Northeast Ohio Retailers Asked To Put Up Signs To Deter Scams

CLEVELAND — Prominent Northeast Ohio retailers are being asked to post signs warning customers about the use of gift cards as payment in scams. The Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs said stores like Dave's Markets, Marc's, CVS and Heinen's have already put up the signs.

Many scam artists ask their victims to pay them using gift cards. The reason is simple: police have difficulty tracking the cards.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has invited stores that sell their own gift cards, and stores that sell third-party gift cards, to place Scam Squad Gift Card Alert signs on their gift card sales racks.

“Stores have a chance to interrupt a scam by posting a Scam Squad alert,” said Sheryl Harris, director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs. “We’re thrilled to see stores in our community embrace this effort, and we invite others to join them.”

Store owners and managers can request a print or digital version of the Scam Squad sign by calling the Scam Squad hotline at 216-443-SCAM (7226) or emailing consumeraffairs@cuyahogacounty.us.