**Never Again: Windsor Senior Falls Victim to Gift Card Scam**

Mark Duguay, a 66-year-old senior from Windsor, Ont., has vowed never to buy gift cards again after falling victim to a scam that left him feeling embarrassed and frustrated.

The incident occurred when Duguay's seniors' euchre club decided to show their appreciation for the five main organizers by purchasing Tim Hortons gift cards. The cards were bought using a collection of $275 raised by the club, with each card containing $55 worth of credit.

Duguay obtained the gift cards from a Dollarama location and handed them out to the recipients at a gathering on December 10th. However, when the next day arrived, each of the five individuals reported that their cards couldn't be redeemed for any amount.

"It says 'access denied' on all the cards," Duguay explained, still visibly shaken by the experience. "I felt like a total idiot, very much embarrassed."

After checking with the recipients and confirming that the cards were indeed useless, Duguay returned to the Dollarama store in an attempt to get a refund. However, he was met with resistance from the staff, who claimed they couldn't help him since he couldn't prove that the cards weren't used by himself or the recipients.

"They kept saying, 'There's nothing we can do,'" Duguay recounted, adding that Dollarama ultimately advised that each card issuer has its own policies regarding reimbursement and replacement. "It was a nightmare to deal with."

**A Common Experience**

Jennifer Matthews, CEO of the Better Business Bureau for Western Ontario, noted that what happened to Duguay is unfortunately not an uncommon experience, particularly during the holiday season.

"We've been warning people about this 'gift card draining' scam for years," Matthews explained. "Scammers take the gift cards, tamper with the code on the back, and then return them to the shelf. When someone buys these cards, they're activated at the point of sale, and the scammer has access to the information, allowing them to drain the card."

**Tips to Avoid Getting Scammed**

Chuck Bell, advocacy programs director for Consumer Reports, emphasized that it's essential to check gift cards from a rack for signs of tampering, such as damage to the protective strip on the back. However, he noted that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making physical evidence less likely.

"It could also be a hacking problem," Bell said. "Sometimes there's more of a technological angle." Consumer Reports recommends purchasing gift cards online or only trusting cards stored behind the counter to minimize the risk of getting scammed.

**A Lesson Learned**

Duguay, while relieved that his euchre club members have been understanding, is concerned about how others may perceive him. "It's like I'm the one who stole the money," he said, adding that he'll never buy a gift card again.

"I just hope no one else falls victim to this scam," Duguay concluded, still shaken by his experience.