DAYTON, Ohio -- As you're making your holiday gift lists, you may want to take extra caution with one popular gift.

The Better Business Bureau is warning the public about a new scam involving gift cards.

We can't tell you exactly how it works because we don't want to give any would-be crooks more tricks of the trade. But, the important thing to know is how to protect yourself.

John North, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau said, "Scam artists are always trying to reinvent themselves and coming up with more shady ways to get your dollars."

The BBB said gift cards are an easy mark. Officials said that thieves walk up to racks of gift cards and write down important information from the backs of the cards. With a few easy steps, once you buy the card and it's activated -- the thieves are cashing in on your dollars -- all anonymously and all on the web.

North said, "They take the card, make purchases online, and take the entire value of the card away from you."

Shoppers that News Center 7 spoke to said they are disgusted with these gift card thieves. Stacy Williams of Kettering said, "That's not right!"

The BBB said you can protect yourself by checking the back of the gift cards to see if they have been tampered with, removed from the case, or if any coding has been scratched off. Also, it is important that those who received the gift cards use them as soon as possible.

Then, there is another option. As Stacy Williams said, "Give cash if you have it."