When to just say NO to gift cards!
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Our local police departments have been dealing with a multitude of gift card scams such as bogus claims informing you that you’ve won a lottery or that your identity has been stolen or even that a family member in another state is in jail!
A common theme with many gift card scams is that they are used as a form of “currency” to take our money. While the police have encountered victims providing financial account information, buying cryptocurrency, and even mailing large amounts of cash inside of magazines, a common theme of gift cards are found in so many.
Why gift cards?
They can be purchased in many places. Almost every retailer sells gift cards, frequently to many other stores too.
The numbers to use the gift card can be easily obtained by the scammer verbally or a simple picture.
The gift cards number to be used anywhere is the world. Some scammers will load stolen gift card numbers onto another gift card, or phone app, to be used at a physical store location. Others will simply use the cards online and have items shipped to others to repackage and resend. These re-shippers can also be unsuspecting scam victims.
Gift cards can be difficult to trace.
What to remember?
Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. The government will not ask you to purchase gift cards to avoid going to jail. Publishers Clearing House will not ask you to buy gift cards to pay taxes on your winnings.
Pictures are not payments. If you are using a gift cards inside a store or online, you swipe it or enter the numbers into the store system. You don’t take a picture and send via text or email.
Just Say No to gift cards. If someone asks you for a gift card to help them travel to see you, to move your money out of a compromised account, or for any other situation that might seem reasonable at the time but the more you really think it does not make sense.
No one can force you to buy gift cards. If someone makes you stay on the phone with them while you are purchasing gift cards or tells you what to tell the store cashier when you are purchasing gift cards it is a scam. Tell the cashier the truthful reason why you are purchasing these gift cards and see what they have to say.
If you have any information on a gift card scam or any other crime or you spot some suspicious activity you will remain anonymous when you contact Crime Stoppers of Southwest Idaho and you could earn a reward of up to $1000.00 if your tip leads to a felony arrest!
Call 208-343-COPS(2677) or leave an online tip.
