What Are Gift Card Scams and How to Avoid Them

Gift card scams are a type of social engineering attack in which fraudsters manipulate victims into purchasing and transferring funds via gift cards from popular platforms such as Apple, Amazon, Google Play, or others. These scams are particularly dangerous because gift card transactions are nearly impossible to reverse or trace, and funds can be moved instantly, leaving little room for recovery once the scam has been executed.

Gift card scams have become a preferred method for cybercriminals for several reasons:

Anonymity: Unlike traditional bank transfers, gift card purchases don’t link to a bank account, making it much harder to trace the scammer.

Instant Transfer: Once you share the gift card details (i.e., the card number or PIN), the scammer can immediately access the funds and use or sell the gift card.

Resale Market: Gift cards are easily sold online at a discount, allowing scammers to quickly turn them into money while minimising their personal risk.

A common tactic involves the scammer pretending to be someone familiar to you - such as your manager or a colleague - who will contact you with a sense of urgency, asking you to purchase gift cards for a supposed business reason. 

You may be asked to send the gift card codes through an email or over text. Once shared, the scammer redeems the card, leaving the you out of pocket.

Gift card requests in professional settings are rare and should raise suspicion. Always be wary if:

• A colleague or manager unexpectedly asks you to buy and transfer gift cards, especially in urgent situations.
• The request comes through informal channels such as a personal email or text, rather than an official Trinity channel (@tcd.ie email address).
  
  

How to Protect Yourself

Follow these key steps to avoid falling victim to a gift card scam:

Check Links: Always verify the legitimacy of any links or requests through trusted, official platforms. If unsure, contact the requester through a known, verified method to confirm the legitimacy.

Stop and Think: Scammers often create a sense of urgency. Take a moment to stop, think, and assess the situation before acting.

Transferring Data: Be mindful of where and how you transfer sensitive information. Never share gift card details through unofficial channels.
 
When in Doubt, Ask for Help: If you’re unsure about a request, reach out to IT support or a trusted advisor for guidance before proceeding.

By staying vigilant and following these general security practices, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to a gift card scam.