Guide Bank & Zelle
Gift Card Scams: Why Anyone Who Asks Is a Scammer
No real agency or company asks for payment in gift cards. How gift card scams work, what to do in the first hour, and how to ask for your money back.
By Nathan Fielder Checked against official sources
Published
Quick answer
Anyone who tells you to pay with a gift card is a scammer. Real government agencies, utilities and businesses don't take gift cards as payment. If you already bought cards and shared the numbers, contact the gift card company right away using the number on the card, keep the card and receipt, and report it to the FTC.
Gift cards are for gifts, and gift card scams turn them into a way to pay a scammer. The FTC puts it plainly: only scammers will tell you to buy a gift card, such as a Google Play or Apple card, and give them the numbers off the back. No real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them.
If someone is asking you to do this right now, stop and hang up. If it already happened, skip to what to do if you already paid.
Why do scammers want gift cards?
Because the money is easy to grab and hard to get back. The card number and PIN on the back let a scammer use the money on the card right away, even though you still have the card in your hand. Gift cards are sold everywhere, and buying them doesn’t feel like sending money to a stranger.
The FTC describes the tactics that show up in almost every gift card scam:
- It’s urgent. Pay right now, or something terrible will happen.
- They choose the card and the store. You may be sent to a specific store, or to several stores so cashiers won’t get suspicious.
- They stay on the line. The scammer may stay on the phone while you go to the store and load the cards.
- They want the numbers. They ask for the card number and PIN, or a photo of the back of the card.
Caller: This is the disconnection department at your electric company. Your account is past due and a crew will shut off your power in 45 minutes.
Caller: To stop it, buy $500 in gift cards at the pharmacy near you and read me the numbers on the back. Stay on the line with me while you go — if we disconnect, the shutoff goes ahead.
Who pretends to need gift card payments?
The FTC lists the stories scammers use most often:
- “The government.” The IRS, Social Security or even the FTC, saying you owe taxes or a fine. See IRS scams and Social Security scams.
- “Tech support.” Microsoft or Apple, saying your computer has a problem. See tech support scams.
- A loved one in trouble. With voice cloning, they may sound just like a family member. See grandparent scams.
- A prize. You’ve “won,” but must pay fees first. See prize and lottery scams.
- Your utility company, threatening to cut off service. See utility shutoff scams.
- An online sweetheart with an emergency. See signs of a romance scammer.
- An overpayment. Someone sends a check for too much and asks for the difference on a gift card. The check is fake. See fake check scams.
What should you do if you already paid with gift cards?
Act quickly, and don’t throw anything away. The FTC’s steps are:
- Report it to the gift card company right away, no matter how long ago it happened. Use the phone number on the card or the company’s official website.
- Ask for your money back. The FTC says some gift card companies are working to stop these scams and might give your money back.
- Keep the card and the store receipt. You’ll need them for your report.
- Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Every report helps.
It can also help to tell the store where you bought the cards.
If you also shared bank details, your Social Security number or remote access to a computer, follow our first-hour checklist after a scam.
Can you get your money back?
Sometimes, especially if you act quickly. The FTC says some gift card companies are working to stop gift card scams and might return your money. Your best chance is to call the company as soon as you realize what happened, with the card and receipt in hand.
Be careful of anyone who contacts you offering to recover the money for a fee. That’s a second scam. Read about recovery scams.
How can stores and families help stop it?
- Agree on one rule as a family: nobody pays a bill, fine or fee with gift cards. Ever.
- If someone asks you for gift cards, call a family member first. Scammers hate a second opinion.
- Cashiers can help. If you’re buying a large amount of gift cards and a clerk asks whether someone told you to, take the question seriously.
- Share this page with parents and grandparents. Talking about the scam ahead of time is one of the best defenses.
For other places to report, see where to report a scam, or read more about bank, card and payment scams.
Red flags: how to spot this scam
- Someone says you must pay a bill, fine, fee or 'protection' with gift cards.
- They tell you which cards to buy and which store to go to — and may stay on the phone while you shop.
- They ask for the numbers and PIN on the back of the card, or a photo of it.
What to do
- Stop. Don't buy gift cards for anyone who demands payment that way, no matter who they say they are.
- If you already shared the numbers, call the gift card company right away and ask for your money back.
- Keep the gift card and the store receipt — you'll need them to report the scam.
- Tell the store where you bought the cards as soon as possible.
- Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Send this to someone you love
A quick share can stop a scam before it starts.
See our scam alerts first in Google
If you use Google Search, you can choose Red Flag Briefing as a preferred source so our warnings show up more often in Top Stories.
Where to report it
Reporting helps investigators spot patterns and warn others — even if you did not lose money. Type these addresses yourself or use the links below; do not use links from a suspicious message.
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Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Any scam, fraud or bad business practice — calls, texts, emails, websites and impostors.
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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Problems with a bank, credit card or payment app after a scam — for example, if your bank will not help.
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FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
Online and computer-related fraud, including tech-support, romance, investment and crypto scams.
You can also report to your state attorney general. If you sent money, call your bank or card company right away using the number on the back of your card.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my money back after giving a scammer gift card numbers?
Sometimes. The FTC says some gift card companies are helping stop these scams and might give your money back, so it's worth asking. Call the company right away — the sooner you report it, the better your chances.
Would a government agency ever ask for gift cards?
No. The FTC says government agencies won't contact you to demand immediate payment, and they never demand payment by gift card. Anyone who says otherwise is a scammer.
Should I keep the gift card and receipt?
Yes. The FTC says to always keep a copy of your gift card and store receipt. You'll use them to report the scam to the gift card company and to ask for your money back.
Who do I report a gift card scam to?
Report it to the gift card company first, using the contact number on the card or the company's website. Then tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Sources
We rely on official government sources. Read how we check facts in our editorial policy.
- FTC: Avoiding and Reporting Gift Card Scams (consumer.ftc.gov, accessed )
- FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed (consumer.ftc.gov, accessed )
- FTC: How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Fake Check Scams (consumer.ftc.gov, accessed )
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