THE GEN C:\> SCAN GIFT-CARD-PAYMENT
Gift Card Payment Scams
Any story that ends with "buy gift cards and read me the numbers." The FTC says only scammers do this. Scammers may stay on the phone while you go to the store, and tell you to buy at several stores so cashiers don't get suspicious.
"Go to Walmart and buy five $200 Google Play cards. Stay on the line and read me the numbers on the back. Don't tell the cashier what they're for."
Red flags
- Told to buy gift cards to pay a bill, fine, or fee
- Asked for the card number and PIN, or a photo of the card
- Told to stay on the phone or hide it from the cashier
What to do
- Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. Hang up.
- If you already paid, contact the gift card company right away and keep your receipt.
- Report it to the FTC.
Where to report it
- Report to the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- AARP Fraud Watch Helpline: 877-908-3360 (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET)
Got a message like this right now? Paste it into the free Scam Radar checker to see the red flags. It runs in your browser and never saves your message.
Know someone who'd fall for this?
Scammers count on people not talking about it. Send this guide to a parent, a friend, or the family group chat.
Related scams
- Voice-Clone Family Emergency Scam
- Deepfake Video Call Scams
- AI Phishing Email Scams
- Romance Scams & AI-Made Profiles
Keep your family safe
Copy a ready-made prompt from the Staying safe prompts, like setting up a family code word or locking down your accounts. Want an AI helper you can trust? Try the AI Finder quiz.
Sources
Last checked: 2026-10-19. General education, not legal or financial advice. Sample messages are made up.