Overview
Gift card scams are a common tactic used by scammers to steal money quickly. In these scams, the attacker pressures someone to purchase gift cards and share the card numbers and PINs.
Once a gift card number is shared, the money is usually gone and difficult to recover.
How Gift Card Scams Work
Scammers may:
- Pretend to be a supervisor, instructor, or colleague
- Claim there is an urgent problem that needs immediate payment
- Ask for payment using gift cards from popular retailers
- Request photos or screenshots of gift card numbers
Gift card scams are often combined with phishing, tech support scams, or employment scams.
Common Warning Signs
- Requests for payment using gift cards
- Urgent or secretive requests
- Instructions not to talk to others about the request
- Messages claiming gift cards are the “only” payment option
Legitimate organizations do not request payment using gift cards.
How to Protect Yourself
- Never send gift card numbers or PINs to anyone
- Verify unexpected payment requests through trusted channels
- Pause before acting on urgent or unusual requests
Additional Questions
- For UM-related messages involving gift cards, contact the UM IT Helpdesk and the UM Information Security Office.
- For personal gift card scam concerns, contact the gift card issuer and your financial institution as soon as possible.