As shoppers begin stocking up for the holidays, gift cards remain one of the most popular gift options. They're easy to buy, easy to give, and usually appreciated.

But consumer experts say there's one big risk many people don't think about: what happens if the business closes before the card is used.

WATCH as a woman describes what happened when she waited to use a restaurant gift card:

Gift card caution: Beware stores, restaurants that may go out of business

That's what happened to Nancy Bertline.

Like many people, Bertline often receives gift cards from family members during the holidays, but one card sat unused for too long. She said she waited almost six months, hoping to cash it in for an anniversary dinner.

"We called and nobody answered," Bertline said. "We left a message to see about getting a reservation. Nobody bothered to call us back."

She later discovered the restaurant had shut its doors for good.

"We were watching the news, and they went out of business," Bertline said. "My husband said, 'You're sunk now. We're not going to be able to get this back.'"

Don't save gift cards for a special occasion

Kyle James of ConsumerAffairs said one of the biggest mistakes consumers make is hanging onto gift cards for months, or even years, waiting for the perfect time to use them.

"Typically, you're going to forget about it and it's going to be too late," he said.

Interactive: Holiday deals started early. Here's where shopping now pays off

According to Capital One Shopping, 43% of U.S. adults have at least one unused gift card, with an average of $244 sitting unspent. In its research, 12% have had a business close permanently before being able to use a gift card.

What to do if a business closes

If a company files for bankruptcy before you use a gift card, you may be able to submit what's known as a "proof of claim" with the bankruptcy court. That places you on the list of creditors seeking repayment, though there's no guarantee you'll recover any money.

The Consumer Federation of America recommends several other steps:

Contact the business or owner directly If you purchased the gift card with a credit card, ask your card issuer whether you can dispute the charge Reach out to your state or local consumer protection agency for assistance

Act quickly if you hear a company may be closing

James said consumers should pay attention to reports that a business is struggling financially.

"I had a Sports Authority $50 gift card, and I heard they were going bankrupt and closing their stores," he said.

He admits he waited too long, hoping for deeper closing sale discounts, but in the end, wasn't able to use the gift card.

"Whenever a store goes into liquidation, they sell all their stuff to another company," James said. "And so, my gift card was completely useless."

Bertline said shes left with a $100 gift card she can no longer use but still hopes for a solution.

"That's what I would hope; that they could do something for myself and everybody else," she said. "It would just be nice."

Bottom line

Gift cards may be a holiday favorite, but they're not always as good as cash. If you receive one this season, don't let it sit in a drawer waiting for a special occasion.

Using it sooner rather than later could help ensure it doesn't become a worthless piece of plastic, and you dont waste your money.

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"Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").

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With Amazon's Big Deal Days sales event driving a surge in online orders, many shoppers will soon be tracking multiple deliveries. Unfortunately, that's also when fraudsters often ramp up efforts to send fake delivery alerts designed to steal personal information.

Consumers say suspicious package notifications have become a regular occurrence.

"I've seen the delayed packages message, yeah," one shopper told us.

Others reported receiving messages claiming they owed money on a delivery, or needed to call a phone number to receive a delivery.

WATCH as we learn how easy it now is it confirm an Amazon text message:

Amazon text message? You can now ask Amazon if it is realAmazon launches new verification feature

Because Amazon is one of the most frequently impersonated brands by scammers, the company has introduced a new feature through Alexa for Shopping that allows customers to verify whether a text message, email or phone call actually came from Amazon.

According to Amazon spokesperson Abigail Bishop, the tool cross-checks customer inquiries against Amazon's communication records to determine whether a message is legitimate.

Customers can ask questions such as:

"Did Amazon send me a text about a delivery problem yesterday?" "Is this email about my Prime membership from Amazon real?" "Someone texted me from this phone number about a package. Is that Amazon?"

If additional details are needed, Alexa may ask for information such as the phone number that contacted you and when the message was received.

Scammers count on urgency

While fake delivery notifications often spike during major online shopping events, experts say delivery scams happen year-round and can impersonate virtually any company.

Consumers should never:

Open suspicious email attachments. Share account numbers, Social Security numbers, passwords or PINs. Respond directly to unexpected delivery texts or emails.

"Scammers often will push you to take action. And if you're feeling that pressure, take a beat," Bishop said.

CLICK HERE to learn more about how to check out a text message via Alexa for Shopping.

The safest way to check a delivery alert

If you're uncertain whether a delivery message is genuine, experts recommend logging directly into your Amazon account to verify any issue rather than clicking links or replying to texts.

Many shoppers say they simply delete suspicious messages immediately.

One mom told us she not only deletes questionable delivery texts, but also reminds her daughters to do the same.

That's a smart way to avoid becoming the next victim of a delivery scam and losing money to fraud.

_____________________________________

"Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").

Follow John:

Facebook: John Matarese Money Instagram: @johnmataresemoney X/Twitter: @JohnMatarese

For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com

The holiday shopping season is getting an earlier start than ever.

Walmart has already kicked off its major October sale, while Amazon and Target are rolling out competing sales events this week, setting the stage for weeks of holiday discounts and price battles.

But these sales aren't just for holiday gifts. Many shoppers are also using the deals to stock up on household essentials and everyday items.

WATCH as shopping experts show what to buy this month:

Holiday price wars have begun: What to buy nowShoppers Getting a Head Start

Michelle Gilmore is among those taking advantage of the early sales.

"New towels, rugs, stuff like that," she said.

Gilmore says early shopping also helps her prepare for family expenses.

"I have a kid in college, and a kid that just got a new apartment," she said.

Retailers say more consumers are shopping earlier to spread out holiday spending and avoid large credit card bills later in the season.

"You don't have to wait until Black Friday to do all your shopping," said Walmart spokesperson Jayna Hill.

"No, you can start your shopping early," Hill added.

According to industry surveys, about 4 in 10 shoppers now begin their holiday shopping in October.

"You can buy a little bit at a time, and the holidays don't feel like such a crunch on your budget," Hill said.

Not Ready to Buy? Start Watching Prices

Consumer experts say October sales can be valuable even if you're not ready to make a purchase.

Tracking prices over several weeks can help shoppers determine whether a sale is truly a bargain, according to Stephanie Carls of RetailMeNot.

"If you watch the same headphones go from $199 to $179 to maybe $149, you have a much better idea of whether that next sale is worth taking," Carls said.

Best Deals to Buy Now

Toy experts say parents and grandparents shouldn't wait too long if they spot a hot item.

"Because you never know if a product that's on the shelf today is going to be there when you return to the store," said James Zahn of The Toy Insider.

Technology experts at CNET also recommend grabbing a good laptop deal when you find one.

"We don't know what the next price increase is going to look like, and we don't know how good those sales are going to be in November," Dashia Milden of CNET said.

Worth Buying Now:

Experts say the best things to buy during these early sales include:

Headphones Earbuds LaptopsConsider Waiting For: TVs, which often see their deepest discounts on Black FridayProbably Not on Sale: Newly released smartphonesEarly Shopping Can Mean Less Stress

Shirley Kunz has already started checking items off her holiday list, picking up "Nightmare Before Christmas" merchandise for her grandson.

"Grandma usually puts it off, and I said, 'You know what? I know what he loves. Let's check it out,'" she said.

The bottom line: If you find an item you know you want at a price you're comfortable with, shopping early could save both money and stress as the holiday season approaches.

That way you don't waste your money.

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"Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").

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As Halloween approaches, many shoppers are finding that filling a candy bowl can cost much more than it did just a few years ago.

Reese's cups -- those are the best, said Christy Bowles while shopping at Walmart. I love shopping here for Halloween candy.

But chocolate treats often come with a higher price tag.

When you get into the bigger bags of chocolate, you are talking upwards of $23.96, said Walmart manager Jayna Hill.

Hill said rising chocolate prices have helped drive interest in mixed candy assortments that include non-chocolate options.

If youre on a budget, you dont have to just get chocolate. You can get a mixed bag that's got different flavors and the chocolate in it, Hill said.

Prices that will haunt you

The increase in candy prices isnt new for this trick-or-treat season.

According to FinanceBuzz, the cost of a 100-piece bag of Halloween candy climbed 71% between 2021 and this year, rising from $9.91 to $16.96.

WATCH as shoppers explain how they save on Halloween candy:

Best value Halloween candy, to avoid high chocolate prices

RetailMeNot retail insights expert Stephanie Carls said shoppers looking for value should compare the cost per piece rather than focusing on the price of the bag.

I personally want to know how many doorbell rings that bag is actually buying me, Carls said.

What are the cheapest candies?

There are several lower-cost candy options for shoppers to consider:

Dum-Dums cost about 6 cents per sucker Smarties average about 7 cents per roll Tootsie Roll Minis cost about 2 to 3 cents per piece

For chocolate and other popular sweets, Carls recommends shoppers aim for about 10 cents per piece when comparing options.

She also cautioned against buying more candy than needed.

A big warehouse bag may give you the lowest cost per piece but only saves you money if you actually need that much candy, Carls said.

Hill said shoppers in neighborhoods with fewer trick-or-treaters may be able to save money by purchasing smaller bags.

Maybe you don't see as many kids, so you invest in a bag that's $3.96, that's $7.96, and you're still able to take care of all the kids in the area, Hill said.

With candy prices continuing to rise, comparing the cost per piece, considering non-chocolate options and not overbuying can help stretch your Halloween budget, so you dont waste your money.

____________________________________

"Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").

Follow John:

Facebook: John Matarese Money Instagram: @johnmataresemoney X/Twitter: @JohnMatarese

For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com

As more shoppers embrace tap-to-pay technology, cybersecurity experts are warning consumers about a potential scam known as "ghost tapping."

It has nothing to do with Halloween. It's actually a form of digital theft that can occur without a criminal ever physically taking your wallet.

Contactless payments have become increasingly common, allowing people to pay by tapping a credit card, smartphone, or smartwatch at checkout.

The technology is fast, convenient, and generally considered secure. But experts say consumers should still be aware of emerging threats.

"It's a scary world we live in," said consumer Devon Brand after learning about the risks associated with contactless payments.

WATCH as a cybersecurity expert shows how thieves can now tap into your credit card:

'Ghost tapping' scam worsens: How to protect your credit card

Dave Hatter, a cybersecurity consultant with Intrust IT, describes ghost tapping as the modern version of pickpocketing.

"Instead of the old days where I bump into you and try to steal the wallet out of your pocket, now I am trying to bump into you and I am trying to read those cards," Hatter said.

While he stresses that consumers should not panic, he said the threat is real, especially in crowded environments where criminals can blend into the crowd.

"I wouldn't lose sleep over it, but there is a real risk," Hatter said.

Warning signs to watch for

The Better Business Bureau has warned consumers about tap-to-pay scams and recommends monitoring accounts for suspicious activity.

Potential red flags include:

Small, unfamiliar "test" charges on your credit card statement Merchants using tap-to-pay systems without clearly displaying the transaction amount Unexpected charges appearing after visits to festivals, markets, concerts, or while using public transit

How to protect yourself

Security experts recommend regularly reviewing your bank and credit card statements and enabling transaction alerts whenever possible.

For added protection, Hatter suggests using a faraday pouch or RFID-blocking wallet or card sleeve. These products, which can cost as little as $10 to $12, are designed to block wireless signals.

"The devices that are inside it can neither send nor receive any outside contact," Hatter said.

However, experts advise consumers to read product reviews and choose reputable brands before purchasing.

"Something like an RFID-blocking wallet, a quality one from a quality manufacturer, is worth looking into," Hatter said.

The Identity Theft Resource Center has also told AARP that chip-enabled payment cards and digital wallets remain among the most secure forms of payment available, second only to cash.

Bottom line

Despite concerns about ghost tapping, experts emphasize that contactless payments remain a safe and convenient way to make purchases.

Still, if you frequently spend time in crowded places such as festivals, markets, transit stations, or large events, an RFID-blocking wallet or similar protective device may offer additional peace of mind and help safeguard your finances, so you don't waste your money.

___________________________

"Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").

Follow John:

Facebook: John Matarese Money Instagram: @johnmataresemoney X/Twitter: @JohnMatarese

For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com