Gift Card Scams Are Still Thriving: What the Latest D.C. Alert Means for You

Gift cards are a convenient way to give presents, but scammers have turned them into a preferred payment method for fraud. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning residents about a surge in gift card scams. While the alert targets D.C. residents, the advice applies to anyone who receives an unexpected demand for payment via gift card.

Here’s what you need to know to recognize these scams, protect your money, and take action if you’ve been targeted.

What Happened: The D.C. Alert in Context

On December 15, 2025, the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia published an alert detailing how scammers are impersonating government agencies, tech support companies, and even romantic partners to trick people into buying gift cards and sharing the codes. Once the scammer has the card number and PIN, the money is nearly impossible to recover.

The alert is part of a larger pattern. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported that gift card scams consistently rank among the top fraud types, with losses reaching hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Similar warnings have been issued by attorneys general in other states. The D.C. alert serves as a timely reminder that this method remains active and effective against unsuspecting consumers.

Why It Matters: The Mechanics of a Gift Card Scam

Scammers demand gift cards because they are nearly untraceable and can be cashed out quickly. Unlike credit cards or bank transfers, gift card transactions have few consumer protections. Once a scammer has the card number and PIN, they can spend the balance before you even realize you’ve been cheated.

Common scenarios include:

  • Impersonated government agencies: Someone claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security, or a utility company says you owe back taxes or face disconnection – and demands payment with a gift card.
  • Tech support scams: A pop-up on your computer says your device is infected. You call a number, and the “tech” asks for remote access and a gift card to fix the “problem.”
  • Romance scams: An online partner you’ve never met professes love but needs a gift card for an emergency or travel.
  • Fake sweepstakes or refunds: You’re told you’ve won a prize or are owed a refund, but you must first pay fees with a gift card.

The common thread: urgency, secrecy, and a demand to pay only with gift cards. Legitimate organizations never ask for payment this way.

What Readers Can Do: Spot, Stop, and Report

How to spot a gift card scam

  • Anyone who insists you pay by gift card – whether it’s iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, or a store card – is almost certainly a scammer.
  • Be suspicious of calls or messages that create pressure: “Pay now or your electricity will be shut off” or “You’ll be arrested if you don’t pay immediately.”
  • Never share the numbers on the back of a gift card with someone you don’t know personally and trust.

What to do if you’ve already paid

  1. Contact the gift card issuer immediately. If it’s a store-branded card, call the store’s customer service number. For third-party cards like Visa gift cards, call the number on the card. Explain that you were scammed. In some cases, the company may be able to freeze the card or refund the money, especially if you report within 24–48 hours.
  2. Report the fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC shares data with law enforcement.
  3. File a report with your local police department. While they may not be able to recover funds, a police report can help with other agencies or for tax deduction purposes if the loss is large.
  4. Notify the platform where the scam started. If it happened via social media, email, or a dating app, report the account.

How to prevent future scams

  • Never pay a government agency, utility company, or anyone you haven’t met in person with a gift card.
  • If someone asks you to buy a gift card for a bill, hang up or stop messaging. Verify the request by calling the organization directly using a number from a trusted source – not the one the caller gave you.
  • Educate family members, especially older adults, about this tactic. Scammers often target seniors who may be less familiar with digital payment methods.

Sources

  • Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia. “Attorney General Schwalb Issues Alert Warning District Residents About Gift Card Scams.” December 15, 2025.
  • Federal Trade Commission. “Gift Card Scams.” Accessed April 2026. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/gift-card-scams
  • Multiple state attorney general consumer alerts (California, New York, Florida) issued throughout 2024–2025.

If you live in D.C. and believe you’ve been targeted, you can also contact the OAG’s Consumer Protection Hotline at (202) 442-9828. For everyone else, start with the FTC. Quick action can sometimes save your money – but the best defense is to hang up, delete the message, and never buy a gift card for a stranger.