Gift Card Scams

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Money If you receive a phone call, email, or text demanding that you pay a fine, a utility bill, or a debt with a gift card, hang up immediately. That is the core message behind a recent consumer alert from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who warned District residents about the rising tide of gift card scams. While the alert specifically targets Washington, D.C., the tactics it describes are used nationwide and year-round, not just during the holidays. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: What the DC Attorney General’s Recent Alert Means for You If you’ve ever received an unexpected phone call demanding payment by gift card, you are not alone. Last December, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert specifically warning residents about the rise of gift card scams. The alert, published on the OAG website, highlights how scammers are targeting consumers with increasingly convincing stories—and how quickly money can disappear once a gift card code is shared. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Money If you receive an unexpected phone call or email demanding payment with a gift card, you are almost certainly being targeted by a scammer. Gift card scams have become one of the most common and costly frauds in the United States, and law enforcement agencies across the country are seeing a sharp increase in reports. The reason is simple: once a gift card code is shared, the money is nearly impossible to recover. ...

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. ...

Gift Card Scams: D.C. Attorney General Issues New Alert – Here’s How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever received a call, email, or text demanding payment with a gift card—and it felt off—you were right to be suspicious. Gift card scams are one of the most persistent fraud tactics in the United States, and they show no signs of slowing down. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a fresh alert warning residents about this exact threat. ...

Gift Card Scams: New Alert Highlights Warning Signs Everyone Should Know Earlier this month, Attorney General Brian Schwalb of Washington, D.C. issued an alert warning residents about a surge in gift card scams. While the alert was directed at D.C. consumers, the tactics described are used everywhere. Gift card fraud is one of the most common and costly scams in the United States today, and it shows no signs of slowing down. ...

Gift Card Scams Are on the Rise: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Money If you get a call demanding payment with a gift card, it’s a scam. That message comes not only from consumer advocates but recently from the District of Columbia Attorney General’s office, which issued an alert warning residents about a surge in gift card fraud. While the alert targeted Washington, D.C., the scam itself is nationwide. Gift card scams are among the most frequently reported types of fraud to the Federal Trade Commission. Understanding how they work—and what to do if you’ve been targeted—can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: How to Spot and Avoid Them Gift cards are convenient, but they’ve also become a favorite tool for scammers. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning residents about a spike in gift card fraud. While the alert is aimed at Washington, D.C., the tactics used are widespread, and the advice applies to consumers everywhere. ...

Don’t Get Wrapped Up in a Scam: How to Protect Yourself from Gift Card Fraud Gift cards are meant to be a simple, thoughtful present. Unfortunately, their convenience and ease of use have also made them a favorite tool for scammers. This isn’t just a minor annoyance—it’s a serious and widespread form of fraud that costs consumers millions each year. Recently, Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert specifically warning District residents about the ongoing threat of gift card scams, underscoring the need for public vigilance. ...

Don’t Get Wrapped Up in a Scam: How to Spot and Stop Gift Card Fraud A recent consumer alert from the District of Columbia Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, serves as a critical reminder: gift card scams are not a minor nuisance; they are a pervasive and financially devastating form of fraud. These scams succeed because they exploit trust, urgency, and a common misconception that gift cards are a legitimate form of payment to companies or government agencies. They are not. Understanding how these scams work is your first and best defense. ...