Watch Out for This Sneaky Holiday Scam: ‘Card Draining’

Hey there, holiday shoppers! As you embark on the festive journey of gift-giving, there's a Grinchy scam lurking around that you need to be aware of: 'Card Draining.' It's like something out of a holiday horror movie, but scarier because it's real. So, grab your hot cocoa, and let's chat about this sneaky scam.

Picture this: You're strolling through the aisles, humming along to Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas," and you decide to grab a bunch of gift cards for your loved ones. Little do you know, there's a Grinch in disguise waiting to ruin your holiday cheer.

Here's the lowdown on 'Card Draining' according to FOX: Scammers, armed with Grinch-like cunning, pluck gift cards off the shelves, jot down all the vital info, and then slip them back into the display. It's like a game of hide-and-seek, but nobody wins except the crooks. They patiently wait for some unsuspecting soul to come along, buy and activate the gift card, only for the scammers to swoop in and use it for their own holiday shopping spree.

Believe it or not, this Grinchy tactic hit Colorado over the summer, leaving folks scratching their heads and checking their stockings twice. So, how can you outsmart these holiday hooligans?

First things first, channel your inner Sherlock Holmes. Before you excitedly snag that gift card, give it a once-over. Make sure the package hasn't been tampered with or cracked open like an early Christmas present. If anything looks fishy, don't be shy – alert the cashier or a store employee faster than you can say "Jingle Bells."

Think of it as your superhero duty to protect your hard-earned cash from falling into the wrong hands. After all, you don't want your gift card to end up funding someone else's Netflix binge or a shopping spree for a pair of fuzzy socks.

So, there you have it, dear holiday shoppers. Arm yourself with awareness, keep an eye out for those shady gift card packages, and spread the word to save others from falling victim to the 'Card Draining' Grinches. After all, 'tis the season to be jolly, not scammed! Happy holidays, and may your gift cards be merry and bright! 🎁🎄

Christmas is a time to visit family and friends and get away from the daily grind. The holidays can be a wonderful time, but they can also be very expensive. From buying lots of Christmas gifts for family and friends to having to pay for plane tickets and travel, holiday expenses can really add up. But, the good news is that there are some affordable Christmas vacations in the U.S.

One good thing about traveling during the winter months is that it's often the off-season for popular vacation destinations. Of course, the holidays are a busy travel time. That makes late December a difficult time to find a deal for travel. But, if you don't mind the cold and snow, some northern areas of the U.S. offer very good deals. That's true even during the Christmas season.

Some tips for finding a good deal for holiday vacationing include searching a lot of booking websites, comparing different hotel dates to find the most reasonable ones and finding bundle deals. Also, keep your eyes open for special deals on resorts and hotels that are just opening. That's because sometimes, during those opening months, new vacation spots try to attract a loyal clientele by offering special deals. One more tip is to search for airfare rates individually even if you are traveling as a couple or a group. If you put in a search for a group of tickets, the algorithms will often leave out information on one or two cheaper tickets being available. They'll just send you a group of tickets, sitting together, all at the same price. So, you might get a deal if you search for one ticket, instead.

So, what are the best affordable Christmas vacations in the U.S.? Here are some popular spots that won't break the bank.

Frankenmuth, Michigan, is the self-proclaimed Christmas capital city of the world. Okay, so many argue that Strasbourg, France, takes that honor, but Frankenmuth is close, and it's a lot cheaper to get there. No passport needed. The villiage's Franconian-style architecture has given it the loving name "Little Bavaria." Frankenmuth is also home to the world's biggest Christmas store.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is located in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and it offers a beautiful view of snowy hills and Amish country. It's a very old-fashioned type of town, making it a charming winter getaway. There are plenty of fun, holiday-type things to do in Lancaster that won't break the bank.

You might never guess, but Las Vegas, Nevada, is a great spot for an affordable holiday trip. Think about it. Most people wouldn't think to go to "Sin City" for Christmas. Of course, it's much less the "sin" part these days, as Las Vegas offers fun activities for the whole family.

Charlotte, North Carolina, is a great spot to visit in the holiday season, because it's not as crowded as other times during the year. It's also less expensive to visit during the holidays and offers beautiful decorations during Christmas. Don't forget the many holiday markets.

Fort Myers, Florida, is a popular destination for snow birds. But, that's doesn't mean to skip it during the holidays. If you want to get away from the snow and ice, Fort Myers offers a great escape over Christmas and for prices that are more reasonable than in many other areas of Florida.

Boston, Massachusetts, gets cold in the winter, but it also has that classic Christmas charm. It's a big city with a smaller city feel during the holidays. What's more, it's a more affordable winter vacation destination than many other areas, and you won't have the fight the crowds.