We want to make sure you are aware of common scams that may include asking for payment using gift card brands sold on CardCash.com or the CardCash Mobile App.
While the specifics of the scams vary, scammers generally follow a common pattern: they connect with a victim by phone, email, through social media, or online; they create a sense of urgency (for example: by offering a great price or mentioning a personal hardship or emergency); they ask for payment using gift cards; and they instruct the victim to purchase gift cards on CardCash.com, the CardCash Mobile App, or at a nearby store. The scammer then demands or instructs the victim to provide the claim code on the gift card by phone, text message, or email - and then disappears.
Here are a few reminders to help stay safe online:
Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which handles complaints about deceptive or unfair business practices. To learn more about common gift card scams, visit FTC.gov/giftcards. To file a complaint, visit https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/, call 1-877-FTC-HELP, or write to: Federal Trade Commission, CRC-240, Washington, D.C. 20580 If your complaint is against a company in a country other than the United States, or you want to find information on where to report in locations outside the United States, visit https://www.econsumer.gov/. If you believe you have fallen victim to or been exposed to a scam, contact the FTC and reach out to the CardCash Support Team.
COVID-19 Scams - You receive an unexpected/unsolicited email or text message from your boss, pastor, professor or a leader in an organization you are involved in requesting that you purchase gift cards on CardCash.com and send the cards or the claim codes to a specific person to assist in COVID-19 treatments or efforts. We suggest you immediately try to contact the person requesting the Gift Cards directly using a phone number/email that you know is theirs. Always be suspicious of anyone who contacts you and demands money quickly.
Social Security or Identity Theft Scams - You receive an unexpected phone call or unsolicited email about a “problem” with your Social Security number, account, or benefits that you need to resolve immediately, or you will face arrest or other legal action. Or, the scammer says you have to make a payment to receive assistance for an identity theft issue or in exchange for a Social Security benefit increase. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration—or any other government agency—and they want you to pay a fine or fee using gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, cash, or internet currency, it is a scam. Hang up and report it to the Social Security Office of the Inspector General online at https://oig.ssa.gov
Fake Online Listings Scam - You find an item advertised online such as concert or event tickets, a vehicle, pet, or rental property and are instructed to make a payment by purchasing gift cards on CardCash.com, and providing your codes via email or phone. The item is often priced far below market value and the seller may claim they need to sell the item quickly because of a life event that creates a sense of urgency, such as moving, divorce, death of a loved one, or military deployment. The scammer also may claim that following a payment for the goods, you will receive the item and may even send a fake receipt.
Boss Scams - You receive an unexpected/unsolicited email or text message from your boss or a leader in an organization you are involved in requesting that you purchase gift cards on CardCash.com and send the cards or the claim codes to that person. Typically, the message will say that the gift cards will be used for some purpose within the company (e.g., employee incentives, client appreciation, charitable donations). The scammer may claim they are out of town, in a conference call, or otherwise engaged and that is why they need you to make the purchase for them. We suggest you immediately try to contact your boss or the leaders of your organization directly using a phone number/email that you know is theirs. Always be suspicious of anyone who contacts you and demands money quickly.
Unsolicited phone calls - You get a phone call with the caller ID of someone you know, or a company you are familiar with. Scammers using fake caller ID information to trick you into thinking they're someone who can be trusted iis called “caller ID spoofing,” and scammers can fake anyone's phone number. You may receive an unsolicited call from someone stating they are a member of Amazon Customer Service. They may say your account is frozen and you need to purchase branded gift cards on CardCash.com or the CardCash Mobile App and provide the claim codes over the phone in order to remove the freeze on your account. Other things they might ask for are your CardCash.com password, full credit card ID or bank account number.
Family emergency scams - You receive an unexpected phone call or unsolicited email from an individual claiming to be a lawyer, law enforcement agent, hospital employee, or other representative for a family member in distress who needs your immediate financial help. Some callers may even try to impersonate your family member or friend. You may be instructed to purchase gift cards on CardCash.com, the CardCash Mobile App, or gift card brands sold elsewhere to resolve the situation.
We suggest trying to immediately contact your family member directly using a phone number that you know is theirs, or contact another relative who can assist you. Always be suspicious of anyone who contacts you and demands money quickly.
Unpaid debt and tax scams - You receive an unexpected phone call or unsolicited email to make a payment for taxes, fines, bail money, utility bills, or other unexpected fees. The scammer may claim you owe a past due amount as a result of miscalculation of your taxes; or the scammer may claim that you are owed a tax refund, prize, or rebate but must first make a payment for administrative fees with a gift card. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, you should never give out personal information. Report the call to the IRS using their "IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting" web page or by calling the IRS at 800-366-4484.