COUNTER-fraud experts and the police are offering help and advice about gift card fraud, an emerging type of fraud targeting vulnerable people.

Officers from the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YHROCU), assisted by neighbourhood policing teams will raise awareness about gift card fraud at key shopping centres and retail areas across the region next week.

Gift card fraud is when people are coerced into buying high-value gift cards from high street shops and sending the codes on so the fraudsters can use them.

Detective Sergeant Sam Harding, of the YHROCU Proactive Economic Crime Team, said: “Vulnerable victims that may usually be targeted as part of email scams or courier frauds are being coerced by organised criminal groups instead to attend high street shops and obtain gift cards. They then pass on the codes to those criminals for them to use.

“Our intention is to raise awareness of this type of fraud by educating shoppers and retail staff about it.”

“Our stall will be present at key shopping areas where we can offer help and advice to shoppers and retail staff.”

Come and meet the team in Leeds city centre on Monday, September 9, at Meadowhall, Sheffield, on Tuesday September 10, in York city centre on Wednesday, September 11, in Hull city centre on Thursday, September 12, and at White Rose Centre, Leeds, on Friday, September 13.