The deadline is approaching. You can’t put off the last of your Christmas shopping much longer!

Gift cards are a great last minute gift, and very easy to get. You can buy Amazon.com gift certificates off their site or get them from stores.

If you buy gift cards in person, however, be very careful. The latest scam involves thieves looking at gift cards in the store and writing down the card number. Then they can call to check the balance, using the information they took once they find out there’s a balance.

There’s a simple way to avoid that scam: Don’t buy any gift cards where the number has been visible to the general public in advance. You don’t know if someone has written that information down already.

If you still want to buy in person, just make sure the card, or more importantly, the card number, has not been available to other people. You’re better off buying from stores that keep the number hidden.

Buying online from reputable companies is much safer. Amazon gift cards are good for just about anyone, since they have such a wide selection. But many other websites offer gift certificates, so if you know someone loves a particular site head on over and get them that one.

Another last minute gift idea is to make a gift basket. Get lots of small stuff you know the recipient would enjoy and put them into a basket. It’s a way to make a delightfully personal and creative present.

Technorati Tags: , , , ,