Gift cards are increasingly popular as Christmas gifts, but make sure you don’t get swindled.
Bill McGuire with the Brazos Valley Better Business Bureau says some gift cards carry high fees, and you need to watch out for cards with strings attached.
McGuire advises purchasers to read the fine print and fully understand how the card works, because issuers can charge fees whenever a card is used, the balance is checked, a replacement card is requested, or customer service is called.
He says you should look for any fees associated with buying or using the card, and find out if any fees would be deducted from the card after its purchase, either of which could be a big disappointment to the recipient.
McGuire adds that buyers should avoid buying cards at online auction sites because they could be counterfeit or obtained fraudulently, and be observant when choosing cards in a store.
Inspect the card before buying, verify that the protective stickers have not been removed and the pin number on the card’s back is not exposed.
He says you should report any damage to the store selling the cards, and giving the receipt along with the card will ensure that the recipient can prove ownership if there’s ever a problem.
Bill McGuire visits with WTAW’s Scott DeLucia
CLICK HERE for quick access to the BBB’s gift card safety checklist.