Gift Card Scams

Scammers pretend to be representatives from the IRS or other government agency and demand payment for a debt. Sometimes the scammer threatens arrest, deportation, or the loss of a home or car for nonpayment.

In another variation of the government imposter scam, the victim is told to purchase gift cards as vouchers to protect their assets while law enforcement investigates a crime supposedly linked to the victim. The scammers will instruct victims to purchase one or more gift cards and provide the gift card numbers and PINs over the phone.

Scammers will call and say a loved one is in trouble or hurt. The scammer instructs the victim to purchase gift cards and give the gift card numbers to the scammer over the phone to help the family member.

There is always a sense of urgency, and scammers will often impersonate the family member. Some scammers claim the family member will convert the gift cards into cash rather than use the gift cards directly.

Scammers use online ads or phone calls to convince victims that their computer requires tech support for viruses or other problems. Scammers often impersonate representatives from well-known tech companies. They may request remote access to the computer to find personal and financial information. The scam may include a request for gift cards as payment for their “services” or to protect a victim’s financial assets.

Do not respond to tech support offers that you did not initiate and never give remote access to your computer in response to an unsolicited request. Legitimate tech support representatives do not initiate contact via phone or pop-up ad and will never ask you to purchase gift cards for any reason.

Scammers send a check and letter to victims and inform them that they can make money as a “mystery shopper” for a retail store. They try to get victims to deposit a fake check to buy items and gift cards at a store.

The fake check bounces after the victim has sent gift cards and merchandise to the scammer. The scammer may also use this tactic to attempt to get personal information from the victim.

Phishing scams are ones in which the scammer spoofs a local phone number or known business email to trick a victim into revealing personal information or sending gift cards. Scammers may ask a potential victim to verify their account information or create a story for why the account information is needed.

Some entice victims by saying they have won a contest, grant, or some type of reward they can only claim once information is verified. Emails or texts often look legitimate, and phone calls claim to be from legitimate sources. Remember, a financial institution will not ask for your account information over the phone or through email or text and you cannot win a contest you did not enter.

Scammers pose as a company or individual advertising a job opportunity. Often, a victim is sent a check to deposit with instructions to use to the funds to purchase gift cards or send a portion of the money to a third party. The check will bounce, and the victim is left responsible for the transactions.

Associates of The Home Depot will always use email addresses with the domain homedepot.com to communicate with job seekers. If someone claims to an associate at The Home Depot but is emailing from an email address that does not end in homedepot.com, the contact is likely a scam.

Romance scams typically originate on dating sites or social media websites. The scammers attempt to gain the trust of their victims by forming a friendship or claiming they have fallen in love very quickly. The scammers then ask for gift cards they claim are needed for an emergency or for a visit to the victim. If someone you have not met in person is asking you for money, do not send them gift cards.

Remember: No legitimate transactions will require you to pay with gift cards. Some scammers may try to make the interaction seem more legitimate by claiming they plan to convert the gift cards into cash rather than use the gift card funds directly.

Scammers may pose as an executive or business partner of a company to send a request for gift cards to an employee of the company. The scammer claims gift cards are urgently needed for the company holiday party or a surprise bonus.

These scams are typically conducted via email and the scammers will often use an email address similar to the real one used by a company executive. If a boss or business partner is requesting for you to make a gift card purchase, reach out in person or by phone to confirm the request is valid.