SCAM LIBRARY · MONEY & PAYMENT

The gift-card demand

Someone insists you pay a bill, fine, or fee with gift cards. It's always a scam.

Hand-authored (ScamVet), reviewed · reviewed 2026-07-06

How it works

A caller or message claims you owe money — to a utility, an agency, a company — and says the only way to pay is with gift cards. They keep you on the line while you buy the cards and read off the numbers.

Red flags

• Any request to pay with gift cards (iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Steam).
• Pressure to stay on the phone and act right now.
• A threat — service cut off, arrest, a fine — if you don't pay.

What to do

• Hang up or stop replying. No real business or agency takes gift cards as payment.
• If you already shared card numbers, contact the card issuer immediately — some funds can be frozen.
• Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.