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With Mother’s Day just around the corner, you may be looking to get the mom in your life a last-minute gift. Maybe you’re looking to get her a gift card for a favorite restaurant or spa. That’s great — gift cards are for gifts — but scammers might try to tell you otherwise.

Scammers typically call, text, email, and message on social media with stories to convince you that there’s a problem and the only way you can solve it is buying gift cards and giving them the numbers. They might say they’re from the government — like the Social Security Administration or the FTC — and tell you to pay taxes or a fine immediately. They might say they’re a friend or family member with an emergency and they need money right away. Whatever the story, they’ll often say it’s urgent you buy that gift card and give them the numbers, and it's almost always a scam.   

Spot the signs of gift card scams:

  1. Scammers might tell you the only way to pay is with a gift card. But the government will never call you and tell you to pay with a gift card.
  2. Scammers often tell you which gift card to buy (and where). They might say to put money on an eBay, Google Play, Target, or Apple gift card. They might even stay on the phone with you while you go to the store they told you to visit. These are all signs of a scam, so hang up.
  3. Scammers frequently say it’s urgent. They’ll say to pay them right away or something terrible will happen. Slow down. Honest businesses and agencies will give you time to make a decision.
  4. Scammers sometimes tell you to keep it a secret. Scammers want to isolate you from people you know and trust. Never agree to keep a secret — especially if you’re scared and worried.

Learn more about gift card scams at ftc.gov/giftcards. And report them to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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