The oldest profession in the world, prostitution, is a recession proof business apparently. In the city of Pittsburgh, Chief Leo McCarthy tells the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that their precinct is noticing more and more ladies with gift cards in their possession instead of hard cash.

“You automatically believe cash is an ill-gotten gain,” McCarthy said. “But if you see a couple of gift cards, you might not think twice. It’s just another game people play.”

The prostitutes are using the gift cards to try to avoid having their illegal wages seized when they’re arrested. The Justice Department issued a warning years ago that gift cards are an ideal device to launder money with little chance of discovery or seizure by police, the newspaper said.

“It’s becoming more difficult to find cash on them,” North Fayette Township police Chief Jeffrey Falconer said.

Findlay Township police Chief Jesse Lesko said his officers are still finding cash on prostitutes, but expects that could change soon because prostitution suspects “don’t like to give up the $5,000 or $6,000 they’ve earned over a weekend.”

Prostitutes and pimps have figured out a way to avoid giving their cash up. Pretty slick!  Even the cards they use are actual “stored-value” cards. These type of gift cards are issued by Visa and other credit companies. For prostitutes, these cards are best because they can be replenished with cash.

For more on the story, go HERE!