Gift cards are one of the clearest scam signals in everyday life. FTC and AARP materials both hammer the same point: only scammers demand gift cards to solve an urgent money problem.

A scammer may claim to be:

• the government
• your bank
• a tech company
• a utility company
• a family member in trouble

The story changes. The payment method does not.

Why gift cards work for scammers:

• they feel familiar and easy to buy
• the codes can be read over the phone or texted
• once the code is used, the money is often gone

A quick example: someone says your Social Security number is involved in a crime and the only safe step is to buy gift cards and read the numbers over the phone. You do not need to debate the story. The gift-card request settles it.

Cross-level note: Level 1 taught you that government threats and secrecy are scam signs. Here you learn the stronger rule: if the fix involves gift cards, stop immediately.

What to do:

• Never use gift cards to pay a bill, fee, fine, or emergency request.
• If you already bought the cards, contact the card company immediately and keep the receipt.
• Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

This lesson is part of Spot the Scam from Lumoset Foundation, Fort Wayne, Indiana – free, always, with no account and no catch.