How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams: A New Alert from D.C.’s Attorney General
In mid-December 2025, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning District residents about a surge in gift card scams. The alert is short, but it underscores a problem that drains hundreds of millions of dollars from Americans every year. The tactics scammers use are remarkably consistent—and once you know them, they become much easier to spot.
What happened
On December 15, 2025, the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia published an alert titled “Attorney General Brian Schwalb Issues Alert Warning District Residents About Gift Card Scams.” The exact text of the alert isn’t reprinted here, but it follows a pattern common to consumer warnings: scammers impersonate government agencies, tech support representatives, or utility companies and demand payment in gift cards.
Separately, on December 17, the OAG announced that District residents could begin accessing funds from a $700 million Google Play Store settlement over alleged anticompetitive practices. While that settlement isn’t directly about gift card fraud, it’s a reminder that state attorneys general are active in consumer protection—and that some victims of tech-related scams may have recourse through broader legal actions.
Why gift card scams are especially dangerous
According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing more than $200 million to gift card scams in 2024 alone. The real number is likely higher, because many cases go unreported.
Gift cards are effectively cash. Once you share the card number and PIN with a scammer, the money is typically gone within minutes. Unlike credit card transactions, there is no chargeback mechanism. Retailers and card issuers are not required to refund stolen funds, though some have voluntarily offered limited relief in certain cases.
Scammers exploit this irreversibility. They rely on urgency and fear to short-circuit your judgment.
Common gift card scam scenarios
Most gift card scams fall into a few familiar categories:
- Impersonation of a government agency. A caller claims to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, or a local law enforcement office. They say you owe money or face arrest unless you pay immediately with a gift card.
- Tech support fraud. A pop-up or phone call warns of a virus on your computer. The “technician” asks for remote access and then demands payment for a fake repair.
- Utility shutoff threats. The caller says your electricity or water will be disconnected unless you buy a gift card and read the numbers over the phone.
- Romance scams. Someone you met online claims an emergency and asks for gift cards to cover travel or medical expenses.
Red flags to watch for
No legitimate business or government agency will ask you to pay with a gift card. The IRS, utility companies, and tech support firms all have formal billing systems. If someone demands payment in iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, or prepaid Visa cards, stop immediately.
Other warning signs:
- High-pressure tactics: “You must act now or face consequences.”
- Secrecy: “Don’t tell anyone about this call.”
- Instructions to stay on the line while you drive to a store and buy cards.
- Request for the card number and PIN, not just a receipt.
What readers can do
If you receive such a call or message, follow these steps:
- Do not engage. Hang up. Do not click links in unsolicited texts or emails.
- Verify independently. Call the organization the person claims to represent using a number you know is correct—not one they provide.
- Report the scam. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you’re in D.C., also contact the Office of the Attorney General’s consumer protection hotline at (202) 442-9828.
- Contact the gift card issuer. If you bought a card but haven’t shared the number, the issuer may be able to freeze or reverse the transaction. This is not guaranteed, but it’s worth trying.
- If you’re a victim of a specific scam tied to a settlement. Keep an eye on official announcements. The Google Play Store settlement, for example, provides compensation to some consumers who were overcharged. Always use official government websites to verify eligibility.
Final thought
Gift cards are designed for giving, not paying. Treat any demand for gift card payment as a red flag. Scammers count on you being flustered or polite. A moment of skepticism can save you hundreds of dollars.
The D.C. alert applies to everyone, not just District residents. The same phone calls and messages cross state lines. Awareness is your best defense.
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, consumer loss data on gift card scams, 2024.