Avoid holiday scams this holiday season NBC Bay Area [Video]

The holiday season is a busy time but don’t let the stress make you a target for scammers. Consumer Reports warns of grinches trying to steal your money and identity this season

One recurring scam during the holidays is the “drain scam,” which affected over 41,000 people last year, resulting in $217 million in losses. Here’s how it works: thieves copy gift card numbers and activation codes, reseal the packaging, and drain the money once the card is activated.

How to stay safe:

• Inspect gift cards carefully before purchasing. Look for signs like stickers over barcodes or packages that seem tampered with.
• Buy cards from behind the counter or opt for virtual gift cards.
• Use gift cards as soon as you receive them.

• Search for reviews by typing the website name followed by terms like “fraud,” “scam,” or …