Gift cards are a prodigious way to give a gift to someone you appreciate. But did you know that they are also being used to scam and steal your hard‐earned money? If a person calls you with pressing news or traying to convince you or pressure you into paying with a gift card then be aware because you very likely are a victim of a scam.
They can pose as IRS/Amazon/HP/Microsoft officials and tell you that your account is compromised. They usually make you feel like someone placed orders from your account and make you believe that this is an urgent matter. Some scammers also pose as a public utility company threatening to shut off your water or electricity.
At times they call you saying that you won a contest or a prize, but to get it, you will need to pay some fees with a gift card. Scammers prey of your sympathy and fears, and they like gift cards because once they have got the unique code on the back of the card, the money is gone and sadly impossible to trace.
If you are not sure if they truly represent the company they are calling from, hang up and call a trusted number for that company. Pls don’t go googling around for the phone number as you may very likely get a phony number and fall into another scam.
If you think, suspect or paid a scammer with a gift card, make sure to report it as soon as possible. Contact the card company and inform them that the card was used in a scam.
