Gift cards have become a popular and convenient way to send gifts or make purchases—but they are also a prime target for cybercriminals. In 2024 alone, the UK saw a marked rise in scams involving gift cards, with both individuals and businesses falling victim to increasingly clever schemes.
At CyberHeroes, we believe awareness is your first line of defence. This guide highlights nine of the most common gift card scams and practical tips to help you avoid them.
1. Impersonation Scams
How it works: Scammers pose as your boss, a family member, or a trusted authority figure and urgently request gift cards for business or personal emergencies.
Tip to avoid: Always verify the request by calling the person directly. Never rely solely on email or text for urgent financial actions.
2. Phone Call Scams
How it works: Fraudsters claim to be from government agencies or tech support, demanding payment via gift cards for supposed fines, taxes, or services.
Tip to avoid: No legitimate organization accepts gift cards as payment. Hang up and report the number.
3. Online Marketplace Fraud
How it works: Fake sellers on sites like Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree request payment in gift cards for goods that are never delivered.
Tip to avoid: Use secure payment platforms and never pay strangers with gift cards.
4. Romance Scams
How it works: Scammers build emotional relationships online and eventually request gift cards under the guise of financial hardship.
Tip to avoid: Be cautious with online relationships that progress too quickly or involve financial requests.
5. Prize or Lottery Scams
How it works: Victims are told they’ve won a prize or lottery—but must pay “taxes” or “fees” via gift card to claim it.
Tip to avoid: If you didn’t enter a contest, you didn’t win one. Never pay to receive a prize.
6. Tech Support Pop-Ups
How it works: A fake error message or virus alert instructs the user to call a number. The fake support agent then demands payment via gift card.
Tip to avoid: Close the browser and run a real antivirus scan. Do not call the number or provide any codes.
7. Email Phishing Links
How it works: Emails that appear to be from legitimate retailers prompt users to check gift card balances or claim rewards, but instead steal information or install malware.
Tip to avoid: Check the sender’s email address, avoid clicking unknown links, and navigate to the official site directly.
8. Gift Card Balance Theft
How it works: Scammers tamper with gift cards in-store, copying codes and monitoring balances. Once activated, the funds are drained remotely.
Tip to avoid: Choose cards behind the counter or request freshly issued ones. Always keep your receipt.
9. Fake Customer Support Accounts
How it works: Scammers create fake support profiles on social media, claiming to help with a card issue—but ask for your card details and personal info.
Tip to avoid: Contact the brand only through official websites or verified accounts.
Final Thoughts
Gift card scams are evolving, but so is our ability to stop them—through vigilance, education, and smart cyber hygiene. If you or your business use gift cards, train staff and monitor usage closely.
CyberHeroes offers tailored cybersecurity awareness training for organisations, helping employees recognise and respond to scams before damage is done.
