The holidays are a time for giving but unfortunately, they’re also a time when scammers are more active than ever. Once of the more common types of fraud this time of year involves gift cards. We want to help protect you and your loved ones from falling victim to these scams.

How Gift Card Scams Work

Scammers use a variety of tricks to get people to buy or share gift card information. They might:

• Pretend to be a trusted person or company. You might get a call, text, or email that looks like it’s from your boss, a family member, or a well-known retailer asking you to purchase gift cards.
• Create a sense of urgency. They’ll often say it’s an emergency, someone needs help immediately, or you’ll lose a prize or service if you don’t act fast.
• Ask for gift card numbers and PINs. Once they have those details, your money is gone, and it’s nearly impossible to recover.

Common Red Flags

Keep an eye out for these warning signs:

• Anyone asking for payment via gift cards (Amazon, Target, Apple, etc.) is a scammer.
• Messages or calls with urgent requests or threats to act quickly.
• Emails or texts with spelling errors or unfamiliar sender addresses.
• Gift cards in stores that look tampered with (scratched PINs, loose packaging, or missing barcodes).

Smart Tips to Stay Protected

• Only buy gift cards from trusted sources. Purchase them directly from the store or official retailer websites.
• Inspect the card before buying. Make sure it hasn’t been damaged or exposed.
• Keep your receipt. It may help track the card if there’s a problem.
• Be cautious online. Never share photos of gift cards or receipts on social media.
• Talk with loved ones. Remind family members, especially seniors and teens, about these common scams.

When in Doubt, Reach Out

If you ever receive a suspicious message or request for gift cards, stop and verify before you buy. Contact the company or person directly using a trusted number or email, not the one provided in the message.

At NGFCU, your security is our priority. If you think you may have fallen victim to a scam, contact us right away. We can help guide you on the next steps to protect your accounts and personal information.