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Bill

SD 269

An act relative to gift card tampering

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Moore

Massachusetts bill criminalizes gift card tampering and counterfeiting, establishing penalties to deter fraud and protect consumers from fraudulent balance alterations.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 269

Legislative bill overview

SD 269 addresses the fraudulent tampering, alteration, or counterfeiting of gift cards in Massachusetts. The bill establishes penalties for individuals who deliberately modify gift card information, balances, or security features to commit fraud.

Why is this important

Gift card fraud causes direct financial losses to consumers and retailers. Clear statutory penalties deter tampering and provide law enforcement with explicit legal tools to prosecute this increasingly common form of fraud.

Potential points of contention

  • Penalty severity: Questions about whether proposed penalties are proportionate to the offense or if they align with similar fraud statutes
  • Definitional scope: Ambiguity about what constitutes "tampering" (e.g., does this include digital manipulation, physical alteration, or both?)
  • Enforcement burden: Unclear how retailers and authorities will detect and report tampering, and who bears investigation costs
  • Civil vs. criminal liability: Whether the bill addresses both criminal prosecution and civil restitution to affected parties

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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