Gift cards are easy to give, easy to wrap, and popular when you are shopping for someone who is hard to buy for. That convenience also makes them attractive to scammers. This holiday season, remember one simple rule: gift cards are for giving, not paying.
The FTC is clear that a legitimate business or government agency will not tell you to buy a gift card and give them the card number and PIN as payment. If someone makes that request, stop the conversation and verify the situation through a trusted source.
Scam #1: Someone tells you to pay with gift cards
The story may sound urgent. A caller could claim to be from a government agency, a utility company, a tech support team, a business, or even your workplace. A message may say a family member needs help. Then comes the instruction: buy specific gift cards and send a photo, card number, or PIN.
Once a scammer has the card number and PIN, they may be able to use the balance without ever holding the physical card. That is why you should never read gift card codes over the phone or send a photo of the back of a card to someone who contacted you unexpectedly.
Scam #2: A gift card has been tampered with before you buy it
Another scam can happen before a gift card ever reaches the recipient. The FTC warns that scammers may tamper with cards on store racks to capture card numbers and PINs, then wait for a shopper to load money onto the card.
How to protect a gift card purchase
- STOP if someone says gift cards are the only way to pay a bill, fine, fee, emergency, or debt.
- CHECK physical gift cards for signs of tampering, damaged packaging, or exposed PIN areas before buying.
- PROTECT the card number and PIN just as you would protect cash. Do not send photos of the card to strangers.
- Keep the card and store receipt information until the recipient has confirmed the card works.
- If a card has a problem, contact the gift card company promptly using contact information from the card or the issuer's official website.
What if you already gave a scammer the gift card information?
Contact the gift card company as soon as possible and tell them the card was used in a scam. Ask what options may be available, and keep the card and receipt if you still have them. You can also report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If the situation involved someone pretending to be Anderson Brothers Bank, or if ABB account or card information may have been shared, contact us directly using a trusted phone number, our official website, or a local branch.
Wrap up the season with Stop. Check. Protect.
From fall scam texts to Black Friday deals, charity requests, marketplace listings, and gift cards, the details changed throughout our Fraud Friday series. The core habit did not: Stop when something creates pressure. Check the request through a trusted source. Protect your money and information before you act.
We hope these tips help you head into the holidays with more confidence and a few extra seconds of pause when something does not feel right. From all of us at Anderson Brothers Bank, have a safe and happy holiday season.
Fraud prevention content is educational and does not guarantee prevention, recovery, or reimbursement. Customers should contact Anderson Brothers Bank directly through a trusted phone number, the official website, or a local branch if they believe an account, card, online banking access, or personal information may be at risk. Resolution timelines, provisional credits, reimbursement, and consumer liability depend on the facts, payment type, timing, and applicable law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a legitimate business or government agency ask me to pay with gift cards?
No. The FTC says a real business or government agency will not tell you to buy a gift card and give them the card number and PIN as payment.
What should I check before buying a gift card?
Look for damaged packaging, exposed or altered PIN areas, or other signs of tampering. Keep the receipt and card information after purchase.
What should I do if I gave a scammer a gift card number?
Contact the gift card company promptly, explain that it was a scam, and ask what options may be available. Report the fraud to the FTC and contact your bank if account information was also involved.
Related Reading
Don’t Fall for Fraud: Common Holiday Scams to Watch This Season
Before You Give: How to Spot a Charity Scam
Harvesting More Than Pumpkins: How Scammers Collect Your Information