The thought that didn’t count

[TheWorldNewsOrg]

If you’re like this author, “presents” this holiday season consisted mainly of gift cards from loved ones baffled by what to get you. While gift cards are the “safe” option gift-wise, they also have a dangerous side, particularly if you’re trying to resell them to someone who appreciates dining at that chain restaurant more than you do. (Seriously, mom, Chili’s?!) But before you sell the card, beware! The National Consumers League (NCL) reports that they see “a spike in scams involving the resale of gift cards” each January. How do these scams work? Sellers often find “buyers” (i.e., scammers) on popular sites like Craigslist or eBay. Once the buyer pays, the seller emails them the code on the back of the card. The crafty con artists work fast, however, and will cancel the electronic payments they’ve initiated and drain the card’s funds before you can say “store credit.” To avoid falling victim to this scheme, NCL’s Fraud.org recommends you only sell your gift cards via a legit website dedicated to such sales (e.g., Cardpool or GiftcardZen). You could also think about donating said cards or simply trading cards for one store (like Walmart) for credit at another store (like Target). And remember, if you’re the one buying someone else a gift card, don’t purchase the in-store varieties directly off the rack (scammers could have already written down the card codes). Click here for more information on how to avoid gift card grift.