Gift Cards

Beware of scammers who’ve discovered the convenience of iTunes gift cards, warns the St. Louis Better Business Bureau.

It’s just a new version of an old song: Thieves ask for iTunes entertainment cards to pay for counterfeit or nonexisting merchandise, or even to settle debt. The goods and services are bogus, and the consumer is out of luck.

Thousands of Missourians have leftover gifts to reclaim from the state treasurer’s office this holiday season.

According to Treasurer Clint Zweifel, the state is holding nearly $9 million worth of gift cards and gift certificates that have been dormant for at least five years.

“We all know what it’s like during the holiday season. You get gifts; you get gift cards. You set them aside; you might forget about them,” he said. “Or you might lose them in the travels that you have. We’ve returned $145,000 this year alone in gift cards.”

Did you get a gift card this holiday season? You're not alone.

Consumers were expected to spend about $80 billion on gift cards this year, and advocates suggest using them right away to avoid a lost or stolen card.