(View or share the YouTube version of this video.)
Has someone asked you to go get a gift card to pay for something? Lots of people have told us they’ve been asked to pay with gift cards – by a caller claiming to be with the IRS, or tech support, or a so-called family member in need. If you’ve gotten a call like this, you know that the caller will then demand the gift card numbers and PIN. And, poof, your money is gone.
Scammers are good at convincing people there really is an emergency, so lots of people have made the trip to the Walmart or Target or CVS to buy gift cards to send these callers. And scammers love gift cards – it’s one of their favorite ways to get your money. These cards are like giving cash – and nearly untraceable, unless you act almost immediately.
So here’s the most important thing for you to know: anyone who demands payment by gift card is always, always, always a scammer. Try this gift card buying exercise out at home – especially when anyone asks you to pay with a gift card:
Q: Should I buy an iTunes, Google Play, Steam, Kroger, Walgreens, BestBuy, Amazon, CVS, Rite Aid or ANY OTHER gift card for someone who demands payment? For any reason?
A: NO.
Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. If you’ve bought a gift card and lost money to someone who might be a scammer, tell the company who issued the card. (The contact info might be on the card, but might require some research) Call or email iTunes or Amazon or whoever it was. Tell them their card was used in a scam. If you act quickly enough, they might be able to get your money back. But – either way – it’s important that they know what happened to you. And then please tell the FTC about your loss. Your report helps us try to shut the scammers down.
In reply to Guy sent dm through instagram by Amd101
Yes, that sounds like they're trying to get you involved in a scam.
Some scammers set up dating profiles to meet potential victims. After they form a “relationship,” they make up a story and ask their new friend to deposit a check into her bank account, and then wire the money out of the country.
But the check is no good, and it bounces. If you deposit a check and send money, and the check is no good, you must repay the bank all the money you took out. You could lose money and personal information, and be helping a criminal.
In reply to I can't access my yahoo by Sambuca79
The number you called was not really Yahoo customer support.
Any phone number you find in an internet search that says it will connect you to Yahoo customer care is fake. Yahoo gives support by email, chat and articles, not by phone. Read this warning from Yahoo about fake numbers.
In reply to I have just been asked to by Tracey Graves
A Google play card does not help someone talk to you online. You can use it for apps, games, movies, TV shows, music, and books.
In reply to What happens in the end to by Ledizzler
You are responsible for the checks you deposit. If you deposit a bad check and withdraw money right away, you will be responsible when the check bounces.
If your sister deposited a bad check and withdrew money to buy gift cards, but the check bounced later, she has to repay the bank all the money she withdrew.
In reply to What does it mean when the by Mo'ney
If you send someone the pictures of the numbers on the back of the card, they can use the value of the card. You spent money, but they can use the card for whatever they want.
In reply to So I posted something to sell by Lala
That sounds like a scam. When someone says they will pay you, but they send too much money and ask you to send money back, it's usually a scam. The often happens to people who sell things online. It's called an "overpayment scam."
Use a safe link to check the balance of your online account. Don't click on links from the scammer. You don't have to send money to the scammer.
Pagination