The Knoxville Police Department wants citizens reminded of gift card scam prevention. 

With the busy holiday shopping season comes an increased purchase of gift cards to give away for presents. Whether it be Visa, restaurant, or retail gift cards, there are many ways that scammers use these to their advantage. A common scam is for an individual requesting you to purchase gift cards and read them the number on the back. Knoxville Police Chief Aaron Fuller encourages everyone to recognize a scam such as this.

“Any time that somebody calls you offering you a service and wants that paid for in gift cards, they want you to go to Wal-Mart, Dollar Tree, or Hy-Vee to buy these gift cards. They want you to buy $1,000 in iTunes gift cards and then they want you to give them the identifying factors on the gift cards, that is a scam. No reputable business is going to ask you for gift cards.” 

If you believe you have been a victim of a scam, call your local police department.