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Phone calls · Scam library

Gift card payment scam: how to spot it and what to do

Arrives by: Phone call, Text message, Email, Social media

By Nora Hale, OwlGuardian Safety DeskPublished How we research

Is it a scam?

If anyone tells you to pay them with a gift card, it's a scam. The FTC says only scammers ask for payment this way, whether they claim to be the IRS, Social Security, tech support, a utility, a prize company, a loved one in trouble, or a new romantic partner. If you already shared gift card numbers, call the company that issued the card right away and ask for your money back.

How the scam works.

  1. Someone contacts you with an urgent story. They may pretend to be the government, tech support, a utility, a prize company, a family member, or a romantic interest.

  2. They tell you exactly which gift card to buy and where, sometimes at several stores.

  3. They may stay on the phone with you while you shop.

  4. They ask for the card number and PIN, or a photo of the back of the card. Once they have it, the money can be gone in minutes.

Red flags to look for.

Illustrative example · Phone call

Incoming call

+1 (571) 555-0164

Ma'am, I need you to stay on the line with me while you drive to the store. Buy three gift cards for $500 each. If that store won't sell you all three, go to the next one. When you're back in the car, scratch off the back and read me the card numbers and PINs, or just send me a photo. This is the only way to stop the charges today.
An example of the scam message, written to show the common pattern. It is not a real message.

Written from the patterns official sources describe. Phone numbers and web addresses in it are fake.

  1. Anyone asks you to pay with a gift card. That alone means it's a scam.

  2. They tell you which brand of card to buy and which store to go to.

  3. They want you to visit more than one store.

  4. They stay on the phone while you're in the store.

  5. They ask for the numbers and PIN on the back, or a photo of the card.

  6. They say it's urgent or that you'll be in trouble if you don't.

The real thing vs. the scam.

What the real organization does

What the scammer does

Real government agencies, companies and courts don't take payment in gift cards.

“Pay the fine with gift cards and read me the numbers.”

If you got this message.

  • Stop. Hang up or stop replying. Gift cards are for gifts, not payments.
  • Don't read card numbers or PINs to anyone, and don't send photos of the back of a card.
  • Call someone you trust and tell them what happened.
  • Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, even if you didn't pay.

If you already clicked, paid or shared information.

  1. Call the company that issued the gift card right away, no matter how long ago it happened. Tell them the card was used in a scam and ask for your money back.

  2. Numbers for common gift card companies: Amazon 1-888-280-4331, Apple 1-800-275-2273, Best Buy 1-888-237-8289, Target 1-800-544-2943, Walmart 1-888-537-5503, Visa 1-800-847-2911, Vanilla 1-833-322-6760, American Express 1-877-297-4438. For other brands, see ftc.gov/giftcards.

  3. Keep the gift cards and the store receipts. You may need them.

  4. If you also shared bank or card details, call your bank or card company. Use the number on the back of your card or in the official app.

  5. If you shared your Social Security number, go to IdentityTheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan, and freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Freezing is free.

  6. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you're 60 or older, the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311 can help you report it (weekdays, 10am to 6pm Eastern).

  7. Expect follow-up calls or messages offering to get your money back for a fee. Those are scams too. Real agencies never charge to help you get a refund.

Money already sent? Start with the free C.A.L.M. recovery wizard or get step-by-step help. And watch out for anyone who offers to get it back for a fee.

Already sent money?

Call the bank now.

Use the number on the card. Then follow the steps.

Get help now

Not sure about a message?

Check it in a minute.

Answer a few yes-or-no questions and see how risky it looks.

Try the scam checker

More specific help

How OwlGuardian helps

Make the next scam bounce off.

OwlGuardian doesn't listen to calls. If someone is pushing you to buy gift cards, hang up and call your Trusted Contact, or say “Hey Siri, call my Owl” to check a text or message in about five seconds. Suspicious emails asking for gift cards are quarantined in Gmail before you see them.

OwlGuardian quietly checks your parent's Gmail with AI, moves scam emails out of sight, and asks you before anything risky gets through. $4.99/month after a 30-day free trial.

Download OwlGuardian on the App StoreSee how it works

Questions people ask.

Can I get my money back from a gift card scam?
Sometimes, if you act fast. The FTC says to report it to the gift card company right away, no matter how long ago it happened, and ask for your money back. Keep the card and receipt.
Does the IRS, Social Security or a court ever accept gift cards?
No. The Social Security Inspector General says no legitimate government employee will ask for gift cards, and the FTC says only scammers say you can pay a fine with gift cards.
Someone on the phone wants me to buy gift cards right now. What do I do?
Hang up. It's a scam, no matter who they say they are. Then call a family member or friend you trust and tell them about the call.
Why do scammers want gift cards?
Gift cards work like cash. Once a scammer has the numbers and PIN, they can spend the money quickly, and it's hard to trace or reverse.

Sources

The example above is illustrative, written from the patterns official sources describe. Phone numbers and web addresses in it are fake.

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