The holiday shopping season is underway, but buyers beware. Thousands of cloned gift cards have been seized in Arizona.

Eight people were arrested Thursday, and thousands of gift cards and other merchandise were seized. Agents from the state Attorney General's Office worked in partnership with the Arizona Retailers Association and law enforcement.

According to a release, consumers should avoid gift cards in open areas that have damaged packaging, stickers over activation codes or other signs of tampering.

Also, double check that the number on the back of the gift card matches the number on the receipt. 

The investigation into this organized retail theft scheme is ongoing.

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