![$500 Walmart Gift Card Scam Is Stealing Money From People In New York State](http://townsquare.media/site/11/files/2023/01/attachment-marques-thomas-NCjnlWnvYA4-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
$500 Walmart Gift Card Scam Is Stealing Money From People In New York State
If you get a text about a $500 gift card from Walmart, it's a trick to steal your personal data and money. First, you really shouldn't click on links from random or unknown numbers sent to your phone. But, if you disregard that advice and click on the link, you'll be prompted to give your private info. You'll be asked to complete a form
There's also a Facebook post sharing the same information that says, according to The Sun,
Walmart Management is helping with the rising prices with $500 Grocery Cards for $2. Follow the instructions to participate.
Basically, if it sounds too good to be true. it most likely is. Walmart's fraud alert webpage warns,
Don’t click on or respond to online ads or websites offering free gift cards. These are often scams.
You can check out some frequent scams here.
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Gov. Hochul Signs Law Making Major Changes To Gift Cards In New York State
New York has made some major changes to gift card laws, right in time for the holiday season. The changes work in favor of consumers in New York, offering added protections and options. It's nice to see these changes since most of us actually lose out when it comes to gift cards. According to USA Today,
Even if you know you received a gift card recently, a problem people have is holding on to them for too long (29%) or not knowing where it is (25%). Another problem was having a gift card for so long that the business closed before the card could be used. In total, 47% of gift card owners eventually lose out on the gift money.
What Does The New Gift Card Law Change In New York State?
The new law, which took effect on Saturday, December 10, 2022, does a few things when it comes to making gift cards in New York more consumer-friendly:
- Gift cards purchased on or after December 10, 2022, will now last for at least nine years from the day they were purchased, giving cardholders plenty of time to use the funds.
- If there is less than $5 left on the card, cardholders can get cash for the balance.
- The new law prohibits all fees to stop gift cards and gift certificates from losing some of their value.
The law specifically forbids the imposition of any “activation fees, retroactive fees, redemption fees, service fees, dormancy fees, latency fees, administrative fees, handling fees, access fees, periodic fees, renewal fees, re-loading fees, or any other fee of any kind.” There is one exception to the law. A gift card or gift certificate that is redeemable at multiple, unaffiliated merchants or service providers may charge a one-time activation fee, not to exceed $9.
You can read more about the gift card law here.
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