Thousands of fake gift cards seized in Arizona. How to avoid gift card cloning scams

The Arizona Attorney General's office was investigating a gift card cloning scam, with officials already seizing thousands of counterfeit cards.

Authorities took possession of thousands of cloned gift cards and "other merchandise" after a search warrant was served, according to a news release. Eight people were arrested on suspicion of defrauding retailers and customers.

The cloning process involves taking gift cards from the store, copying the magnetic strip and returning the forged card to store shelves, officials stated in the release. Once the card is purchased, the person who created it can use the copied magnetic strip to sap the funds, leaving the customer with an ineffective piece of plastic.

"The successful seizure of thousands of cloned cards and the arrest of several individuals reflects my office's unwavering dedication to stopping organized retail theft across Arizona," Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a statement.

How can I avoid buying copied gift cards?

The Attorney General's office said that consumers can avoid fake gift cards by checking a few things before purchasing:

• Double-check that the number on the back of the gift card matches the number on the receipt. If they don't match, the card has been cloned.
• Look for signs of tampering. This includes stickers placed over activation codes, damage to the packaging and faint scratches on the card.

Customers can also purchase a gift card from behind the counter or near a cash register as an extra precaution.

Those who believe they have been a victim of fraud can file a complaint by visiting the Attorney General's website. A complaint form can also be sent to you by contacting the Attorney General's office at 602-542-8888.