Gift Card Scams: How to Spot One and What to Do
Only scammers will tell you to buy a gift card and read them the numbers on the back. No real business or government agency will ever ask you to pay with a gift card, no matter what they say.
Based on FTC consumer guidance and each company's own fraud pages.
Three Red Flags
They create urgency
You have to pay right now or something terrible will happen. Scammers do not want you to have time to think or to talk to someone you trust.
They tell you which card to buy, and where
They may name a store, send you to several stores so cashiers do not get suspicious, or stay on the phone while you load the card. If this happens, hang up.
They ask for the card number and PIN
The number and PIN on the back let a scammer take the money even if you still have the card. Never read them out or send a photo of the card.
Common Gift Card Scams
Government impersonators
They claim to be from the IRS, Social Security, or even the FTC and say you owe taxes or a fine. Government agencies never demand payment by gift card.
Tech support
A caller says they are from Microsoft or Apple and that something is wrong with your computer. Do not give them remote access or pay them.
A friend or relative in an emergency
Scammers may use voice cloning to sound like someone you know and ask you to send money right away and tell no one. Contact the person directly to check.
Prize and sweepstakes fees
You are told you won, but must pay fees with a gift card first. No honest business makes you buy a gift card to claim a prize.
Utility company threats
They threaten to cut off your service unless you pay immediately. Utility companies do not work that way.
Romance scams
Someone you met on a dating site invents a story to get you to buy a gift card. Never send money or gifts to someone you have not met in person.
Overpayment check scams
They send a check for far more than expected and ask you to return the difference on a gift card. The check will be fake and you will be out the money.
If You Already Gave Someone the Numbers
Report it to the gift card company right away
No matter how long ago it happened, report it. Have the card and your store receipt ready, since the numbers on both help the company find the card.
Ask for your money back
Some companies can freeze a card if the money has not been spent yet, and some will refund scam victims. It is always worth asking.
Tell the FTC
Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Every report helps investigators spot patterns.
Where to Report a Scam by Gift Card Brand
We only list phone numbers we could confirm on the company's own site in September 2026. For other brands, look on the back of the card or the company's website, or report it to the FTC.
Google Play
Report through Google Play Help; a form is available if you do not have a Google account.
Official scam infoVisa gift cards
Call the toll-free number on the issuer's website or in your card documentation.
Official scam infoBuying and Using Gift Cards Safely
- Gift cards are for gifts. Never buy one because someone tells you to pay them with it.
- Buy from stores you know and trust. Avoid online auction sites, where cards may be fake or stolen.
- Inspect the card before you buy: protective stickers should be intact and the PIN on the back should not be showing.
- Take a photo of the card and your receipt. The numbers help if you ever need to report a lost card or a scam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a scammer use my gift card if I only gave them the numbers?
Yes. The card number and PIN are all it takes to spend the balance, even if you still have the physical card. That is why you should report it to the card company immediately.
Will I get my money back?
It is not guaranteed, but it is worth asking. If the money has not been spent, some issuers can freeze the card, and some will refund victims. The sooner you report, the better the odds.
Does this site ever ask for my gift card number or PIN?
No. We never collect card numbers, PINs, or security codes. We only point you to the retailer's own official balance-check page, phone line, or in-store process. See how to check a gift card balance safely.