50+ Lifestyles

Gift Card Scams: What Older Adults Need to Know and How to Protect Themselves

By Milestones Agency on Aging

Gift cards are convenient for many things, but criminals have hijacked their popularity for scams. In a 2022 AARP survey, one in three adults reported being asked to buy gift cards for a bill, fee, or prize—making it clear that gift card scams are on the rise. Unfortunately, around 13 million adults ages 18 and older were tricked into purchasing them.

Scammers often use gift cards because they are easy to cash in, hard to trace, and a quick way for criminals to get away with the money. The scammer may pose as someone you know or a trusted institution, making it hard to spot the fraud at first. But if you’re being asked to pay with a gift card, it’s always a scam.

Signs to Watch For:

• Being directed to buy gift cards: Often referred to as “electronic vouchers,” gift cards are requested as a quick payment method.
• Sharing the gift card numbers: Scammers will ask you to send them the numbers on the back of the card, either by reading them off or sending a picture.
• Unexpected requests: These scams often come from sources that seem legitimate, but it’s unusual for them to ask for money this way. Some common scenarios include: A Social Security warning about your account, a utility company threatening immediate shutoff, a lottery claiming you’ve won but need to pay upfront fees, or a grandchild or loved one urgently needing bail or money for an emergency.

How to Protect Yourself:

If someone asks you to pay with a gift card, immediately recognize that it’s a scam. Here’s what you can do:

• Never purchase gift cards for anyone who asks.
• Stop communication with the scammer and report the incident to your retailer or card issuer.
• Talk to someone you trust: Before acting on any urgent requests, check with a family member, friend, or law enforcement.

Retailers like Target, CVS, and Best Buy are working to prevent these scams by training their employees to spot suspicious behavior, but you are your best defense. Stay aware and remember—legitimate companies and agencies will never ask you to pay using gift cards.

If you suspect that an older adult is experiencing abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation, please contact Milestones Area Agency on Aging at 855-410-6222.

Milestones Area Agency on Aging can connect caregivers to valuable community programs, educational opportunities, respite care options, and guidance on access to local services. For more information on how we can assist caregivers, visit MilestonesAAA.org.