Gift Card Payment Scams
Someone insists that a debt, fee, fine, or emergency can only be resolved by paying with gift cards.
How the scam works
A caller or message pressures you to buy gift cards from a retail store to pay a supposed bill, fine, or emergency.
You are asked to read the numbers on the back of the card over the phone or send a photo of them.
Once the scammer has the card numbers, the money is gone and cannot be recovered.
Common warning signs
- No legitimate business, utility, or government agency asks for payment in gift cards.
- You are asked to read gift card numbers aloud over the phone.
- The request is urgent and paired with a threat, such as arrest or service shutoff.
- You are told to buy cards from multiple stores to avoid suspicion.
What to do
- Stop. No real organization requires gift cards as payment.
- If you already bought a card, contact the retailer that issued it as soon as possible.
- Contact Senior Signal to talk through the situation before buying or sharing any card numbers.
What not to do
- Do not buy gift cards to pay a bill, fine, or emergency request.
- Do not read gift card numbers aloud to anyone who calls or texts you.
- Do not photograph and send gift card numbers to anyone.
Example message
Unknown
To resolve this immediately, go to any store and purchase $500 in gift cards, then call this number with the card numbers.
Never call a phone number contained in a suspicious message. Instead, use the official phone number printed on your card, statement, or the organization's official website.
When to contact Senior Signal
If anyone asks you to pay with gift cards, contact Senior Signal before purchasing anything.