Scam category
Gift card scams
Gift card scams are a favorite payment method for fraudsters because gift cards are nearly impossible to trace or reverse once redeemed. Scammers posing as government agents, tech support, or even your boss demand payment in gift cards, then ask you to read the numbers over the phone. Other schemes involve tampering with cards on store racks to steal balances.
Category activity
“gift card scam”
↑ 29%Watch for
- Anyone asks you to pay a bill, fee, tax, or debt using gift cards from stores like Target, Apple, or Google Play.
- A gift card you just purchased shows a zero balance when you try to redeem it.
- The packaging on a gift card at the store shows signs of tampering, resealing, or exposed PIN numbers.
Common searches
OpenScam News Feed
payment by gift card demand scam
A scammer posing as a government agent, utility company, or other authority demands you pay a debt, fine, or fee by purchasing gift cards and reading the numbers over the phone.
Hang up immediately — gift cards are for gifts, not payments. No real organization demands gift card payment.
Older adults
U.S.
gift card balance drain scam
Scammers tamper with gift cards on retail display racks by recording the card numbers, then monitor for activation and drain the balance before the buyer can use it.
Inspect gift card packaging carefully for signs of tampering before purchasing.
Gift card buyers
U.S.
gift card activation fee scam
A fake website or phone call claims your gift card requires an activation fee before it can be used, tricking you into providing payment information.
Activate gift cards only through the official website or phone number listed on the card issuer's official site.
Gift card buyers
U.S.
retail store impersonator gift card scam
Scammers call or email pretending to be from a major retailer, claiming there is a problem with your recent gift card purchase and requesting the card numbers to 'verify' or 'replace' it.
Never share gift card numbers or PINs with anyone who contacts you — retailers will not call asking for this information.
Gift card buyers
U.S.
boss gift card request scam
An email or text impersonating your boss or company executive urgently asks you to buy gift cards for clients or employees and send the card numbers — a business email compromise variant.
Verify any unusual request from a supervisor by calling or speaking to them in person — not by replying to the email.
Employees
U.S.
tech support gift card payment scam
A fake tech support agent claims your computer is infected or your account is compromised and demands payment in gift cards to fix the issue.
Legitimate tech companies never demand payment in gift cards — hang up or close the pop-up.
Older adults
U.S.
IRS gift card payment scam
A caller impersonating an IRS agent threatens arrest or legal action unless you pay a supposed tax debt immediately with gift cards purchased from a retail store.
Hang up — the IRS never demands payment by gift card. This is always a scam.
Taxpayers
U.S.
romance scam gift card request
An online romantic interest builds a relationship over weeks or months, then asks for gift cards as a way to help with an emergency, travel expenses, or proof of love.
Never send gift cards or gift card photos to someone you have not met in person.
Older adults
U.S.
gift card resale fraud scam
Scammers sell gift cards online at a discount that turn out to be empty, stolen, or already redeemed — leaving the buyer with a worthless card.
Buy gift cards only from authorized retailers or the brand's official website.
Gift card buyers
U.S.
tampered gift card rack scam
Criminals physically tamper with gift cards on retail display racks by exposing and recording PINs or replacing barcodes, then drain the funds once an unsuspecting customer activates the card.
Inspect gift cards carefully before purchasing — look for scratched PIN covers, extra stickers, or damaged packaging.
Gift card buyers
U.S.
Amazon gift card payment scam
Scammers impersonate authority figures — government agents, employers, or Amazon itself — and demand victims purchase Amazon gift cards and share the redemption codes as a form of payment.
No legitimate organization or government agency will ever demand payment in gift cards — hang up immediately.
Older adults
U.S.
Apple gift card payment demand scam
Scammers posing as government agencies, utilities, or law enforcement demand payment via Apple gift cards, claiming it is the only way to resolve a fine, debt, or legal issue.
No legitimate organization ever demands payment in gift cards — hang up immediately.
Older adults
U.S.
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