how do stores prevent the use of stolen gift cards?

[1942Scammer]

If I steal a giftcard, in theory I should be able to use it right? But stores say that you have to "activate" the card before you can use it. How does this work? Can I bypass it somehow?

 

[GeniusMidnight]

You cant use it, they activate it at the cashier when they read the barcode i think

 

[HellCatOG]

Yeah so this happens more than you think. The gift cards in the store have zero value untill they get loaded with money by the cahier. BUT what people do is they meticulously open the gift card packaging, copy down the card info and then meticulously repackage/seal the card back up so no one notices. Now when somone grabes that card off the shelf and loads it you have all the card info. Only problem is if you dont have address registured to card you cant buy anything online. So if you were able to find a card that lets you registure it with your chosen info before loading with money...

 

[GeniusJit]

Yeah so this happens more than you think. The gift cards in the store have zero value untill they get loaded with money by the cahier. BUT what people do is they meticulously open the gift card packaging, copy down the card info and then meticulously repackage/seal the card back up so no one notices. Now when somone grabes that card off the shelf and loads it you have all the card info. Only problem is if you dont have address registured to card you cant buy anything online. So if you were able to find a card that lets you registure it with your chosen info before loading with money...

Your comment has been approved.
Thank you.

 

[HoodNinjaS]

From experience, gift card 100% won't work as long as it isn't paid for. I talk from experience.
And they are activated when they are paid for (they have unique barcodes).
To make it short, there is no easy go around, don't lose time with these.

 

[ImposterJack]

algorithms / bots

 

[CarderNPC]

There isn't anything on the card until they put it on there when you pay at the register lol that's how they prevent the use of "stolen" gift cards