Gift card scams

How it works

Someone — pretending to be your boss, school principal, the IRS, the police, a "Microsoft tech," a "grandparent in trouble," or a "tech CEO doing employee bonuses" — contacts you and says:

"I'm in a meeting and can't take a call. I need you to grab $500 in Apple gift cards and send me the codes. I'll pay you back."

Or:

"You owe back taxes. To avoid arrest, pay $1,200 in Target gift cards in the next hour and send the codes."

You buy the cards. You send the codes. The money is gone forever. Gift cards are untraceable, non-refundable, and there is no chargeback.

Why people fall for it

• It uses authority figures (boss, IRS, police).
• The urgency is intense.
• Scammers do real research — they know your boss's name and your school's name.
• Some kids genuinely think it might be real because it's that personalized.

Red flags

Easy rule: anyone asking you to pay in gift cards is a scammer.

Specifically:

• Your boss does not need an Apple gift card.
• Schools do not request payment in iTunes cards.
• The IRS does not accept gift cards.
• The police do not collect fines in Steam codes.
• Your "grandma in trouble" did not text you a number you don't recognize.

How to stay safe

1. Anyone asking for gift cards as payment = scam. No exceptions.
2. If a "boss" or "principal" texts from a number you don't recognize, call them on a number you already have saved.
3. If you already bought the cards, contact the card issuer immediately (Apple, Target, etc.) — sometimes they can freeze unused balances.
4. Tell a trusted adult right away. Speed of reporting matters.

Related lessons

• Spotting money scams online

Sources & further reading

• Better Business Bureau — Gift card scams
• Federal Trade Commission — Gift card scams
• IRS — Tax scams alerts

Educational only — not financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. If you think you've been scammed, tell a trusted adult immediately and report it to the FTC and the BBB Scam Tracker.