You are asked to pay with gift cards.
A caller who tells you to buy gift cards and send the numbers or PINs to pay a bill or fine is a scammer. Do not share the codes.
Someone wants gift cards, crypto, or cash
You are told to pay a bill, fine, fee, or "deposit" using gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or cash handed to a courier.
Being pressured right now?
Hang up now. You do not have to explain. Call back using a number you find yourself. — from a bank card, a billing statement, or the official website you type in yourself. Do not use a number the caller gave you, texted you, or that appears on your caller ID.
If you read nothing else
If you read nothing else:
- Stop communicating, and do not move money, pay, or share codes while you are under pressure.
- You are asked to pay with gift cards.
- Do not buy gift cards and read the numbers to anyone over the phone or by text.
If this is happening in a store
Do this before anything else
- If the caller is still on the phone, hang up now. You do not need to explain.
- Step out of the checkout line, or ask the cashier to pause the sale while you check.
- Do not buy more cards. Do not scratch, photograph, read, or send any card numbers.
- If you already paid, keep the cards and receipt together.
- If someone is coming to pick up cash, cards, or a package, call 911.
Why this is a red flag
A caller insists you can only pay with cryptocurrency.
Pressure to send crypto right away is a scam sign. Hang up and check the demand through a number you trust. Crypto payments are very hard to reverse.
You are told to wire money or hand cash to a courier.
Scammers use these methods to move money quickly. Payments may be hard to stop or reverse. Check an unexpected demand before you send anything.
You are pressured to act before you can think it through, often with a threat of arrest, shutoff, or legal action.
Urgency and fear are used together so you pay before checking with anyone else.
What to do right now
Do this now
- Hang up now and do not make any payment.
- Hang up, then contact the real agency or company using a number you find yourself.
- If you already bought gift cards but have not given out the codes, keep the cards and receipt.
- If you already shared gift card codes or sent crypto, report it right away (see What to do now).
What not to do
Don't do this
- Do not buy gift cards and read the numbers to anyone over the phone or by text.
- Do not send cryptocurrency to an address someone gave you during a call.
- Do not wire money or give cash to a courier who arrives at your home.
- Do not let anyone pressure you into paying "right now" to avoid arrest or shutoff.
What to save
What to save
- Gift card brand, retailer, and the receipt if you purchased one.
- Any wallet address used for a crypto payment.
- Screenshots of texts, emails, or chat messages requesting payment.
- The phone number or contact method used, and the date and time.
Common questions
Why do scammers want to be paid in gift cards?
Once a scammer has the card number and PIN, they can spend the funds. Getting that money back may be hard. If you shared the codes, contact the gift card company right away and ask for a refund. Keep the card and receipt. Recovery is not guaranteed.
Can I get my money back after buying gift cards for a scammer?
It is unlikely, but contact the gift card company right away using the number on the back of the card. Some can flag or freeze a card before it is fully redeemed. Keep the card and receipt either way.
What is a Bitcoin/crypto ATM scam?
It is when a scammer pressures you to deposit cash into a cryptocurrency ATM and send the crypto to an address they control. Like gift cards, crypto payments are very hard to reverse, which is why scammers ask for them.
Is it ever normal for a company or agency to ask for gift cards or crypto?
A caller telling you to buy gift cards and send the codes to pay a bill or fine is a scammer. Pressure to pay only with crypto, a wire transfer, or cash sent by courier is also a scam sign. Stop and check through an official number you look up yourself.
Where to go next
If you already sent money, shared a code, or gave access to something, go to what to do now for next steps by what happened. If money, access, or personal information was shared, you can also go straight to where to report it.
Related situations: Someone wants me to move my money , Someone wants a verification code .
Sources
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Regulator guidance
Avoiding and Reporting Gift Card Scams
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Regulator guidance
How To Avoid a Scam