BOCA RATON, Fla. — Police in Florida are issuing a scam warning as you finish up your holiday shopping.
The Boca Raton Police Department says scammers are targeting gift cards that you haven't even paid for yet.
"Scammers are printing out their own barcodes and placing them over the actual gift card barcode at local retailers," the department said.
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When the gift cards is activated, the money goes to the scammer's card instead of card you just bought.
Police say a retail employee recently found a fake barcode during a routine check.
They offer this advice:
- Closely examine the back of the gift card before you buy it
- Check for signs of tampering, such as barcode stickers
- Make sure the gift card’s barcode number, visible through the window on the back of the gift card’s packaging, matches the number on the packaging itself
- Pick a gift card from the middle or back of the rack
