Gift card scams are any scheme where someone tells you to pay them by buying gift cards and sharing the card numbers. The FTC is blunt: no real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them. If anyone does, it’s a scam. Hang up.
If you already paid, contact the company that issued the card right away, tell them it was used in a scam, keep the card and receipt, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
This explainer is part of our security guides. It’s a good one to share with parents and grandparents, who are often the people these callers target.
Why scammers love gift cards
Gift cards act like cash. Once a scammer has the card number and PIN, they can spend or resell the balance within minutes, often before you realize what happened. There’s no bank in the middle asking questions, and the money is hard to trace.
Gift cards are for gifts. That one rule protects you from almost every version of this scam.
How gift card scams work: the common stories
The FTC lists many cover stories. The details change, but the ending is always “buy gift cards and read me the numbers”.
- Government imposter. A caller says they’re from the IRS, Social Security or even the FTC and you owe taxes or a fine.
- Tech support. Someone claiming to be from Microsoft or Apple says your computer has a problem and the fix costs money.
- Family emergency. A “grandchild” or friend in trouble needs money fast. Scammers can now use cloned voices, so read our guide to the AI voice scam too.
- Prize or sweepstakes. You’ve “won”, but must pay a fee first.
- Utility shutoff. Your power or water will be cut off today unless you pay now.
- Romance. Someone you met online needs help with a bill or a ticket.
- Fake check. You get a check for too much money and are told to send back the difference in gift cards. The check bounces later.
Red flags of a gift card scam
- You’re told to pay with gift cards. That alone is enough. Stop.
- They name the brand and the store. The FTC says scammers often send people to stores like Walmart, Target, CVS or Walgreens for specific cards.
- They want the card number and PIN read over the phone, texted, or sent as a photo of the back of the card.
- They tell you to stay on the phone while you shop, or to lie to the cashier about why you’re buying the cards.
- Urgency and threats. Arrest, a shutoff, a lost prize or a relative in danger, unless you act right now.
- Secrecy. “Don’t tell anyone” or “don’t talk to your bank.”
Cashiers are often trained to ask why you’re buying a stack of gift cards. If a caller told you what to say to them, that’s a sign you’re being scammed. Tell the cashier the truth and let them help.
What to do if someone asks you to pay with gift cards
- Stop and hang up (or stop replying). You don’t owe the caller an explanation.
- Check the story yourself. Call the agency, company or relative using a number you already have or look up on their official website, never one the caller gives you.
- Talk to someone you trust before you send money. Scammers rely on you deciding alone and in a hurry.
- Report the attempt at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, even if you didn’t pay.
If you already paid with gift cards
Act fast. If the scammer hasn’t spent the balance yet, the card company may be able to freeze it.
- Contact the company that issued the card. Use the phone number on the back of the card or on the issuer’s official site. The FTC’s gift card page lists contact numbers for major issuers such as Amazon, Apple, Google Play, Walmart and Target.
- Tell them a scammer tricked you into giving them the card numbers, and ask whether they can refund your money.
- Keep the cards and receipts. You’ll need the numbers and purchase details.
- Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If the scam happened online, you can also report it to the FBI at ic3.gov.
- If you also shared other information, such as your Social Security number, go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan. If you gave someone access to your computer, update your security software, run a scan and change your passwords.
Watch for a second scam. People who lost money are often contacted by someone offering to “recover” it for a fee. Real agencies don’t charge you to get your money back.
Other payment methods scammers ask for
Gift cards aren’t the only red flag. Wire transfers, cryptocurrency, payment apps and cash sent by mail or courier are all hard to reverse, which is why scammers like them. The FTC’s guide on what to do if you were scammed has steps for each. In short:
| How you paid | What to do first |
|---|---|
| Gift card | Call the card issuer, keep the card and receipt |
| Credit or debit card | Call your card issuer or bank and dispute the charge |
| Wire transfer | Call the wire service (such as Western Union or MoneyGram) right away |
| Payment app or Zelle | Report it in the app and to your bank, and ask to reverse it |
| Cryptocurrency | Contact the exchange or ATM operator; recovery is unlikely |
| Cash by mail | Call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 |
How to protect older relatives
- Share the one-line rule: nobody official ever wants gift cards.
- Agree that anyone can call you before sending money, at any hour, with no judgment.
- Set up a family code word for emergency calls, as explained in our AI voice scam guide.
- Turn on call and text filtering on their phone. Our guide to blocking spam calls shows how.
Related guide: Your Password Was Leaked? Do These 6 Things Right Now.
FAQ
Can I get my money back from a gift card scam?
Sometimes. If the scammer hasn’t spent the balance, the card issuer may freeze and refund it. Contact the issuer immediately and keep the card and receipt.
Does the IRS ever accept gift cards?
No. The FTC says no real business or government agency will tell you to buy a gift card to pay them. A caller demanding gift cards is a scammer.
Is it a scam if someone asks for a photo of the back of a gift card?
Yes. The photo shows the card number and PIN, which is all they need to spend the balance.
What should I tell the cashier?
The truth. If someone on the phone told you to buy gift cards to pay a bill or fine, tell the cashier. They can help you stop.
Where do I report gift card scams?
Report them to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and tell the company that issued the card. Report online fraud to the FBI at ic3.gov.
