Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them Before You Get Hooked

This week’s episode of Your Tech Makeover is a little different. It’s a special alert episode I dropped into the feed because it’s important, especially with the holidays coming up.

While my wife and I were at Target, a cashier handed us a bright red flyer warning about gift card scams, and it made me think of my neighbor, who recently fell for one of these schemes. That quick moment at the checkout reminded me just how common these scams are, and how easily they can catch anyone off guard. So, I decided to make this episode to help you, and the people you care about, stay one step ahead.

Episode Summary

In this short but timely episode, I break down how gift card scams actually work, why they’re especially common during the holidays, and what to do if you or someone you know gets targeted. Scammers pretend to be official, from the IRS, a utility company, even a grandchild in trouble, and pressure people to buy gift cards and share the numbers as “payment.” Once those numbers are shared, the money is gone.

I also share my neighbor’s story about being tricked into buying $500 in gift cards to “avoid having the power shut off.” It’s a tough lesson, but one worth sharing because scammers rely on fear and urgency to make smart people act before they think. The good news is, there are clear signs to spot and simple ways to protect yourself, like pausing before you act, verifying through official channels, and talking things over with someone you trust.

The message of this episode is simple: no legitimate company, agency, or person will ever ask to be paid with a gift card. Knowing that one rule can save a lot of heartache (and money) this holiday season.

Key Takeaways

• 💳 Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. If anyone asks you to pay with one — it’s a scam.
• ⏸️ Pause before you act. Scammers count on urgency. Slowing down gives you time to think clearly.
• 📞 Verify directly. Hang up, look up the company’s real number, and call back on your terms.
• 🧾 Keep your receipts. If you’ve already bought gift cards, contact the card issuer immediately — sometimes they can stop the transfer.
• 🧡 Talk to your family. Set a “pause plan” so everyone knows what to do if they get pressured to pay with a gift card.

Links & Resources

• 🎧 Listen to the full episode here
• 💻 ReportFraud.FTC.gov — Official site to report gift card and payment scams
• 🏬 Target’s “Beware of Gift Card Scams” in-store flyer (mentioned in episode)

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform and share it with your friends or family, especially those who might be at risk this holiday season. Every share helps someone else stay safe.

And if you’d like to support the show, listeners who contribute $25 or more through the link at YourTechMakeover.com can book a personal 25-minute tech consultation as a thank-you. It’s my way of helping you simplify and get more out of the technology in your life.

As always, you can reach me directly at frank@yourtechmakeover.com. Thanks for listening and for sharing this important reminder, and remember: if someone asks you to pay with a gift card, hang up.