Protecting Your Gift Cards and Yourself from Scams
Gift cards bring joy to millions of consumers every year. They are a convenient way to celebrate someone — letting them choose exactly what they want while still giving a personal touch.
But that convenience also makes gift cards a target for scammers, who try to steal card balances by tampering with cards on store racks, tricking people into sharing card numbers, or pressuring individuals to pay “fees” or “debts” with gift cards.
The Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance brings together retailers, gift card networks, state retail associations, law enforcement and other stakeholders to stop scammers in their tracks and keep gift cards safe. But we can’t do it alone.
Consumers should know what to look-out for and stay vigilant. And report suspicious activity to law enforcement to ensure scammers are held accountable for their crimes.
Tips for Keeping Gift Cards Safe
Gift cards offer convenience and flexibility, but they are also targeted by scammers. Protect yourself and your loved ones by following these essential safety tips:
Inspect the gift card packaging before buying
Watch for tampering, such as cuts, tears, marks, or odd stickers and layers.
- Check the PIN Cover: Inspect the sticker or scratch-off to make sure it’s smooth, intact, and not tampered with. If it looks wrinkled or loose, choose a different card and alert store staff.
- Buy From Trusted Retailers: Purchase gift cards only from reputable retailers. Avoid discounted or secondhand cards sold on third-party sites — many of these are scams.
- Save Your Receipt and Packaging: Keep your receipt and the original gift card packaging. This information is essential if you need to report fraud or resolve an issue with your purchase.
Never Share Your Gift Card Number — It’s Always a Scam
Government agencies like the social security department, IRS, DMV, or local police department will never demand you pay a balance owed with a gift card. And legitimate companies will never ask you to pay for services or products with gift cards.
- Ignore Fake Virus Alerts: If a pop-up says your computer has a virus and demands a gift card payment, ignore it — it’s a scam.
- Don’t Pay Bail with Gift Cards: No legitimate official will ever ask for bail or emergency payments using a gift card.
- Prize Claims Never Require Gift Cards: If someone says you’ve won the lottery or a large prize but must pay with a gift card to claim it, it’s a scam.
- Stop the Pressure: Hang up. Don’t respond to texts or emails. You should never feel pressured to buy gift cards for payment.
- Use a Family Safe Word: Scammers can mimic voices using AI. A prearranged safe word helps you confirm if a real loved one is in danger – so you can avoid impersonation scams. .
Check gift card balances only on official websites
Use only the website or the phone number on the back of the gift card to check your balance.
- Go Directly to the Website: Type the official web address directly into your browser to avoid fraudulent sites.
- Avoid Using Search Engines: Do not rely on third-party search engines to find balance-check pages. Scammers create spoofed sites designed to steal your gift card information.
- Never Click Balance-Check Links: Don’t use links from emails, texts, or third-party websites to check your gift card balance — these are common entry points for scams.
What to Do if Your Gift Card Is Drained or Used in a Scam
If you discover your gift card has been drained or you were scammed into purchasing gift cards as payment of a debt, act quickly. Here are key steps to follow:
- Report The Scam: File a report with your local police department, your state’s Attorney General’s Office, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Every report helps law enforcement build stronger cases against scammers.
- Contact The Gift Card Company: Contact the company listed on the back of the gift card and provide details on what happened. If your card was tampered with, you can also contact the retailer where you purchased the card. Some retailers and gift card networks may be able to freeze the remaining balance or help with recovery.
- Monitor Your Accounts: If you shared your personal information like name, social security number, and/or date of birth with the scammer, consider placing fraud alerts on your credit reports and regularly check your bank statements for suspicious activity.
Gift card fraud is the exception, not the rule. But you still need to be vigilant.
Stay informed, share these tips with friends and family, report suspicious activity, and remember: when in doubt, pause and tell someone you trust. Together we can protect the joy that gift cards bring and keep gift cards safe for gifts!
