Consumers of Gift Cards Can Be Targeted by scams
Understand • Avoid • Report
Payment Scams
Payment scams occurs when the scammer deceives an unsuspecting consumer into buying a gift card (purportedly to make payment for something), gets the consumer to provide the perpetrator with access to the gift card, and then absconds with the card funds. Consumers can fight back by understanding the scams, avoiding the scams and reporting the scams.
Understand payment ScamS
The gift card scams perpetrated by scammers typically follow a pattern:
The Hook:
Step one is to get a consumer to buy gift cards using the consumer’s own money. Learn More >
The Score:
Step two is to get a consumer to give the purchased gift cards to the scammer. Learn More >
Know your role:
Know the roles consumers can unsuspectingly play in the gift card scam. Learn More >
Avoid Payment Scams
If you are confronted with a gift card scam or see a red flag, the best practice is to do the following:
Stop
Do not move forward
Do not purchase gift cards
Hang up on the phone call
Do not respond to the scammer's email or text
No matter how compelling, resist the fake reasons and report the scam
For more about gift card scams visit:
RGCA Consumer Center • FTC Consumer Advice • AARP Fraud Network