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    4 min read 5 stepsMay 8, 2026Verified May 2026

    How to Spot a Gift Card Scam Before Sending Money

    Learn the warning signs of gift card scams so you never lose money to fake calls from the IRS, Amazon, or family.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Safety & Privacy
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    4 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    scams
    safety
    gift cards
    fraud
    seniors

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Stop if anyone tells you to pay with a gift card
    2. 2.Watch for fear and urgency
    3. 3.Never read a gift card number over the phone
    4. 4.Be suspicious of anyone who stays on the phone with you
    5. 5.If you have already paid, act fast
    1

    Stop if anyone tells you to pay with a gift card

    ~16s
    No real business or government agency takes gift cards as payment. Not the IRS, not Amazon, not your power company, not the police. If you hear those words, hang up the phone or close the email. It is always a scam.
    2

    Watch for fear and urgency

    ~17s
    Scammers want you panicked. They say there is a warrant for your arrest, your grandchild is in trouble, or your computer has a virus that will spread. They tell you to act right now. Real emergencies do not require gift cards. Take a breath and call a family member first.
    3

    Never read a gift card number over the phone

    ~15s
    If someone on the phone asks you to read the 16-digit number or the PIN from a gift card, hang up. The moment they have those numbers, the money is gone. No legitimate caller will ever ask for this.
    4

    Be suspicious of anyone who stays on the phone with you

    ~18s
    Scammers stay on the line while you drive to the store, while you buy the cards, and while you scratch off the codes. They do this so you cannot stop and think. A real bank, government office, or family member would never do this. Hang up.
    5

    If you have already paid, act fast

    ~17s
    Call the gift card company right away (the number is on the back of the card). Some, like Target and Apple, can sometimes freeze the money if you call within an hour. Then report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and tell someone you trust.

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    Gift card scams are one of the most common ways criminals steal money from seniors. The Federal Trade Commission says Americans lost over $217 million to gift card scams in a single recent year. The scammers know that once a gift card code is read aloud or sent by text, the money is gone forever. There is no way for the bank to reverse the charge, and the police almost never recover the funds. The best protection is to know the warning signs before you ever pick up a gift card.

    The biggest red flag is anyone who tells you to pay with a gift card. Real businesses and government agencies do not accept gift cards as payment. The IRS will not ask for a gift card. Amazon will not ask you to pay your "overdue account" with a gift card. Your power company, your bank, and the police will never ask for a gift card. If anyone tells you to pay this way, you are talking to a scammer, no exceptions.

    Scammers also create fear or urgency. They might say a warrant is out for your arrest, your grandchild is in jail, your computer has a virus, or your Social Security number has been suspended. They want you scared and rushing. They tell you to drive to Walmart, Target, or CVS right now and buy gift cards. They stay on the phone with you the whole time so you cannot stop and think. A real police officer or family member would never do this.

    Another sign is when someone asks you to read the card numbers over the phone or send a photo of the back of the card. Once they have the code, the money is theirs. They may also ask you to buy several smaller cards instead of one large one, because stores have started to flag big gift card purchases.

    If you think you have been scammed, hang up right away and call the gift card company. Some, like Target and Apple, can sometimes freeze the money if you call within an hour. Then report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Tell a family member or friend. There is no shame in being targeted. These criminals are professionals, and millions of smart, careful people fall for these tricks every year.

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    Official Resources

    FTC Consumer ProtectionCISA — Cybersecurity TipsAARP Fraud Watch Network

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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