Financial
Gift Card Payment Demand
Someone insists you pay a bill, fine, or fee using gift cards from the store.
How it works
Whatever the story, taxes, a fine, a prize fee, tech support, or a family emergency, the demand ends the same way. They tell you to buy gift cards, such as Apple, Google Play, or Amazon, and read the numbers on the back over the phone. Once you share those numbers, the money is gone and cannot be traced. No real business or agency asks to be paid in gift cards.
Warning signs
- Asks you to pay with gift cards for anything
- Tells you which store and card to buy
- Wants the numbers on the back of the card
- Stays on the phone while you go to the store
- Says it is urgent and secret
- Any bill, fine, or fee paid this way
What to do
- Stop and do not buy any gift cards.
- Hang up the phone.
- Remember: gift cards are never a real way to pay a bill.
- If you already shared card numbers, call the card company right away.
If they are still on the line: Do not buy cards or share any numbers. Hang up. Gift cards are for gifts, not payments to agencies or companies.
How to report it
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357. Also report to the gift card company using the number on the card. For elder-specific help, call the DOJ Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.