The message usually arrives when you’re busy. A quick email. A casual text. Sometimes it even looks urgent — “Hey, are you free? I need a favor.”
Related Page: The Top Scams and Fraud Threats to Watch for in 2026 (and How to Protect Yourself)
And just like that, thousands of dollars can disappear in minutes.
Gift card scams impersonating bosses, coworkers, and business leaders are one of the fastest-growing fraud tactics in the U.S. They don’t rely on sophisticated hacking. They rely on trust, urgency, and the fact that most of us want to be helpful.
At our community bank, we see the fallout far too often. Let’s talk about how these scams work, how to spot the red flags, and what to do if you—or someone you work with—gets targeted.
The scam is simple. And that’s why it works.
A fraudster pretends to be your boss, company owner, or senior leader. They reach out via email, text message, or even social media. The request sounds reasonable at first—until it isn’t.
Once those numbers are sent, the money is gone. Gift cards are essentially cash, and they’re nearly impossible to recover.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost hundreds of millions of dollars to gift card scams in recent years—more than any other payment method used by fraudsters.
Gift card scams aren’t random. They’re carefully engineered.
Scammers often gather information from LinkedIn, company websites, and social media. They know who reports to whom. They know names, titles, even vacation schedules.
When a request comes from “your boss,” your guard drops.
Phrases like “I need this ASAP” or “Please don’t call—I’m in a meeting” are designed to stop you from verifying the request.
Urgency is the scammer’s best friend.
Real businesses don’t pay vendors, clients, or employees with gift cards. Ever. That alone should raise a red flag.
If you see any of these signs, stop immediately.
No legitimate employer will ask you to:
Scammers often say things like:
Silence benefits them—not you.
Pause. That’s the most important step.
Call your boss directly. Walk down the hall. Send a new email—not a reply—to a known address. If it’s real, they’ll appreciate you checking.
Even if you’re unsure, don’t proceed. Once purchased, the funds are almost always unrecoverable.
Let your company’s IT or HR team know. You might not be the only one being targeted.
Act fast. Minutes matter.
Fraud prevention isn’t just personal—it’s organizational.
Make it explicit: no gift cards, no exceptions.
Short reminders go a long way. Especially for new hires.
No one should feel awkward double-checking a request involving money. Ever.
The FTC offers excellent workplace resources, including scam alerts and prevention guides, at consumer.ftc.gov.
Scams don’t just impact individuals. They affect workplaces, families, and entire communities.
At a community bank, we don’t just process transactions—we see patterns. We hear the stories. And we believe education is one of the strongest tools we have to protect our neighbors.
If this article helps one person pause before buying a stack of gift cards, it’s worth it.
If you ever receive a request that doesn’t feel right, call us. Stop by. Ask the question. We’re here to help you protect what you’ve worked hard for—and to keep our community informed, alert, and connected.
That’s what neighbors do.