Don't fall for gift card scam: Better Business Bureau warns holiday shoppers

File photo.

There's a new scam that shoppers should be aware of this holiday season, according to the Better Business Bureau of Mainland B.C.

In a news release Tuesday, the BBB issued a warning about fake barcode stickers that are popping up on gift cards across the country.

The scammer places the barcode sticker on top of the original barcode, so that when customers buy a gift card — they are actually loading a completely separate gift card that the scammer has all the information for.

"For example, the barcode for a $100 liquor store gift card would be placed on top of a barcode for a $100 Playstation store gift card instead," the BBB said in the release. "If you don't catch the con during checkout, you end up activating their card instead of yours."

The BBB added that scammers are taking empty gift cards home with them and then reprinting their barcodes to stick on to another gift card in the store.

"Scammers are always evolving their tactics," said BBB president and CEO Simone Lis.

The BBB is providing holiday shoppers with tips in order to prevent them from becoming victims of this scam. They include:

Anyone who thinks they've been the victim of a scam should contact their local police department and report it on BBB.org/scamtracker.