HARRISBURG, PA – December 22, 2025 – As last-minute gift card purchases surge ahead of Christmas, Senator Lisa M. Boscola (D-Lehigh/Northampton) announced the introduction of a two-bill legislative package to combat gift card fraud, with a focus on stopping card tampering schemes before consumers lose their money. The legislation is being advanced in close coordination with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the Pennsylvania Retailers Association.
Boscola said her office is working directly with the Attorney General’s Office to ensure the package’s criminal provisions give prosecutors the tools they need to pursue organized networks that tamper with gift cards and harvest activation information from cards on store racks.
“Gift card fraud has become far more elaborate, and our laws need to reflect that reality,” Boscola said. “By working closely with the Attorney General’s Office, we are making sure Pennsylvania has clear, enforceable tools to go after the people who are draining these cards before families ever get a chance to use them.”
Boscola also emphasized the importance of working with retailers to protect consumers while maintaining a smooth holiday shopping experience.
“We want to protect shoppers without creating unnecessary burdens at checkout,” Boscola said. “Partnering with the retailers association helps us put practical safeguards in place while keeping the shopping experience convenient and welcoming.”
The two-bill package addresses both enforcement and prevention. The first bill, SB1123, updates Pennsylvania’s Crimes Code to more directly target gift card tampering and credential harvesting. It also looks to close loopholes for theft involving empty gift cards. The second bill, SB1124, requires standardized fraud warnings and basic employee training at retail locations that sell third-party gift cards.
“Gift card fraud has become increasingly organized and sophisticated, often targeting families during the holidays,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said. “I am grateful to Sen. Boscola for her leadership and dedication to this issue and for working closely with our office to ensure prosecutors have the tools they need to stop these schemes and better protect Pennsylvanians at the checkout counter.”
Boscola urged consumers to inspect gift card packaging for signs of tampering, choose cards stored behind the counter when possible, keep receipts, and be cautious of anyone demanding payment by gift card. She also reminded the public that no legitimate business or government agency will ever request payment using gift cards.
Senator Boscola said her office will continue working with the Attorney General, retailers, and other stakeholders as the legislation moves forward. Since circulating the package, it has received bipartisan support, with several Senate Democrats and Republicans adding their name to the bills (Senators Pennycuick, Vogel, Schwank, and Costa). Boscola hopes the bill package will receive attention in the Senate early next year once they are recalled to Session, and looks forward to engaging with Senate leaders Kim Ward, Joe Pittman, and Jay Costa on stopping these harmful consumer crimes.