Real Possibilities

December 9-15, 2019

By Nan Selz
Executive Council, AARP Arkansas

Scammers love gift cards

Gift cards are ubiquitous. There are rows and rows of them for sale at the supermarket, and most businesses now offer gift cards as well as merchandise. They are an easy gift for someone who has everything or for someone you don’t know well. 

But gift cards have become extremely popular with scammers. Scammers have found them very useful for getting money out of people who might be reluctant to share information about their bank account or credit card with a stranger.

A caller may claim to be with the IRS. He says you owe taxes that must be paid immediately to avoid interest and fines. Perhaps the caller says he is from a utility company. He says that, because you failed to pay your bill, your service will be cut off unless you arrange payment right away. A “relative” or “friend” calls and asks you to send money as soon as possible to get him or her out of trouble. There’s always a sense of urgency about the call so you don’t have time to think things through or to investigate the claim.

The caller then directs you to purchase a gift card for the amount requested. You are asked to share the numbers and PIN on the card with him. The minute you hear the words “gift card,” you know it’s a scam. So when you hear those words, you should hang up the phone. Gift cards can only be used to purchase products and services. No government office, utility or legitimate business accepts a gift card as payment. 

The AARP Fraud Watch Network connects you to the latest information about scams like this. The Fraud Watch Network is on Facebook and on Twitter at #fraudwatch. You can join at http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/fraud-watch-network/