Anyone asking for gift cards

If anyone asks you to pay with gift cards — for a bill, a fine, a fee, a prize or to help someone — it’s a scam. Real businesses and agencies don’t take gift cards as payment.

How it works

They tell you which store to go to and which cards to buy.
They ask you to scratch off the back and read or photograph the numbers.
Once they have the numbers, the money is gone almost instantly.

Warning signs

Any request to pay with gift cards
Being told what to say if the cashier asks
Staying on the phone while you buy them

What to do

Stop. Don’t buy the cards, and don’t share any card numbers.
If you already did, call the gift card company right away and keep the receipt.
Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

What it can look like

This is your electric company. Your power will be shut off in 45 minutes due to an unpaid balance. To avoid disconnection buy two $500 Apple gift cards and call us back with the numbers.

Want to know the moment your parent gets one of these?Set up AskFirst for your family