Gift card scams

• Criminals may pretend to be your bank or the police and ask you to buy a gift card and share the code as part of an ‘investigation’.
• You may receive a message or email that appears to come from a loved one asking to help with a favour, often involving the purchase of a gift card. In many cases, this happens because a criminal has gained access to someone's email or social media account and is contacting people they know.
• Criminals may also impersonate a colleague or manager, and ask you to buy gift cards as a task or favour.
• Some criminals tamper with gift cards in shops by taking the codes from the back, and putting the card back on the shelf, so when a victim purchases the gift card the money goes to the criminal.
• Criminals may send out emails or text messages, offering gift cards as a ‘reward’ or ‘prize’ for completing a survey or task. These messages may be attempts to steal your personal information.

How can I protect myself?

• Never share the codes on vouchers or gift cards you have purchased apart from when redeeming them for goods or services you are purchasing yourself.
• If somebody is pressuring you, stop and check whether the request is genuine. Contact the person or organisation using a trusted number or contact method.
• Be cautious about any unexpected request for payment, especially if you are asked to pay by gift card.
• When buying gift cards in shops, inspect the card carefully for signs of tampering.
• If you are unsure, speak to your bank before taking any action.