Many people buy gift cards online because it is easier than physically going out to shop. However, there are security risks to buying gift cards online which you should be aware of before making purchases.
Gift cards are not as safe as cash, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself from eGift card fraud.
In this article we will explain the most common types of eGift card fraud so that you know how to avoid these scams when purchasing gift cards online.
Phishing Scams:
eGift card scammers will send an email that appears to be from a reputable company. The email will tell you that you have won or been gifted a gift card and include a link asking for personal identification information.
Never respond to any emails requesting personal information, even if the email looks official . Legitimate companies will never ask for this type of information via email .
Never click on links within an email that ask for personal information. Enter the website address directly into your web browser to avoid being directed to a fake website.
Unfortunately, many people have become victims of eGift card fraud after receiving emails saying they have won or been gifted gift cards . People may receive these emails from scammers pretending to be the companies themselves or from a legitimate company that has been hacked.
Regardless of who actually sent you the email, never respond to emails asking for your personal information and always check if the website address is correct before entering any identification details .
Scammers send out hundreds of phishing emails per day and they may use real gift card logos and company names to make their emails seem more legitimate.
Receiving a fake email claiming you’ve won or been gifted a gift card is extremely common and is the first step in almost all eGift card scams .
Don’t click on links within an email asking for personal information – enter the website address directly into your browser instead.
How to Avoid Gift Card Scams?
Remember, reputable companies will never ask for personal information via email. If an offer claiming to be from a company seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Gift Card Auction Scams:
People have been scammed by gift card auction sites that sell counterfeit cards or sell a physical card for a much higher price than it’s worth.
If the description of a physical gift card is vague or doesn’t include any information, be careful. If you think there is something suspicious about the seller, don’t bid. Read the seller’s feedback before you make a purchase, ensuring that there is nothing negative about the seller or their gift cards.
Gift card auction scammers target people who are looking for deals when buying gift cards online. If you are looking to buy physical gift cards on sites like Craigslist or Ebay, be wary of extremely cheap deals. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
