A cunning thief has figured out a way to turn his loot into a gift that keeps on giving.
After breaking into a car earlier this month and stealing credit cards left inside, a thief made his way to nearby Coles and Woolworths supermarkets, where he used the stolen credit cards to buy gift cards.
While credit cards can be cancelled, it is much harder to identify a stolen gift card and have it blocked from use.
This would enable the thief to continually purchase goods with the gift cards without being caught.
A member of the Coles Group & Myer Corporate Gift Card team said there is no way to cancel Coles gift cards and have the money refunded once they have been activated. And all Coles gift cards bought over the counter are automatically activated.
The only option available is to suspend the card, but one would need to know its number. However, the number cannot be traced via the credit card used to purchase the gift card.
It is possible, though, to trace Woolworths gift cards back to the method of payment.
A representative of Woolworths said the company's support team might be able to identify a gift card using the number of the credit card that purchased it.
In addition, should fraudulent activity be confirmed, there is an option to cancel the gift card.
However, to get their money back, the credit card's owner would need to go through their bank, not Woolworths.
The theft took place in the underground car park of Greensborough Plaza on December 17.
Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to in relation to the theft.
In it, he is wearing a black and grey hooded jumper, and light-coloured pants.
According to police, the man appears to be Caucasian, between 175 and 185cm tall and aged between 25 and 35-years-old.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.