Demanding payment in retail gift cards, whose codes are untraceable and irreversible once shared.
Scammers ask victims to buy gift cards and read back the codes, instantly transferring the value with no way to reverse it. Gift cards are a payment method for gifts — never for taxes, fees, jobs, or fines.
Any employer or agency requesting payment or “verification” via gift cards is running a scam.
Red flags
- Asked to buy gift cards for a job or fee
- Asked to read card numbers or send photos of them
- Urgency to buy before an offer “expires”
Frequently asked questions
Why do scammers love gift cards?
Gift card codes act like cash: once you share them, the money is gone instantly and can't be traced or refunded. No legitimate business or government agency asks to be paid in gift cards.