Being Tricky
The short answer
Gift card scams are any scheme where someone tells you to pay them by buying gift cards and sharing the card numbers.
At a glance
About 15 minutes · Medium · For Security
Key point 1 of 5
The FTC lists many cover stories.
Key point 2 of 5
You’re told to pay with gift cards.
Key point 3 of 5
Gift cards aren’t the only red flag.
Key point 4 of 5
Share the one-line rule: nobody official ever wants gift cards.
Step 5 of 5
Stop and hang up (or stop replying). You don’t owe the caller an explanation.
Quick tip
Cashiers are often trained to ask why you’re buying a stack of gift cards.
Watch out
Watch for a second scam. People who lost money are often contacted by someone offering to “recover” it for a fee.
You might ask
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.
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Being Tricky