Gift Card Scams: Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Gift card scams are on the rise! In Quarter 1 and 2 of 2024 alone there have been 1,085,474 reported frauds with over $5 million dollars in losses. Be safe and be aware this holiday season on potential gift card scams.
Be Alert at Checkout
When purchasing gift cards, ask yourself:
Is this truly for a gift?
Is someone on the phone or email directing you to buy it?
Remember: Gift cards are for gifts only. If it's not for a birthday, anniversary, or another gift-giving occasion, it's likely a scam.
How Scammers Operate
Scammers use various methods to contact you:
Phone calls
Text messages
Emails
Social media messages
They may pose as:
Government officials (demanding taxes or fines)
Tech support (claiming to fix computer issues)
Prize distributors (requesting upfront payment)
Employers (requesting gift cards for special events)
Some scammers even use AI to clone voices, mimicking family members in distress.
Key red flags:
Urgent demands
Pressure to act quickly
Threats of negative consequences
If You've Been Scammed
Act immediately if you suspect you've given gift card information to a scammer, regardless of when the incident occurred:
Contact the gift card company: Use the official "How To Contact Gift Card Companies" list, and report the scam.
Request a refund: Some companies offer refunds for scam victims. You can always ask, even if you're unsure.
Report to the FTC: Visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps protect others!
Remember
Gift cards are for gifts only and any request to use gift cards as payment is likely a scam!
For more information, visit ftc.gov/giftcards.
Share this guide with friends, family, and your community to combat gift card scams!