Gift Card Scams Making the Rounds this Holiday Season

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (WENY) -- Schuyler County officials are warning everyone, but especially seniors, about gift card scams making the rounds this holiday season everywhere, including in the Southern Tier. 

"The one that we're seeing most frequently is what we call the gift card scam, and so these predators contact vulnerable populations, generally seniors," says Jeremy Hourihan, Schuyler County Chief Assitant District Attorney. "They convince them that there is some urgency and some fear of an event that might happen."

Scammers commonly target older adults by using email or text messages pretending to be a government agency or a well-known company asking for compromising information.

The caller will do everything they can to convince seniors that there is some urgency or offer a reason to be afraid and they need to pay money to make it go away.

"The scammer will ask the target to purchase a gift card or more than one gift card," says Steven Getman, Schuyler County District Attorney. "Provide them the gift card number and the PIN number. Only scammers will tell you to buy a gift card and give them the numbers off the back of the card. No legitimate business or government agency will ever tell you to buy a gift card to pay them. "

The message from officials, be wary of anyone asking for personal information, especially if they call from a number you don't recognize. Scammers are always staying ahead of the curve, and they are believed to be using artificial intelligence (AI) to mask their voices. The caller will work diligently to convince the victim, that it is someone they know like a family member or close friend. 

One person was a victim of a scammer, and they were able to seek help from the Schuyler County Office of Aging in Montour Falls. The unnamed person was told they had an Amazon purchase that had not been paid, the debt was due, or else they would be arrested.

Schuyler County's Office of Aging summarized the issue to WENY News during an interview on Wednesday, November 20th. 

"Out of fear, this gentleman went to Walmart was instructed by this scammer to purchase Apple gift cards, try Walmart gift cards, and enlarge sums of money, $450 each, five cards," says Brooke Heichel, Case Manager for Schuyler County of Aging. "Thankfully, due to our diligent employees at our Watkins Glen Walmart, they questioned these transactions and did refuse to allow it to happen."

Schuyler County officials are encouraging everyone with one simple message, if you think you have been a victim of a scammer or threatened by one, immediately report it to your local authorities.

A recap and tips/tricks can be found below from Schuyler County Officials:

• Gift card scams start with a call, text, email, or social media message. Scammers will say almost anything to get you to buy gift cards - like Google Play, Apple, or Amazon Cards - and hand over the card number and PIN codes.
• Scammers will say it's urgent. They will say to pay them right away or something terrible will happen. They don't want you to have time to think about what they're saying or talk to someone you trust.
• Scammers will tell you which gift card to buy (and where.) They might say to put money on an eBay, Google Play, Target, or Apple Gift Card. They might send you to a specific store - such as Walmart, CVS, or other chain stores. Sometimes they'll tell you to buy cards at several stores, so cashiers won't get suspicious. The scammer also might stay on the phone with you while you go to the store and load money onto the card. Hang up immediately.
• Scammers will ask you for the gift card number and PIN. The card number and PIN on the back of the card let the scammer get the money you loaded onto the card - even if you still have the card itself. Don't give them those numbers or send them a photo of the card.

Complaints can be filed with your local law enforcement or the New York State Consumer Frauds Bureau by calling (800) 771-7755.