sustainability Resources