Gift Card Scams

The scammer tells the victim to purchase gift cards to pay a bill, fine, debt, tax, bail, or emergency. The victim is then instructed to provide the numbers and PINs from the cards. Once those numbers are provided, the money can disappear almost immediately.

Tips:Gift cards are for gifts—not payments. Legitimate government agencies, utilities, banks, and businesses do not require payment with retail gift cards. Never photograph or provide gift-card numbers or PINs to someone over the phone or online.