Important Information About Gift Card Scams
At With Love, we care deeply about your safety and security. Recently, there has been an increase in scams targeting all types of individuals, where criminals attempt to trick people into buying gift cards and providing them with the codes. We want to ensure you are aware of these scams and how to protect yourself.
What Are Gift Card Scams?
Gift card scams typically involve a scammer contacting you and convincing you to purchase gift cards for various fraudulent reasons. These might include:
- Claiming to be from a government agency: The scammer might say you owe taxes or have some legal issue that needs immediate payment.
- Pretending to be a family member in trouble: They might claim a loved one is in urgent need of money due to an emergency.
- Fake prize or lottery winnings: The scammer might tell you that you've won a prize or lottery but need to pay fees or taxes with gift cards to claim it.
- Posing as tech support: They might say your computer has a virus and you need to pay for technical support using gift cards.
How to Recognise a Scam
Here are some common signs that someone is trying to scam you:
- Urgency: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to act quickly.
- Secretive: They may instruct you not to tell anyone about the purchase.
- Unusual Payment Method: They ask you to pay with gift cards, which legitimate companies and government agencies never do.
- Personal Information Requests: They ask for personal information or the gift card codes over the phone or online.
What to Do If You Suspect a Scam
If you think you are being targeted by a scammer, follow these steps:
- Stay Calm: Don’t let the scammer pressure you into acting quickly.
- Verify the Story: Contact the person or organisation directly using a trusted phone number or website, not the information provided by the scammer.
- Talk to Someone You Trust: Discuss the situation with a family member, friend, or trusted adviser.
- Report the Scam: Contact your local police department and report the scam attempt.
Protecting Yourself
- Never share gift card codes: Treat them like cash. Once the codes are shared, the money is gone and usually cannot be recovered.
- Do not follow unusual payment instructions: Legitimate companies and agencies will never ask for payment via gift cards.
- Stay informed: Keep up to date on common scams by visiting trusted websites like the European Consumer Centre (ECC) at www.europe-consommateurs.eu.
We hope this information helps you stay safe from scams. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask one of our friendly staff members.