TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) - Just in time for the holiday shopping rush, Florida is cracking down on criminals who target gift cards.

Gift cards remain one of the most popular presents, with WalletHub reporting $214 billion in sales nationwide last year. But as sales climb, so do scams.

Criminals have been known to steal cards off store shelves, tamper with them, and capture account information so they can drain the funds once the cards are activated.

Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation, said it’s becoming a growing concern.

“We’re seeing a disturbing trend where criminals are going into stores, stealing gift cards off the shelves, altering them, stealing the information that allows them access to funds once activated,” Shalley sa

See Full Page