How to spot a gift card scam: 5 signs you should never share your code

Gift cards are an easy way to shop for yourself or the people you care about. But once a code is shared, someone else can use it within seconds, so scammers love them too. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) puts it very clearly: no real business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them.

Who do scammers pretend to be?

The most common scams the FTC lists:

• A government agency: claiming you owe taxes or a fine and must pay now.
• Tech support: saying they are from Microsoft or Apple and your computer has a problem.
• A friend or relative in an emergency: sometimes using a cloned voice.
• A prize or sweepstakes: asking for "fees" before you can collect.
• A utility company: threatening to cut off your power or internet.
• Someone you met online: building trust on a dating site, then asking for money.
• A buyer who overpays: sending you too much and asking for the difference back on a gift card.

For gamers, add one more: people in in-game chat or on Discord asking for your code for a "free skin", "account verification" or a "reward".

5 warning signs

1. They rush you: "Pay now or else..."
2. They tell you which card to buy and where.
3. They stay on the phone while you buy the card.
4. They ask for the card number and PIN, or a photo of the card.
5. They ask you to keep it secret from family and friends.

If you see even one of these, stop and don't hand over the code.

If you have shared a code

The steps the FTC recommends:

1. Contact the company that issued the card right away, even if some time has passed.
2. Ask for your money back. Some companies can freeze a card that still has funds, or refund you.
3. Keep the card and the receipt. The card number and receipt are needed for reports.
4. Report the scam. In the US, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov; elsewhere, contact your local police or consumer authority.

To stay safe

• Redeem codes only to your own account, through the platform's official app or website.
• If you give a code as a gift, give it directly to someone you know. Tips are in our gifting a game code article.
• What to check before buying a code is in our are digital codes safe article.

Cards for your account are on the gift cards page, for example Google Play, Apple and Steam.

Source: FTC: Avoiding and Reporting Gift Card Scams. The scenarios and advice are as given in the FTC's guide.