Scammers prefer gift cards, but not just any card will do
Scammers trick people into buying gift cards and handing over the card numbers. The scammer then drains the card before the victim realizes what happened.
How it works
A scammer calls or contacts you pretending to be Amazon, Apple, Social Security Administration, or someone you trust (employer, love interest, family member in trouble). They claim you have a security problem, account freeze, or urgent need. They instruct you to buy specific gift cards at a retail store, take photos of the numbers on the back, and send the photos to them or read the numbers over the phone. The scammer then uses those numbers to drain the card value immediately. The transaction is irreversible and the money is gone.
Red flags to watch for
- Caller demands payment by gift card instead of normal payment method
- They specify which brand of card to buy: Target, Google Play, Apple, eBay, Walmart
- They tell you which store to visit: Target, Walmart, Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens
- They keep you on the phone while you shop so you cannot ask for help
- They coach you what to say if a cashier asks questions
- They ask you to photograph the card numbers or read them aloud
What to do
Do not buy a gift card if anyone demands payment that way. Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. If you already gave someone the card numbers, stop using the card immediately, keep the card and receipt, call the gift card issuer right away using the number on the back of the card or the company website, and report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If a store cashier warns you, listen to them and do not complete the purchase.
If this reached you
Source: FTC . Scam Sentinel summarizes official guidance in plain language; it is a decision aid, not a guarantee.