Teamviewer scam warning1/8/2024 ![]() ![]() □ Get award-winning spam, scam, and identity theft protection - for free. The moment someone asks for a gift card payment, you should hang up or delete the email. Legitimate companies will never demand (nor typically accept) payment via gift cards. The bottom line: If you’re told to pay with gift cards, it’s a scam. Scammers will often keep you on the phone and tell you exactly which gift cards to buy (Amazon, Target, Google Play, etc.). This information is typically on the back of the card, and it gives them instant access to the money on the card. You’ll be asked to purchase and share the gift card number and PIN. To fix the situation, the solution will be to send them money via gift cards.They may even take the opposite approach and claim you’ve won a prize - but need to pay fees with gift cards before it can be released. Scammers will try to get you to act without thinking by scaring you with claims that your bank account was compromised, you’re behind on a payment, or you were scammed. Next, they create an urgent situation.Many gift card scams happen over the phone because imposters know they can get you to stay on the line while you purchase gift cards and share the numbers and PINs. Scammers try to gain your trust by impersonating trusted authorities - such as companies like Amazon, your bank or utility company, or even your boss. Fraudsters contact you pretending to be someone you trust.Here’s how a typical gift card scam plays out: Yet, despite the different angles, most gift card scams follow a similar pattern. Įach scammer has a preferred target with the most common gift card scams going after cards from Google Play, eBay, Amazon, Apple, Steam, Visa, and Target. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) reports that the average consumer loses $700 in this type of scam, with elderly victims losing the most. Scammers want gift cards because they’re easy to purchase, nearly impossible to trace or refund, and can be treated as cash. Gift card scams occur when fraudsters trick you into buying gift cards or prepaid cards and sharing the information on the backs of the cards with them. What are Gift Card Scams? How Do They Work? In this guide, we’ll explain how gift card scams work and why scammers want gift cards, the latest and most common scams to be aware of, and how you can get your money back and protect yourself if you’ve sent gift cards to a fraudster. Gift cards are still a legitimate payment method - when used properly and safely. ![]() According to the latest data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) : Americans lost over $228 million to gift card scams in 2022 alone. Unfortunately, despite more people being aware of the dangers of gift card scams, they’ve continued to skyrocket in recent years. The simple truth is that if someone asks you to pay for goods, services, fines, fees, or to “protect” your bank account by buying and sharing gift card details, it’s a scam. ![]()
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