Key rule: No government agency, utility, or legitimate business ever asks you to pay with gift cards.
If someone demands payment in gift cards — IRS, Social Security, Microsoft, a family member in trouble — it is a scam. Hang up.
What Is an Impostor Scam?
An impostor scam is when a criminal pretends to be someone you trust — a government official, tech support worker, bank employee, family member, or employer — and pressures you into buying gift cards and sharing the numbers.
Once you read the gift card number and PIN to the caller, the money is gone immediately. There is no recovery process that can reverse this in most cases. Prevention is the only effective defense.
Common Impostor Scam Scripts
📞 IRS / Tax Scam
"You owe back taxes and will be arrested in 2 hours unless you pay right now with Google Play cards."
The IRS never calls to demand immediate payment. It always sends written notices first. IRS scam alerts
📱 Tech Support Scam
"Your computer has a virus. Pay with iTunes cards to fix it remotely." Or a pop-up locks your screen and demands gift card payment.
Microsoft, Apple, and Google never ask for payment by gift card. Legitimate tech support never demands upfront payment this way.
👪 Family Emergency Scam
"Grandma, it's me — I'm in jail and need you to buy gift cards right now. Don't tell mom."
Hang up and call your family member directly on a known number to verify. Scammers impersonate voices convincingly and create false urgency.
🏦 Utility / Debt Scam
"Your electricity will be cut off in 30 minutes unless you pay with Walmart gift cards."
Utilities never demand immediate gift card payment to prevent shutoff. Call your utility directly using the number on your bill to verify any claim.
🏆 Prize / Lottery Scam
"You've won $500,000! Just pay a $200 processing fee with Amazon gift cards to claim your prize."
Legitimate prizes never require upfront payment. If you have to pay to collect a prize, it is a scam.
Red Flags in Every Impostor Scam
Pressure tactics
- Urgency: "You must act right now or face arrest/cutoff/loss"
- Secrecy: "Do not tell anyone about this call"
- Fear: Threatening language about legal action or consequences
- Keeping you on the phone while you buy cards at the store
Payment demands
- Request to buy gift cards (Google Play, Apple, Amazon, Walmart, eBay, etc.)
- Asking you to read the numbers and PIN over the phone
- Telling you to take photos and send them
- Requesting multiple card purchases at different stores
What to Do If You Are Being Targeted Right Now
1
Hang up or stop contact immediately
You are not being rude. You are protecting yourself. Put down the phone.
2
Do not buy any gift cards
Once you buy and share the numbers, recovery is nearly impossible. If you have not bought cards yet, the situation is recoverable.
3
Verify the claim independently
Look up the official number for the agency or company (IRS, utility, bank) and call directly. Do not call back a number the caller gave you.
4
Talk to someone you trust
Scammers try to isolate you. Tell a family member, friend, or bank before doing anything irreversible.
If You Already Paid: Report Immediately
Card Issuer
Call the issuer immediately — some have fraud teams that may help freeze or flag the cards
Number on back of card
Local Police
File a local police report for documentation
A police report may help with bank or issuer claims
How to Protect Older Family Members
Seniors are the most frequently targeted group in impostor scams. If you have elderly family members:
- Have a direct conversation about gift card payment scams before they happen
- Create a family code word so they can verify if someone is genuinely in trouble
- Encourage them to call you before buying any gift cards for any reason
- Ask their local store to add a "scam warning" reminder at the gift card display (many stores do this)
About this guide
This guide is educational and based on FTC guidance as of March 2026. If you were victimized, contact reportfraud.ftc.gov. This is not legal advice.