by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – AS couples prepare to celebrate Valentine’s Day, cybersecurity company Kaspersky is warning shoppers to stay alert to a surge in gift card scams.
While digital presents such as subscriptions, gaming credits and gift cards remain popular choices, scammers are increasingly exploiting the trend to target unsuspecting consumers.
According to Kaspersky’s latest global survey, 80% of respondents are considering giving digital gifts this Valentine’s Day.
Cybercriminals are capitalising on this demand by impersonating well-known brands, creating fake online stores and launching fraudulent verification portals designed to steal gift card details and drain their value.
One common tactic involves deceptive “check your balance” websites.
Kaspersky’s phishing detection systems have identified platforms offering a seemingly secure way to verify a gift card’s validity or remaining balance.
In reality, these sites are designed to harvest the card’s identification data. Once obtained, criminals can activate or empty the card before the legitimate recipient uses it.
To avoid falling victim, Kaspersky advises shoppers to verify website authenticity carefully.
Check the web address for inconsistencies, avoid clicking suspicious links and watch for poor design or unusual formatting.
The safest way to confirm a gift card’s balance is to visit the retailer’s official website directly by typing the address into your browser.
Using a trusted security solution with advanced anti-phishing capabilities can also help block malicious links.
Kaspersky experts have also uncovered fake websites mimicking major online marketplaces and advertising high-value gift cards, such as a $200 Amazon voucher.
Victims are prompted to click a “Get your gift card” button, which instead downloads a malicious installer containing a backdoor.
This allows cybercriminals to gain remote control of the device, potentially leading to financial loss, data theft and system compromise.
As online shoppers hunt for limited-time Valentine’s deals, experts warn that offers appearing too generous may signal fraud.
Advanced security tools can detect suspicious websites by analysing URLs and site characteristics, helping users shop safely.
Anton Yatsenko, Lead Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky, cautions that cybercriminals exploit the emotional nature of Valentine’s Day.
He advises consumers to stick to reputable retailers, scrutinise website addresses carefully and remain sceptical of deals that seem too good to be true.
The survey was conducted in November 2025 among 3,000 respondents across 15 countries.
– CAJ News