Gift Card Scams Explained;
Don’t Get Tricked
It’s common to hear stories about various financial scams and assume it would never happen to you. Unfortunately, anyone can fall victim to scams, including gift card scams. There are several types of gift card scams, and new ones emerge every day. What they all have in common is a sense of urgency. Scammers try to convince you to buy gift cards to solve a fake problem. Don’t believe them. It’s a scam!
No legitimate business or government agency will ever demand you fix a problem or pay a debt by purchasing gift cards. If someone claims to be a friend or family member, contact that person directly to confirm the situation. Gift cards are for gifts, not for payments of taxes, bills, fees or bail! Never give an unknown person access to gift card numbers and pins.
What should you do if you are targeted by a gift card scam?
Don’t be embarrassed – you’re not alone! Report It. Every report helps law enforcement investigate, arrest and prosecute scammers.
- Save evidence! Call logs, messages, receipts…it can help law enforcement identify the scammers.
- Call the gift card company and tell them what happened.
- Inform local police where you live and where you purchased the gift cards, so they know scammers are targeting people in their communities.
- Tell your state attorney general’s office. Find your state’s AG’s contact info here.
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ftc.gov. Scammers rarely operate in just one jurisdiction or state. Reporting scams to the FTC helps the federal government investigate and ultimately prosecute the criminal rings that run gift card scams.
Gift card scams are designed to trick you, don’t give in to the scammers! If you get an unsolicited message:
- Rebuff the scammer. Do not respond to their message.
- Report it. Law enforcement needs to know.
- Remember that gift cards should only be purchased for gifts!
For more information visit the FTC site on avoiding and reporting gift card scams
