Is the Gift Card Payment Scam real or a scam?

This is a confirmed scam. Do not click any links, do not provide personal information, and do not send money. This is a other scam.

What should I do if I received the Gift Card Payment Scam?

Do not respond or click any links. Block the sender, report the message as spam, and delete it. If it came via text message, forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

What if I already fell for the Gift Card Payment Scam?

Change your passwords immediately, contact your bank if you shared financial information, place a fraud alert on your credit, and file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How do I report the Gift Card Payment Scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and your local law enforcement. If it impersonated a specific company, report it to that company as well.

Gift Card Payment Scam: Is It a Scam?

Very High Prevalence Type: Other

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Gift card payment scams involve any scenario where someone demands you buy gift cards and share the numbers as a form of payment. No legitimate business, government agency, or utility company will ever ask for payment in gift cards.

How This Scam Works

The scammer contacts you by phone, email, or text, posing as the IRS, Social Security Administration, a utility company, tech support, or even your boss. They create an urgent scenario, such as back taxes, a warrant, or a compromised account, and insist you pay by purchasing gift cards from stores like Target, Walmart, Apple, or Google Play. They tell you to buy the cards, scratch the back to reveal the code, and read the numbers to them over the phone. Gift cards are untraceable once redeemed, making them impossible to recover. The scammer redeems or resells the cards within minutes.

Red Flags to Watch For

Any person or organization asking for payment in gift cards is a scammer
Urgency and threats if you do not pay immediately
Told to stay on the phone while purchasing the cards
Instructions to not tell the store cashier why you are buying gift cards
Demand to read gift card numbers over the phone

Example Scam Messages

Phone call: 'This is Officer Williams with the county sheriff's office. There's a warrant for your arrest for unpaid fines. To resolve this without being arrested, you need to purchase $2,000 in Google Play gift cards and read me the numbers.' --- Phone call: 'This is the IRS. You owe $5,000 in back taxes. Federal agents will arrive at your home within two hours unless you make payment. Go to Walmart and purchase five $500 Visa gift cards.' --- Email from 'boss': 'Hey, I need a favor. I'm stuck in a meeting and need you to pick up some Apple gift cards for a client appreciation event. Get 4 x $200 cards and send me photos of the backs ASAP. I'll reimburse you.'

What to Do If You Received This

Hang up immediately; no legitimate entity accepts gift card payments
The IRS, SSA, and police will never demand gift card payment
If you receive this request from your 'boss,' verify by calling or texting them directly
Tell store employees if someone is pressuring you to buy gift cards

What to Do If You Fell For It

Contact the gift card company immediately with your receipt (Apple: 800-275-2273, Google: support.google.com)
Recovery is possible if you act fast enough before cards are redeemed
File a police report
Keep all receipts and records of the gift cards purchased
Do not be embarrassed; this scam targets people of all backgrounds

How to Report This Scam

Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
Report gift card fraud at ftc.gov/giftcards
File a complaint with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
Report to the gift card issuer
File a local police report

Last updated: February 10, 2026