The Rise of Gift Card Scammers, and How They Work

1. What do scammers do with Itune cards?
2. Do gift cards work if you steal them?
3. Why do scammers want gift cards?
4. Why do scammers want Steam cards?
5. How do thieves steal gift cards?
6. What happens if u steal a gift card?
7. Can you activate gift cards without buying them?
8. Why do sugar daddies want gift cards?
9. Can you get scammed on Google pay?
10. Can you get scammed with a vanilla gift card?
11. What can you do if you get scammed on steam?
12. Can Steam cards be used for cash?

What do scammers do with Itune cards?

The reason why scammers ask for iTunes Gift Cards is simple: The codes are hard to trace — and once they have it they can resell to get money. They use a variety of ways to coerce money out of victims: They might say there's a warrant out for the victim's arrest for IRS debt, or a love interest might need money abroad.

Do gift cards work if you steal them?

If you use gift cards, be sure to keep your eyes open so you don't become a victim. Gift cards have no value until activated, so they aren't usually under lock and key at the store. ... Thieves steal the worthless gift cards, record card numbers and PINs, and then return the cards to the shelves at the store.

Why do scammers want gift cards?

While gift cards tend to be popular with consumers because they are a convenient option for gift giving, they are also attractive for scammers. Unlike wire transfers, gift cards are easily purchased and can provide instant funds, without setting off any alerts.

Why do scammers want Steam cards?

The scammers often pose as agents of official agencies, such as the I.R.S., to convince their victims to comply. Victims are urged to purchase Steam Wallet Gift Cards at a retail shop in their area. ... If someone contacts you to pay them in Steam Wallet Gift Cards, you are most likely targeted in a scam.

How do thieves steal gift cards?

Hacking merchants to steal gift card numbers in bulk: Phishing, SQL injection, social engineering of employees, corruption of employees and accidental data exposure are some of the many ways hackers and thieves can obtain batches of gift card numbers from retailers.

What happens if u steal a gift card?

Store security could detain them until the police arrive, and they could be prosecuted for theft and/or fraud. But if no one has yet reported it lost or stolen, it will have the full value and anyone could use it to make a purchase. That is why you should keep up with gift cards and use them as soon as possible.

Can you activate gift cards without buying them?

Many gift cards are activated when they're purchased, so they don't need to be activated by the recipient. However, some do need to be activated by the recipient before they can be used. You can activate a gift card by calling the merchant or accessing the provided URL and inputting the correct activation numbers.

Why do sugar daddies want gift cards?

They like gift cards because it's harder to trace. No, it's a scam. Sugar daddies will not ask you to send them money, they will be the one sending you money. Sugar daddies also never deal in gift cards.

Can you get scammed on Google pay?

Tip: Scammers often send fake Google Pay screenshots that make it look like they made a payment. If you try to sell a good or service, a scammer may contact you posing as an interested potential buyer. When you agree on a price, they may ask to pay you using a money transfer.

Can you get scammed with a vanilla gift card?

As the FTC succinctly says, "Gift cards are for gifts, not payments. Anyone who demands payment by gift card is always a scammer." It's important to be aware of common scams involving the Vanilla Visa gift card (and other gift cards) so you can recognize them if someone tries to rip you off.

What can you do if you get scammed on steam?

How do I report a scammer?

1. Go to the profile of the offending user.
2. Click the 'More' drop-down located at the top right of the page.
3. Choose 'Report Violation'
4. Select the violation (example, 'Attempted Trade Scam') and hit 'Submit Report'

Can Steam cards be used for cash?

It can only be redeemed for games on steam. But you can also sell it to someone for cash. ... The only reasons someone would ask for a Steam card is either to purchase games on Steam, or resell the card.