‘Whoa’: Woman buys Visa prepaid holiday gift card from Dollar Tree. Then she opens the package and sees an Ulta gift card instead
As the holiday season approaches, more people are heading off to buy gift cards for friends and family.
While gift cards are occasionally seen as a “boring” option, they’re usually thought of as a pretty safe bet — especially if you don’t know what to get someone.
However, that “safety” isn’t always guaranteed. In recent years, cases of “gift card fraud” have risen. It’s estimated that consumers lost around $217 million due to gift card fraud in 2023 alone. Additionally, over a quarter of Americans are estimated to have personally experienced gift card fraud.
This fraud can take forms one might not expect, as recently experienced by TikTok user Kayla Powers (@kaylalynn3051).
What Happened to This Woman’s Visa Gift Card?
In her video, Powers explains that she’s putting together a gift bag for her nail tech. As part of the gift bag, she bought a Visa gift card from Dollar Tree.
Seeing that the gift card in its cardboard packaging was too big for the planned container, she decided to remove the gift card. When she opened the package, she was shocked.
“What the [expletive] is this?” she asks. Despite pulling the tab herself and opening the apparently-unopened package, she reveals that the case included not a Visa gift card, but an Ulta gift card.
“This is not a Visa gift card. This is an Ulta gift card — that is not valid, because it’s this barcode that they scanned is for a Visa gift card,” she states.
Powers concludes by advising viewers to “check your gift cards.”
How Did This Visa Gift Card Issue Even Occur?
The most likely explanation for this is gift card fraud.
This scam is frustratingly simple. First, a scammer will open up a package with a gift card. Even if the gift card has a pull tab, like what is shown in the video, a scammer can use a blade to open up the package and remove the gift card without noticeably destroying the packaging. They may also heat up the packaging to melt the adhesive.
After that, the scammer will remove the gift card. From there, they will replace the old gift card with either a useless card or no card at all.
The scammer will then hold onto the card and repeatedly test it, waiting for it to be activated. Once it is activated, they will drain its funds.
How Can You Prevent This?
In order to not fall victim to gift card fraud, there are a few steps that one can take.
First, as noted by ABC7 News, they can thoroughly inspect a card’s packaging. Buyers should watch out for packages that have been cut open, packages that look like they have been reglued, and any package that looks as though tampering has occurred.
Next, they should open the card while they are still in the store in full view of the staff. If the card has been replaced, the staff can work to solve the issue before you exit the store.
If you’ve already fallen victim to this, the FTC suggests taking a few steps. To start, the person should report the scam to the gift card company. Second, they should attempt to return the gift card to the store where they purchased it. Finally, they should report the fraud to the FTC directly via the agency’s website.
Commenters Say It’s Common
In the comments section, users recounted their own experiences dealing with this and similar scams.
“THIS ISN’T A NEW SCAM…. IT’s been going on for awhile! We got scammed 4 yrs ago,” wrote a user. “A LOT of stores are switching to electronic email gift cards… just waiting for their already printed ones to run out.”
“the last year with all these things happening with gift cards and empty boxes i have sadly had to film every time i open one so i can prove it was that way when i bought it,” shared another. “if its fine i delete the video. this shouldn’t be a new norm.”
“I work retail and I urge people to ALWAYS check gift cards before buying,” declared a third.
The Mary Sue reached out to Dollar Tree via email, Visa via email, and Powers via TikTok DM and comment.
@kaylalynn3051 #scam #holidayscam #dramatok #dollartree #fyp ♬ original sound – Kayla Powers
Need a Gift?
Three picks from the shopping experts at Gee Thanks!
- Merit’s Five Minute Morning is a joy in those early hours.
- This is the Porsche of coffee machines — and it’s perfect for cold brew lovers.
Who doesn’t love fancy PJs — especially with prints like these?
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