Did Santa bring you a new gift card for Christmas? Let us guess: he really did. Gift cards are some of the most popular Christmas gifts ever. It’s no wonder that scammers have noticed it. And that they are trying to turn your fresh new gift card against you.
The gift card scam is surprisingly simple. So simple that, in fact, it can be hard to believe there are people who are actually falling for it. However, scammers knows better. Since the simplest solution is usually the best.
Because gift cards are like cash. You pay with it – and it’s gone forever. It’s no wonder the gift card scam is so popular with fraudsters. How does it work?
Here’s how the gift card scam looks like
It’s simple. First, they call you. Second, they convince you they’re from the IRS, a tech support or even from your own family. After this, it’s all a piece of cake for them. All they have to do is make you send money to them right away. Via a gift card, of course.
Here’s what happens. Unless you don’t have a gift card already, the caller will tell you to go buy one (usually from iTunes, Google Play or Amazon). Once you buy the card, the caller will demand the gift card number and PIN on the back of the card. And here’s the trick. Because after you give this information away, the scammers and your money are gone, usually for good.
–> Read also: Would you steal from Grandma? Scammers would. How to protect her?
Have you already become a victim of this scam?
First of all. Never ever send your money via gift cards. To anybody. Because there’s at least one thing you can be sure of: whenever someone asks you for money via gift card, it’s a scam.
Have you already fallen for it? There’s still a chance you’ll get your money back. If you paid a scammer with a gift card, contact the company that issued the card right away. Tell them the gift card was used in a scam. Ask them if they can refund your money. If you act quickly enough, the company might be able to get your money back.
Stop scammers from calling you
Luckily, you don’t have to throw your phone away. And still you can get rid of these scam calls for good. Because blocking spam calls is easy. And it will save you a lot of pain.
Get the new and improved Should I Answer app. For years, it’s been popular with millions of people all around the world. And it’s no wonder. By default, whenever a spam call comes, the Should I Answer app warns you against it. Not good enough for you? No problem. Just go to the app’s Settings and choose the Block negative calls option. And that’s it. Since now, spammers and telemarketers won’t reach you at all.
Get the app for free (Android)
or get the Should I Answer app for iOS