FRAUD...Beware...

[dumluck53]

Folks,
Ya read it here first (almost) on IBNW. Be careful out there.
(Snoped it already too, it's the real deal.)
Tony


"Well, the crooks have found a way to rob you of your gift card balance. If you buy Gift Cards from a display rack that has various store cards you may become a victim of theft. Crooks are now jotting down the card numbers in the store and then wait a few days and call to see how much of a balance THEY have on the card. Once they find the card is "activated," and then they go online and start shopping. You may want to purchase your card from a customer service person, where they do not have the Gift Cards viewable to the public. Please share this with all your family and friends..."

[bradvo]

amazing, these guys have nothing but time.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Just in time for the holidays too... what fun... clever however, very clever...

[Go Aweigh2452]

Home Depot Scam

A "heads up" for those of you who may be regular Home Depot customers.

Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic. Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to your friends.


Here's how the scam works:

Two seriously good-looking 20-21 year-old girls come over to your car as you are packing your shopping into the trunk. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. It is impossible not to look.

When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say "No" and instead ask you for a ride to another Home Depot or Lowe's. You agree and they get in the back seat.

On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet.

I had my wallet stolen September 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the15th, 17th, 20th, & 24th. Also October 1st, 3rd, twice on the 7th, three times just yesterday and very likely again this upcoming weekend.

[Tedster]

Nice, very very nice! :lol:

[SomeSailor]

That's it... I'm gonna stop shopping at Lowes!

[Salmon Troller]

My wife's firm does quite a bit with gift cards and offers this advice on the gift card scam:

Quite a bit wrong with these scenarios as described:

1) The gift card account numbers are activated at the processors location <ValueLink/SVS/etc> , not the card itself. In order for this scenario to work, the thief would need to use the retailers POS system.

This has happened before: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan/press/2005/05-04-2005.html

As you can see, this was an inside job.

2) To spend the gift card you need to have the unique PIN number - under the scratch off sticker. In addition to having the pin covered, most j-hook card carriers now have the mag stripes covered too.

As a consumer, if you ever have problems with your gift card, contact the product provider, eg. Borders and Starbucks. They are extremely responsive to any customer issues especially if there is a hint of fraud.

[dumluck53]

Mannnn...I HATE it when that happens!

(Where did you say this occurs?)

Good one, Doug1

:P