Tech fixes · Scams Targeting Seniors & Families
Asked to Pay With Gift Cards? It’s a Scam. Here’s What to Do
No real government agency, utility, bank or tech company asks to be paid in gift cards. If cards were already bought, call the gift card company right away with the card numbers and receipt; if the money hasn’t been spent yet, they may be able to freeze it.
Also searched as: scammer asked for gift cards · bought gift cards for a scammer · pay IRS with gift cards · gift card scam what to do
- Starting price
- From $150
- Where
- Remote, anywhere in the U.S.
- Quote
- Fixed price before work starts
Try this first
- Stop: don’t buy more cards or read numbers over the phone
- Call the gift card company using the number on the back of the card
- Keep the cards, receipts and the scammer’s phone number
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Tell the family so the scammer can’t try again
When it’s more than a quick fix
If the scammer was given access to the computer, or bank or card numbers, the risk is bigger than the gift cards, so get help locking things down today.
How we fix it remotely
We help the family put money safeguards in place: bank alerts to a trusted family member, gift-card warning rules and screening for the calls these scams start with.
How a remote fix works
- 1
Tell us what’s happening
Two minutes with the form on this page. No account needed.
- 2
Get a fixed price
A reply within one business day, with the price agreed before any work starts.
- 3
We fix it remotely
You approve access, follow progress and pay in your private client portal.
Related services
Family Scam Alerts & Money Safeguards
Set up the alerts and safeguards that catch scams in time: bank and card alerts to a trusted family member, credit freezes and a plan for what to do when something looks wrong.
Help After a Scam: Seniors & Families
Fast, calm help after a scam: we remove the scammer’s remote-access software, lock down accounts, change passwords and help the family report it and contact the bank.
Call Screening for Seniors (Only Approved Numbers Ring)
Calls from family, friends, doctors and other approved numbers ring through. Unknown callers are asked who they are or sent to voicemail, and robocalls never ring at all.
Questions
Can the money on the cards be recovered?
Sometimes, if you call the card company before the scammer spends it. Speed matters most.
Why do scammers want gift cards?
Gift card balances are fast to spend and hard to trace or reverse, which is why no legitimate business asks for them.
Can you fix this remotely?
We help the family put money safeguards in place: bank alerts to a trusted family member, gift-card warning rules and screening for the calls these scams start with.
More scams targeting seniors & families fixes
- Parent Let a Scammer Into Their Computer
- Got a “Grandma, I’m in Trouble” Call
- Fake Amazon or Refund Call About an Overpayment
- Call Saying Medicare or Social Security Is Suspended
- Elderly Parent Getting Scam Calls All Day
- Parent Keeps Getting Scam Emails
- Text About an Unpaid Toll or Missed Package
- Email Saying Your Geek Squad, Norton or McAfee Plan Renewed
- Worried a Parent Is in an Online Romance Scam
- Parent’s Email Hacked and Sending Scams to Friends
Want us to just fix it?
Tell us what’s happening. Most problems like this are fixed remotely, often the same day, and every request gets a reply within one business day.
- Big projects and small ones are all welcome
- Fixed-price quotes, no surprise invoices
- You own your code, data and accounts
- A client portal to track progress, invoices and payments
- Rooted in Wisconsin, serving businesses nationwide
Rather talk it through? Call us