Campbell police have issued a warning about gift card scams involving tampering after two individuals were arrested last weekend for allegedly placing altered gift cards on store displays.

According to police, officers were notified on Saturday that a man was putting tampered gift cards on a store stand for customers to purchase. The man, identified as 45-year-old Jian Chen from Rosemead, was placing the cards while a woman, identified as 32-year-old Bifeng Xie from Riverside, waited in a car. Chen was reportedly exchanging the altered gift cards.

Police allege that Chen and Xie had stolen empty gift cards to capture card numbers and PIN information before replacing them in stores.

A search of Chen and Xie’s vehicle revealed over 500 gift cards from various retailers, including Home Depot, Apple, and Amazon.

Both suspects were arrested and booked into Santa Clara County jail on charges of obtaining money under false pretenses and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Police also noted that Chen matched the description of a suspect in a similar crime in Santa Clara.

“Scammers can drain the balance of tampered gift cards before the recipient has a chance to use them,” police said. “As these scams become more common, we want to remind the community how to protect themselves.”

To avoid falling victim to such scams, police recommend:

• Purchasing gift cards online to reduce the risk of physical tampering.
• Inspecting gift cards before buying them.
• Avoiding cards that show signs of tampering.
• Keeping the receipt with the gift card, as some retailers may offer refunds.
• Using gift cards promptly to minimize the chance for scammers to drain the balance.