Payment by gift card? It’s a scam!

Gift cards are popular and convenient… for consumers as well as criminals, who often favor gift cards as an easy and hard-to-trace form of payment in their scams. They may seek to convince targets to purchase gift cards to pay a bill or fee or to claim a prize. No legitimate government agency or business accepts gift cards as payment.

man talking on a mobile phone and holding a gift card with text that says asking to be paid by gift card is always a scam always say no

Signs to watch for

1. You’re directed to buy one or more gift cards — often referred to as “electronic vouchers” — as a quick means of making payment.

2. You’re told to share the numbers on the back of the gift cards, by reading them off or sending a picture.

3. The request comes from someone you wouldn’t expect to ask for money this way:

A government agency like Social Security warning of a problem with your account
A “tech support” popup message with a phone number urging you to call for help with a major device malfunction that you can pay for with a gift card
A utility company warning of an imminent shutoff
A lottery company promising a big prize — once you pay some fees upfront
A grandchild needing bail or facing another financial emergency

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How to Protect Yourself

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This Woman Stopped a Gift Card Scam in Progress

Thanks to what she learned from the AARP Fraud Watch Network, Dianne Bostic knew that a request for gift cards is a red flag for scams.

Report fraud and help others

Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network^TM Helpline and tell us about fraud attempts that happened to you or someone you know. Your call can help prevent others from being victimized.

Call us: 877-908-3360

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET

What to do after gift card payment fraud

If you or someone you love has experienced this financial crime, turn the card over and call the issuer at the number provided; they may be able to freeze the card before some or all of the funds are drained.

If you had money stolen from this or another type of fraud, report it to local law enforcement, and insist on a report. The report may help prove what happened in the event there is a means of restitution down the road. Experts also suggest reporting to the FBI at IC3.gov.

How AARP Can Help

Knowledge gives you power over scams. The AARP Fraud Watch Network^TM equips you with reliable, up-to-date insights, and our free fraud Helpline is available to help you and loved ones if you need it. We also advocate at the state, federal, and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws. With AARP as your partner, you’ll be better equipped to stay ahead of scammers.

Call Our Helpline

Get the information you need to protect yourself

Report a Scam

See scams in your area or report a gift card scam

Watchdog Alerts

Keep up with scams involving gift card payments

AARP is fighting for you: According to the Federal Trade Commission, gift cards are one of the most popular and convenient ways for scammers to request payment. AARP is committed to cutting off this source of criminal money transfer by helping consumers identify warning signs and working with retailers on how to spot and intervene in a crime involving gift cards.

Common Scams Involving Gift Card Payments

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VIDEO: Gift Card Payment Scams

Why Scammers Love Gift Card Payments

Readily available
Virtually untraceable
Easily converted to cash or bitcoin
Ability to move large amounts of money in small parcels

More on Gift Card Scams

How Gift Card Scams Work

Criminals may demand payment via gift card or steal the value of cards at retailers

How Much Do You Know About Gift Cards and Scams?

Take this quiz to see if you are savvy about gift card scams

In ‘Do Me a Favor’ Scams, a Criminal Pretends to Be a Pal

An increasingly common scheme involves impostors claiming to need help buying gift cards

Why Gift Cards Are Gold Mines for Scammers, Part 1

Many people see the racks of gift cards as convenient gifts. But criminals see a tool to steal money

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