Consumer tip: Gift cards are for gifts, not for payments
If you’re in a gifting mood, whether for a birthday, the holiday season or you just want to say thank you, the question that always seems to pop up is what to give? Often we know or find out enough about a gift recipient to know their likes but maybe not specifics, like sizes. Gift cards to a favorite store or restaurant, for example, are a good solution to the present conundrum. But heed the Federal Trade Commission’s advice: “Gift cards are for gifts, not for payments.”
Whenever someone requires payment by gift card, it’s a scam. One red flag is when they tell you which card to buy and where to buy it. Scammers will ask you to send them the gift card or more often they will ask you for the card number and PIN codes on the back of the gift cards. Either way, it’s a scam. No legitimate business or government agency would ever have you make payments with a gift card.
More information at marincountyda.org or 415-473-6495