Episode 468: Gift Card Scams

Jan 4, 2025

There's a new DEVASTATING Gift Card Scam out there!

Get a refresher on old gift card scams and protect yourself from this new version that's difficult to detect in today's episode

If you have been a victim of Gift Card Fraud, here is the FTC's list of Credit Card Contacts:

Find the most up-to-date list at: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/avoiding-and-reporting-gift-card-scams

Amazon

• Call 1 [phone] and follow Amazon’s instructions.
• Keep a copy of the Amazon gift card or your store receipt.
• Visit Amazon’s website to learn about scams.

 American Express

• Call 1 [phone] and follow American Express’s instructions.
• Keep a copy of the American Express gift card or your store receipt.
• Visit American Express’s website to learn about scams.

Apple, iTunes

• Call 1 [phone]. Say “gift card” to connect with a live representative. Follow Apple’s instructions.
• Ask if the money is still on the Apple or iTunes gift card. If so, Apple can put a freeze on it. Ask for your money back.
• Keep a copy of the Apple or iTunes gift card or your store receipt.
• Visit Apple’s website to learn about scams.

Best Buy

• Call 1 [phone] and follow Best Buy’s instructions.
• Keep a copy of the Best Buy gift card or your store receipt.
• Visit Best Buy’s website to learn about scams.

eBay

• Chat with eBay customer support, or have a representative call you back.
• Keep a copy of the eBay gift card or your store receipt.
• Visit eBay’s website to learn about scams.

Google Play

• Report the gift card scam to Google.
• Ask for your money back. If the money is still on the card, Google can put a freeze on it. If you don’t have a Google account, fill out this form.
• Keep a copy of the Google Play gift card or your store receipt.
• Visit Google’s website to learn about scams. 

MoneyPak

• Submit a fraud claim to MoneyPak.
• Keep a copy of the MoneyPak card or your store receipt.
• Visit MoneyPak’s website to learn about scams.

ReloadIt

• Call 1 [phone] and follow ReloadIt’s instructions.
• Keep a copy of the ReloadIt card or your store receipt.
• Visit ReloadIt’s website to learn about scams.

Sephora

• Call 1 [phone] and follow Sephora’s instructions.
• Keep a copy of the Sephora gift card or your store receipt.
• Visit Sephora’s website to learn about scams.

Steam

• Report the gift card scam to Steam through Steam Support.
• Keep a copy of the Steam gift card or your store receipt.
• Visit Steam’s website to learn about scams.

Target

• Call 1 [phone] and follow Target’s instructions.
• Keep a copy of the Target gift card or your store receipt.
• Visit Target’s website to learn about scams.

Vanilla

• Call 1 [phone] and follow Vanilla’s instructions.
• Keep a copy of the Vanilla card or your store receipt.

Visa

• Call 1 [phone] and follow Visa’s instructions.
• Keep a copy of the Visa gift card or your store receipt.
• Visit Visa’s website to learn about scams.

Walmart

• Call 1 [phone] and follow Walmart’s instructions.
• Keep a copy of the Walmart gift card or your store receipt.
• Visit Walmart’s website to learn about scams.

Don’t see your card on this list? Look for the company’s contact information on the card itself or research online to find out how to reach the card issuer. If you can’t find the contact information or the card issuer doesn’t want to talk to you, report it to the FTC.

 

 

Music License Granted to JJ Conway for "Crestone" by Michael Payne through Filmstro. This license grants a Commercial use of the above named musical composition for synchronisation with one or more creative media projects for worldwide distribution and in perpetuity in accordance with the Filmstro terms of use to the license holder and/or the license holder’s client(s).