Staying Safe with Online Gift Cards

Do you guys ever worry about buying or receiving digital gift cards? I’ve heard a few horror stories, and I’m wondering what precautions everyone here actually takes in real life.

My rule is never to buy discounted gift cards from random marketplaces. A friend lost $200 once that way. Now I also tell my parents to double-check card numbers and balances as soon as they purchase, just in case. It’s simple, but it makes a difference.

Gift cards are convenient, but I’ve learned they’re also a favorite tool for scammers. Once, my uncle almost fell for a tech support scam where someone demanded payment in gift cards. He caught on just in time. Reading about real-life experiences helps, and I came across how to avoid gift card scams https://help-center.pissedconsumer.com/common-gift-card-scams-how-avoid-them/ which lays out practical tips. It reminded me to never share gift card codes over the phone or email, even with people I think I know.