Gift Card Scams Are Surging: How to Protect Yourself Now

If you get a call, text, or email demanding payment by buying a gift card and reading off the numbers, stop. That is almost certainly a scam. No legitimate business, government agency, or even a distressed family member will ever ask you to pay with a gift card—and the Washington, D.C. Attorney General’s office just reminded residents why it’s critical to stay alert.

On December 15, 2025, Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning District residents about the continued prevalence of gift card scams. The announcement followed a related alert about how consumers can access funds from a Google Play Store settlement, underscoring the dual nature of gift card fraud: scammers drain cards, and legitimate refunds exist for those affected.

What Are Gift Card Scams?

Gift card scams typically start with an unsolicited phone call, email, or text that creates a sense of urgency. The caller might claim to be from the IRS, a utility company, tech support, or even a grandchild who needs bail money. The story varies, but the instruction is always the same: go buy a specific brand of gift card (often Google Play, iTunes, Amazon, or Target), scratch off the code, and read the numbers over the phone or send a picture.

Once the scammer has that code, they can drain the card instantly. The money is gone, and the victim has no easy way to get it back. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), gift card scams have cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years, and they remain one of the most common fraud types reported.

Why It Matters

Gift card scams work because they exploit trust and urgency. Scammers rely on fear—you’ll lose your electricity, face arrest, or let a loved one down unless you act immediately. They often tell victims to stay on the phone, keep the purchase secret, and not tell anyone at the store. By the time the victim realizes what happened, the card balance is zero.

The Attorney General’s alert is timely because fraudsters constantly adapt. They may name-drop real agencies (the D.C. government, the IRS, or a well-known tech company) and spoof phone numbers to look official. The only consistent red flag is the payment method: no real organization demands payment with a gift card. The U.S. government, utility companies, and major retailers all make it clear they never request gift card payments.

What You Can Do

If you receive such a request, stop and verify independently. Look up the official number for the agency or company the caller claims to represent. Do not use the number they provide. Legitimate demands for payment come by mail, through secure online portals, or by check—never by calling a 1-800 number and buying a gift card.

Recognize the red flags:

  • Any unsolicited demand for payment using a gift card (especially Google Play, iTunes, Amazon, or Target cards).
  • A sense of extreme urgency: “Pay now or your account will be closed,” “Your grandson is in jail,” “You’ll be arrested.”
  • Instructions to stay on the phone and not tell anyone.
  • Requests for the PIN or card number after purchase.

If you are targeted:

  1. Hang up or delete the message. Do not engage.
  2. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also file a complaint with your state attorney general or local police.
  3. If you suspect you have already purchased gift cards for a scammer, immediately contact the card issuer. For Google Play cards, call 855-466-4438. For iTunes, call Apple Support. For Amazon or others, contact their customer service. Act fast—sometimes funds can be frozen if the card has not yet been spent.

If you were a victim of the Google Play gift card scam in Washington D.C.: Check the Attorney General’s website for information about the Google Play Store settlement. Eligible consumers may be able to claim refunds for losses incurred through gift card scams involving Google Play cards.

Sources

  • Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia: “Attorney General Brian Schwalb Issues Alert Warning District Residents About Gift Card Scams” (December 15, 2025)
  • Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia: “Attorney General Schwalb Alerts District Residents About How to Access Funds from Google Play Store Settlement” (December 17, 2025)
  • Federal Trade Commission: Gift Card Scams (ftc.gov)

Stay wary. If someone demands payment in gift cards, it’s a scam—every time.