A Tauranga woman is frustrated after losing more than $500 to thieves who found her wallet – and is warning others to be careful with gift cards.

Gabi Wood lost her wallet four weeks ago, and says whoever found it ‘wasn't kind enough' to return it to her.

Instead, they spent around $200 on her credit card in several transactions before she could cancel it, and $361 off a Prezzy card that was also in her wallet.

'I didn't even realise I had lost my wallet – it was ANZ who contacted me when they realised someone else was using my card.”

She had already spent $149 of the $500 Prezzy card, which only required a signature to authorise, not a PIN.

'They spent what I had left on it,” says Gabi. 'The thieves rang the 0800 number on the card to check how much I had left. They then went to Liqourland on Cameron Road and asked the manager if they could use it, and had a whole story about buying alcohol for their son's 21st birthday.”

They spent $361 on alcohol, forging Gabi's signature.

'I visited Liquorland the next day and told them the card was stolen. I asked for their security camera images to pass for the police, which they provided. But the manager didn't seem to think it was their fault.”

Liquorland owner Lisa Parker says the signature was carefully reviewed when it was provided, and matched closely.

'Our staff followed all due processes and procedures, and the signature was checked. We've provided security footage and all assistance we can to the police.”

She says the situation is similar to someone coming in off the street with stolen cash or debit cards – the retailer has no way of knowing the customer is paying with stolen funds.

Gabi tried to get the Prezzy card cancelled after realising her wallet had been stolen, but had to register it first. She managed to do so, but was only minutes too late to cancel it, as she was informed the balance was zero after the thieves had cleaned it out.

Kiwibank, who issued the Prezzy card, encourages customers to register their Prezzy card online as soon as they receive it.

'By registering the card customers can dispute unauthorised transactions, and if the card is reported lost or stolen, we can cancel it and provide a replacement, carrying over any unused value (minus fees).”