Gift card scams: the one rule, the usual stories, and how to ask for a refund

Gift cards are for gifts. Once a scammer has the card number and PIN, they can spend or resell the balance within minutes, and there is no bank dispute process behind it. That is why the FTC puts it plainly: “No real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them” (FTC, Gift Card Scams).

So you do not need to work out whether the caller is really from the IRS, Apple or your bank. The request to pay with a gift card answers the question.

The FTC lists these as the common ones:

• Government imposters: the IRS, Social Security Administration or even the FTC demanding a tax or fine. See imposter scams.
• Tech support: a pop-up or call about a virus, then payment for the “fix”. See tech support scams.
• Family emergencies: a loved one in trouble, sometimes with a cloned voice, who asks you to keep it secret. See AI voice cloning scams.
• Prizes: you have won, but must pay fees first.
• Utilities: pay now or your power is cut off today.
• Romance: an online partner who needs gift cards for a trip, a medical bill or a customs fee. See romance scams.
• Fake checks: you receive a check for too much and are asked to return the difference on gift cards. See job scams.

1. Contact the company that issued the card right away, “no matter how long ago it happened”, the FTC says. Use the phone number or website printed on the card or its packaging. Tell them a scammer got the card number and PIN, and ask for a refund. Some issuers can freeze a balance that has not been spent yet, and some do refund.
2. Keep the card and the receipt. The issuer will need the card number and proof of purchase.
3. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you cannot reach the issuer, report it to the FTC anyway.

The FTC keeps a list of contact details for the major gift card companies (Amazon, Apple, Google Play, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Steam, Visa and Vanilla prepaid cards, eBay, Sephora and others) on its gift card scams page. Use that list or the details on the card itself, never a number given to you by the person who asked for the card.

If the scammer also got personal details or access to your computer, follow the extra steps in what to do if you sent money to a scammer.

Gift card scams hit older adults hard because the stories involve authority (a tax debt, a warrant) or love (a grandchild). A short rule written by the phone works better than a long explanation: “Gift cards are only for gifts. Anyone who wants to be paid with one is a scammer. Hang up and call me.” Our elder fraud guide has more setups for families. More in the scams hub.