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Gift Cards: A Favorite for Scammers

Gift cards are meant to be convenient and fun, a quick way to treat friends, family, or yourself. Unfortunately, scammers love them too, but for very different reasons.
 
Why Scammers Use Gift Cards
Gift cards are like digital cash. Once the numbers are shared, the money is gone. They are easy to buy, hard to trace, and nearly impossible to recover once redeemed. This makes them a perfect tool for fraudsters looking to trick people into paying without leaving a clear trail.
 
Common Gift Card Scams
Scammers often pressure their victims into buying gift cards by creating urgency or fear. Here are a few common examples:
  • Imposter Scams: The caller pretends to be from the IRS, a utility company, or your bank, claiming you owe money and must pay immediately with gift cards.
  • Tech Support Scams: A fake support agent says your computer has a virus and demands payment for repairs via gift cards.
  • Romance or Friend-in-Need Scams: Someone you met online, or a scammer pretending to be a loved one, claims they need urgent help and asks for payment in gift cards.
  • Prize or Lottery Scams: You are told you have won a prize but must pay taxes or fees first with gift cards.
How to Protect Yourself
  • Know the red flags: No legitimate company or government agency will ever demand payment in gift cards.
  • Do not share the numbers: Treat the card’s code like cash. Once shared, it is gone.
  • Check before you buy: If you get a request for gift cards, verify the story with a trusted source before taking action. 
If You Think You Have Been Scammed
Act fast. Report it immediately to the gift card issuer and to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov. While recovering funds is not guaranteed, quick action can help prevent further loss and assist in investigations.
 
The Bottom Line
Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. If someone asks you to pay with one, it is a scam. Protect yourself and your money by thinking twice before buying that card.
 


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