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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023 Page 11 BBB Study: Growth of gift card scams causes retailers to innovate solutions A s the holiday shopping season grows near, consumers should be extra alert to scams. More people reported gift card fraud to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam TrackerSM this year, with a 50% increase compared to last year. Online shoppers were hit the hardest. Since BBB issued its 2021 study, “Gift Card Payment Scams, BBB reveals why scammers love gift cards,” scammers have doubled down on gift cards as a method to steal money from consumers while the public embraces digital versions of the cards. For years, scammers preferred a gift card as payment because it’s treated like cash. If a victim is convinced to hand over the 16-digit code and PIN, the money is instantly in the scammer’s pockets. With the introduction of mobile wallets and virtual gift card compatibility over the years, gift cards are more convenient, allowing money to be shuttled across the world in a matter of seconds. Some industry partnerships between retailers and law enforcement have had success in stopping scammers. One initiative started the process of returning more than $4 million in stolen funds to consumers. However, scammers remain resourceful. How do gift card scams work? Scammers persuade individuals to purchase gift cards by impersonating online sellers, pet breeders, government or sweepstakes offi cials and others. They frequently change their methods of getting consumers to pay with cards instead of money, making them hard to stop. In most instances, scammers ask people to buy gift cards and send them the bar code and PIN on the back. Gift cards are essentially cash, meaning anyone who has the code can spend the amount on the card. Sometimes scammers ask for a popular brand (Apple Inc., Google, Target Corporation, Walmart, Best Buy), and other times they ask for a general-use card, such as a Visa Vanilla or American Express gift card. In both cases, scammers want the card number. Some scams involve fraudsters going to stores where gift cards are sold, recording the numbers from the cards and attempting to steal the funds after the cards are loaded. There have also been instances of outright forgery of cards, like one involving a “lab” bust in Canada earlier this year. However, most reports to BBB are the result of fraudsters impersonating sellers, businesses or governmental agencies in order to convince consumers to send them gift cards. Persuading victims that they have an unpaid tax bill, owe fi nes or have a hacked personal account are all common ruses used as part of gift card scams. Losses from scams involving gift cards tend to be much higher than in most other payment methods, ranking third behind wire transfers and cryptocurrency, according to a 2022 BBB Institute for Market Trust report. Gift cards are treated like cash, which makes stolen funds hard to recover. Last year no consumers reported to BBB Institute that they recovered money sent in a gift card scam. What are scammers doing with gift cards? While gift cards might seem harder to spend than cash, fraudsters are able to spend stolen gift cards quickly through networks of associates working in both North America and other countries. BBB reviewed court fi lings and victim reports and talked with experts to track how these scams operate from start to fi nish. In many cases, gift card fraud involves a complex, multinational network preying upon vulnerable populations. At least 15 reports to BBB since 2020 involve FBI impersonation, with many other government agencies being used for ruses as well, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security. Another dozen pretended to be from Microsoft Corporation, one of many businesses impersonated in gift card scams. Online shoppers are at high risk for encountering gift card scams, according to BBB data. Technology companies like Apple and Google are popular gift card sources for scammers because they can purchase pricey items like computers and resell them later. Millions of dollars are lost on these types of scams each year, according to Federal Trade Commission data. BBB recommends state and federal law enforcement agencies continue collaboration with retailers and add additional programs to help consumers recover funds. State regulators should work with federal law enforcement to develop best practices and create a coalition to share best practices and go after international scammers. Stopping gift card scams Experts interviewed by BBB say the instantaneous transfer of funds from one party to another enables fraudsters to act fast, either spending the money or shuffl ing the money onto a new gift card to obscure their crime. Recently, retailers most aff ected by gift card scams began partnering with authorities to sniff out the digital trail left behind during gift card purchases to catch scammers in the act. Public education remains the number one method of deterrence, said Martha Weaver, a member of the board of directors for the Retail Gift Card Association, because alert consumers can often spot a scam before any money changes hands. With most gift card scams involving organized crime outside North America, experts, including Weaver, want consumers equipped with enough knowledge to combat scammers when confronted. “Scams are creating that level of fear or angst or urgency,” she said. Consumers should slow down and even hang up the phone if they fear they are being scammed, no matter what the person on the line is saying to them. In cases where people have PETS | FROM Page 6 has ingested something harmful include: • Gastrointestinal issues: vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and abdominal pain. • Behavioral changes: lethargy, depression and weakness. In severe cases, pets might display elevated heart and respiratory rates, pale gums or loss of consciousness. Do not attempt to induce vomiting at home as it can be diffi cult and unsafe. When to seek veterinary care: Pet owners are advised to act promptly if they witness or suspect their pet has ingested something toxic. Call your veterinarian immediately or Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. Early intervention and decontamination can prevent lifethreatening complications. “Most pet emergencies that take place during the holidays involve the ingestion of turkey bones,” said Dr. Coronado. “It could be too late if you wait until your pet shows symptoms. If you plan to take your pet with you when you travel over the holidays, determine ahead of time where you could take your pet if they need immediate veterinary care.” Veterinary care during the holidays: When seeking veterinary attention for your pet over the holidays, Dr. Coronado recommends: sent money to scammers, businesses are continually revising their rules around refunds and crediting consumers. Weaver said victims should keep receipts and any other digital evidence about their purchase, which can be used in the investigation and may lead to future refunds. “Brands are much more willing to help recoup,” said Weaver. “Some brands are starting to put together funds to help victims. It impacts their reputation. They have to have a good one, or people won’t buy [their cards].” Red fl ags for potential gift card scams • Businesses or governmental agencies requesting gift cards • Cold calls about overdue tax payments • Paying for services or items with unrelated gift cards • Online sellers requesting gift cards as payment • Anyone asking to be sent a number or PIN over the phone or email • Promises to be reimbursed through check • A message from a work superior asking to purchase gift cards BBB tips to avoid falling for a gift card scam • Be on guard if anyone ever asks for payment through a gift card. • Stop immediately if a person claiming to be from the government asks for a gift card. • Contact the gift card seller, the actual business and government organization supposedly asking for money, and BBB to ask whether you are encountering a scam. • Keep all information related to purchase if scammed. Where to report a gift card scam • www.bbb.org • https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or call 877-FTC-Help. • https://www.ic3.gov/ – if you have bought a gift card as a part of a scam, report it to the company. Any third-party trademarks mentioned in the report remain the intellectual property of their respective holder, and use of them does not imply affi liation with or endorsement by them. • Advance communication: Contact your local veterinary urgent care or emergency hospital ahead of time. Inform them of the nature of your pet’s emergency and your estimated arrival time. • Patience: Due to increased holiday emergencies, some hospitals might experience longer wait times. Emotions can run high during an emergency. Be patient with the staff . They are doing their best to accommodate everyone. About Thrive Pet Healthcare: Thrive Pet Healthcare is a leading veterinary service network that uniquely delivers a continuum of care to pet families and services to veterinary hospitals. With an industry-fi rst membership program and over 350 acute, primary and specialty providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare offers personalized, accessible care through every stage of a pet’s life and health. The veterinarian-founded organization provides premier benefi ts for practice staff while elevating privately held veterinary hospitals with innovative service and technology solutions. By focusing on the needs and aspirations of veterinary care providers, Thrive Pet Healthcare is supporting the well-being of the industry and raising the national bar for veterinary excellence. To learn more about Thrive Pet Healthcare, please visit www.thrivepetcare.com.

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