Gift Card Scams

Gift card scams are fraud attempts where criminals trick victims into purchasing gift cards and sending the codes or information from them. Scammers often pretend to be trusted organizations, businesses, or people in need of urgent help.

Their goal is to turn gift cards into untraceable payments. Once the scammer receives the gift card details, the money is usually gone and difficult to recover.

How Gift Card Scams Work

The Catch

They create panic or urgency by claiming there is an emergency, unpaid bill, account issue, or consequence if you do not pay.

The Scam

Once the gift card information is shared, the scammer takes the money and disappears or demands additional payments.

Protect Yourself

Browse the manual below to learn tips on how to stay safe.

Warning Signs / Red Flags

Someone demands payment using gift cards
They create a sense of urgency or panic
They ask you to read gift card numbers or send pictures of codes
They claim to be from a company, government agency, or support team
They threaten consequences if you do not pay immediately
They tell you not to tell anyone about the payment
They request unusual payment methods instead of normal options
They ask for multiple gift cards or increasing amounts of money
They contact you unexpectedly about an issue you did not know about
The situation feels rushed or suspicious

How to Stay Safe

Never use gift cards to pay bills, fines, or unexpected fees
Ignore anyone who demands gift card payments
Verify requests by contacting the organization directly
Do not share gift card numbers or security codes
Take time to think before making urgent payments
Talk to friends or family if a request seems suspicious
Remember that legitimate companies rarely request gift cards
Report suspicious messages or calls

What To Do If You've Been Scammed

Contact the gift card company immediately
Keep the gift card and purchase receipts
Report the scam to the platform where contact happened
Contact your bank if additional payments were involved
Change passwords if personal information was shared
Save messages, emails, and payment details as evidence
Report the scam to the appropriate fraud reporting agency
Be cautious of follow-up scammers offering recovery help

Quick Checklist

Am I being asked to pay with a gift card?
Did I receive an unexpected request for payment?
Am I being pressured to act immediately?
Is someone asking for gift card numbers or codes?
Did I verify the request through an official source?
Would a legitimate company ask for this payment method?
Am I being told to keep the payment secret?
Does this situation feel unusual or suspicious?

Don’t wait until it happens to you.

Start Checking Messages

Gift Card Scams

How Gift Card Scams Work

The Fake Request

The Gift Card Demand

The Payment

The Catch

The Scam

Protect Yourself

Don’t wait until it happens to you.