Police Scotland has issued advice to the public in relation to gift card fraud.
Officers say that if you are buying a gift card for anyone other than a person you know, it could be a scam.
Typically, victims receive a call, text or email demanding an urgent payment by purchasing gift cards. Fraudsters may claim to represent organisations or even employers.
Following the purchase, the victim is asked to provide the gift card code to the fraudster who does not require to have physical control over the card/voucher.
Employees may also receive urgent emails purporting to be from management asking them to purchase gift cards on their behalf. A legitimate employer will not ask you to handle company business through gift card purchases.
• No reputable organisation would ask for payment using vouchers or gift cards.
• Do not reveal the vouchers codes to anyone.
• If an offer sounds too good to be true – it probably is! Even if it’s from an organisation you know and trust.
• Don’t follow links in text messages or phone any numbers provided within the message.
• No bank, utility company or government agency; such as the Police, NHS or HMRC will ever ask you to purchase gift cards or make immediate payment over the phone or electronically;
STOP AND THINK BEFORE PARTING WITH YOUR MONEY, IT’S OK TO REJECT, REFUSE OR IGNORE ANY REQUESTS.
ONLY CRIMINALS WILL TRY TO RUSH OR PANIC YOU!
Sign up to the Trading Standards Scotland Scam Share Bulletin to keep up to date with the latest phone, email, doorstep and online scams affecting Scottish consumers –
For more information on scams and frauds, please visit the Police Scotland website.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
