The Winnipeg Police are warning shoppers to be cautious when purchasing gift cards this holiday season. 

Authorities have been made aware that pre-paid cards from retail stores. 

Fraudsters will tamper with the pre-paid card packaging and replace the gift card with a different used or blank card. When a customer purchases the tampered card, the gift card will become activated by the magnetic strip on the outside packaging. The gift card that was in the original package then becomes loaded for the scammer to use.  

The Winnipeg Police are encouraging shoppers to carefully examine the packaging and alert a store employee or call the number on the back of the card if they suspect anything suspicious.  

Reports of fraudulent gift cards can be made to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, the Winnipeg Police Service, or through the gift card company.