HOW IT WORKS
Gift card fraud can happen in more than one way. Criminals may tamper with cards before purchase, or they may pressure people into buying gift cards and sharing card numbers. Learn the difference, spot the warning signs, and protect your money before it is lost.
Gift Card Tampering
Tampering happens when criminals alter, steal, or copy gift card information before a customer buys the card. Once money is loaded, the scammer can drain the balance before the card is ever used.
Warning sign: Packaging looks opened, scratched, covered, resealed, or different from the other cards on the rack.
Before buying, inspect the card and PIN area, choose cards from secure displays when possible, keep your receipt, and report anything that looks suspicious.
Click for More Information Gift Card Scam
A gift card scam happens when criminals pressure someone to buy gift cards and share the card numbers or PINs. Once the scammer has those details, the money can disappear quickly.
Warning sign: Someone creates urgency and asks you to read, text, email, or photograph gift card numbers.
Scammers may pretend to be a government agency, business, utility company, police department, or someone you know. No legitimate organization demands gift card payment.
Click for More Information Watch and Learn
These short videos explain how gift card fraud happens and how to recognize the warning signs.
Watch How Gift Card Fraud Happens
Learn How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams