Accounts and money
Gift card scams: only scammers ask you to pay with gift cards
The short answer
Anyone who tells you to pay with a gift card is a scammer. Gift cards are for gifts, not for paying bills, the government, or a tech support company (FTC).
If you already paid, contact the company that issued the gift card right away, tell them it was used in a scam, and ask for a refund. Keep the card and the receipt (FTC).
Who scammers pretend to be
Gift card demands show up in many kinds of scams (FTC):
- A government agency, like the IRS or Social Security. See fake government calls.
- Tech support saying your computer has a virus.
- A grandchild or relative in trouble. See grandparent scams.
- Your boss, asking you to quietly buy gift cards for clients or coworkers (FTC).
- A utility company threatening to shut off service.
Why scammers want gift cards
Once you share the numbers on the back of a card, the scammer can spend the value quickly, and it’s hard to trace or reverse (FTC). That’s why they ask you to read the numbers over the phone or send a photo of the card.
If you already paid with a gift card
- Contact the gift card company right away, using the number on the card or its official website. Tell them the card was used in a scam (FTC).
- Ask if they can refund your money. The FTC says acting fast can sometimes help (FTC).
- Keep the card and the receipt. You’ll need the numbers (FTC).
- Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (FTC).
Helping someone you look out for
If a parent or friend suddenly needs to buy gift cards for an ‘urgent’ payment, it’s worth a calm conversation before they do. A simple house rule helps: we never pay anyone with gift cards. People 60 and older reported $7.748 billion in losses to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2025 (FBI IC3).
See also is this a scam? for the four warning signs that come before most gift card requests.
Common questions
Can I get my money back from a gift card scam?
Sometimes, if you act quickly. Contact the gift card company right away, tell them it was a scam, and ask for a refund (FTC).
Is a gift card ever a real way to pay a bill?
No. The FTC says only scammers tell you to buy a gift card to pay them (FTC).
My boss texted asking me to buy gift cards. Is that real?
Probably not. This is a known scam. Check with your boss in person or at a number you already have (FTC).
Where do I report a gift card scam?
Report it to the gift card company and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (FTC).
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. If money already left your account, call your bank or card company first.