How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams: A Practical Guide
A Timely Warning on Gift Card Scams: What You Need to Know In mid-December 2025, Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a direct alert to residents, spotlighting a persistent and costly threat: gift card scams. The timing was no accident. The holiday season, with its surge in gift card purchases and charitable giving, creates a perfect storm for fraudsters. While the alert targeted District residents, the advice is universally critical. These scams don’t respect borders, and the tactics used in D.C. are the same ones employed nationwide. ...