Common Gift Card Scams

There are a variety of scams that ask people to make payments by email, phone, or text for items or services. Fraudsters use many methods to conduct scams, including requesting gift cards from well-known brands. We want to ensure that our customers are aware of scams that may request payment using ��غ��.co.uk Gift Cards.

Has someone ever asked you to buy a gift card to pay them? Don't do it. It's very likely to be a scam. Legitimate individuals and businesses won't ever ask for payment through ��غ�� gift cards.

��غ�� Gift Cards can only be used for purchases online at ��غ��.co.uk. Only purchase ��غ�� Gift Cards on our website and from authorised retailers. To view a list of authorised retailers, go to Buying ��غ��.co.uk gift cards at a store.

How do I identify a gift card scam?
How do I prevent a gift card scam?
Common scams that may involve gift cards
How do I report a fraud or scam?

How do I identify a gift card scam?

Scams that ask for payment through gift cards generally:

make contact by phone, email, through social media or online.
create a sense of urgency (by offering a great price, mentioning a personal hardship/emergency or threatening consequences).
ask for payment using gift cards.
instruct the victim to buy gift cards online or at a nearby store.
demand or instruct the victim to provide the claim code and/or photographs of the physical gift card, then disappear.

How do I prevent a gift card scam?

Do not pay people or businesses with gift cards.

Never use ��غ�� gift cards for payment outside of ��غ�� or its affiliates. ��غ�� gift cards can only be used for purchases online at ��غ��.co.uk

Do not share gift cards details with someone that you don't know or trust . Once a scammer receives a gift card claim code, they'll most likely have spent the funds before you've contacted law enforcement or ��غ��.

Do not use an ��غ�� gift card to pay for anything over the phone or email. This includes bills or services (for example, TV, utilities, legal services, taxes).

Do not use an ��غ�� gift card in connection with claiming lottery or prize winnings. Similarly, don't use them on the promise of receiving a large amount of money, a guaranteed credit card, or loan.

Common scams that may involve gift cards:

Boss Scams: A scammer poses as a leader from your company, asking you to purchase gift cards on their behalf. Confirm the legitimacy of any such requests directly with the leader via a different communication method.
Family Emergency Scams: A scammer poses as an authority asking for money, claiming there's a family emergency. Confirm the emergency with a family member first, before continuing.
Blackmail/Romance Scams: A scammer threatens to share private or sensitive information, unless you purchase gift cards for them.
Fake ��غ�� Customer Service Scams: A scammer poses as a Customer Service agent claiming that you must buy a gift card and/or provide your personal details, to unfreeze your ��غ�� account. ��غ�� will never call you to request sensitive information, or ask you to purchase gift cards.
Tech Scam: A scammer claims they've found a tech issue with your device. They ask you to install software, or an app, so they can process a bogus refund for you. ��غ�� will never call you to ask for a service payment via gift cards.
Email, text, or fake survey scams: Surveys asking for personal or banking details, in return for a gift card. Genuine third-party surveys authorised to distribute gift cards in return for completed surveys will never ask for sensitive personal information. You can find tips on verifying ��غ�� communications via the Communications from ��غ��.co.uk Help page .
Fake Online Listings Scam: A scammer offers a bargain-priced listing, asking you to provide your claim codes as payment, via email or phone. Payment outside ��غ�� is always a scam.
Job Offer Scam: You receive an ��غ�� job offer, and are instructed to pay for a job starter kit using ��غ�� gift cards. ��غ�� job opportunities don't involve paying fees.