FRAUD ALERT: "Special Offer" Gift Card Scam

Here's a quick gift card fraud alert warning you about scammers who call, text, or email with "special offers" if you pay with gift cards. The offer goes something like this. A scammer contacts you and offers you a discount on your cable TV service, your phone bill, etc. You might get a text telling you that there's a virus on your computer and you get can it removed if you buy this special software. The stories are endless, but in almost all cases, you'll be instructed to make payment with a gift card.

THAT'S A SCAM. No government agency or reputable business will ever ask for payment with gift cards. Why would they? Why would your cable company want gift cards? Why would your cable company want ANOTHER brand's gift cards?

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? If you get an offer like this, just hang up, block the phone number, delete the email or block the text. It's not legitimate. And if you're not sure, then call the company yourself. Don't take the phone number from the scammer...look it up for yourself and call directly. Then you'll know for sure that you're being scammed.

IF YOU THINK YOU'RE THE VICTIM OF A GIFT CARD SCAM: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at their website: reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or call the toll free number at 1-877-FTC-HELP.

If you any any other questions on gift card scams, leave a comment below.

Happy Gift Carding and thanks for watching.

~ Shelley

Mentioned in this video:
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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
reportfraud.ftc.gov/
1-877-FTC-HELP

More on gift card scam protection:
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Gift Card Scam protection: www.giftcards.com/gift-card-scam-protection
Gift Card Scams You Can Easily Avoid: www.giftcards.com/gcgf/giftcard-scams
Discount Gift Card Scams: www.giftcards.com/gcgf/discount-giftcard-fraud
How to Get a Lost Gift Card Back: www.giftcards.com/gcgf/lost-gift-card