How This Scam Works
1
Scammer contacts the victim posing as the IRS, utility company, tech support, or the victim's boss.
2
They instruct the victim to purchase gift cards (Google Play, Amazon, iTunes, Walmart) and call back with the numbers.
3
The victim reads the gift card numbers and PINs, which the scammer immediately redeems or sells.
4
Once a gift card is redeemed, the money is gone — it cannot be traced or recovered.
Warning Signs
Anyone asking you to pay with gift cards — no legitimate business or government does this
Urgency — threats of arrest, account closure, or consequences if you do not pay immediately
Caller asks you to read the gift card numbers and PINs over the phone
Email from your 'boss' or 'CEO' asking you to buy gift cards
Being told to keep the purchase a secret from others
Real Examples
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How to Protect Yourself
Gift cards are for gifts, not payments — no legitimate entity accepts gift cards as payment
If someone asks you to pay with gift cards, it is always a scam
Tell the store cashier if someone asked you to buy gift cards for payment
Verify requests from your boss by calling them directly on a known phone number
Share this information with elderly family members who may not be aware
Frequently Asked Questions
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Help Protect Others
Share this scam report to warn friends and family.