Musings: Stop the theft of gift cards

I received a $75 gift card in December. It was bought at a major pharmacy chain for use at a sporting goods store. I went to the store to use it in January. I found out it had no value. I called the store’s national number and was told it was used online on Dec. 31. I went to the pharmacy and was told to call its headquarters. That wasn’t any help. The pharmacy employees admitted it was a big problem.

I saw on social media that this is happening with many stores. The problem is that Fortune 500 companies are making money selling the cards and selling their products. However, the cards’ recipients are getting ripped off.

I wrote to the state attorney general’s office. The staff got the money back from the pharmacy to the person who bought the card for me. I thanked the staffer but said I would rather these companies be stopped from selling the gift cards until the problem is corrected. The staffer surprisingly said I was the only one to write the state office and more complaints are needed to go after these companies.

Thieves take cards from displays, copy the card numbers and PINs and place the card back. Some use a handheld scanner. The scammers monitor the balances, waiting for the cards to be activated. Then they drain them. Voila!

So, fellow readers, if this happened to you, write to State Attorney General Letitia James’ office. They got the money back for my gift card, and perhaps they can get yours back, too. Then, maybe, the workers there can stop stores from allowing gifts to the public from being stolen.

 — Randy Perlmutter, Oceanside