Gift Card Fraud – Trigger Fraud Alert

Humberside Police have been advised from Cheshire Police of a new scam that has affected their area regarding Amazon and Apple gift cards.

Asda Supermarket had reported issues with the above gift cards, customers have been returning them back saying that they are coming up as showing no value when they have tried to use them. It has now been discovered that a male has been placing fake cards on the stands that customers take to the tills and pay the value they want to be added but when processed the money is being diverted elsewhere.

A genuine card has been compared to one that has been returned, and it does appear to be slightly different.

This store has now removed all cards and changed the process for selling further cards. All Asda stores have now been made aware but at this stage we have not had any other reports from other retailers that sell the same gift cards or if any other brand of card has been affected, and/or if this could be a nationwide operation by the scammers.

Reporting and Support

If you have been a victim and lost money, call 101 and report it to Humberside Police.

Visit fraudwatch.org.uk for more information about fraud and where to get support.

You can also sign up to receive future alerts at alerts.fraudwatch.org.uk.