TOP-UP CARD FRAUD CAN MAKE YOUR FINANCES BOTTOM OUT

The following excerpt is from the USA.gov. website:

Banking and ATM Frauds
Beware: Cash Top-Up Scams
Cash top-up cards can be a convenient way to transfer money to other accounts. They are not designed to be used directly with retailers or online merchants; rather they are used to reload money on accounts that you control, such as your debit card.

Unfortunately, scammers know the ease and convenience of using these cards. They persuade you to share your top-up card number directly with them instead of using a wire or escrow service. However, if you send the top-up number you’ll be left without the merchandise you were promised or your money. To protect yourself from these scams:

Guard your top-up card like it is cash.
Be wary of advertisements where you are asked to pay with a cash top-up card.
Don’t share your top-up card number with someone you don’t know, even if a merchant asks you to e-mail it to them.
Never use these cards to pay taxes or fees on lottery or sweepstakes winnings. It’s likely that you haven’t won anything.

Protect Your PIN
Beware of “shoulder surfers.” Be suspicious of anyone lurking around an ATM or watching over your shoulder while you use your card. Some thieves even put a device over the card slot of an ATM to read the magnetic strip and record your PIN; this is known as “skimming”. If you suspect criminal activity, walk away and use a different ATM."