Gift card balance scams: Checking your card could make you lose it all (2024)

Gift card balance scams: What you need to know

Who doesn't love the simplicity and flexibility of gift cards? They embody the perfect blend of ease and freedom, making them a foolproof choice for gifting, especially as the holiday season approaches. I usually tell my friends and family to skip the holiday gift stress; and nudge them to get me a gift card from Amazon, Best Buy, or Barnes & Noble. This spares them the hassle of choosing a gift, and I get the freedom to pick exactly what I want from my favorite stores. Seems like a win-win situation, right? Well, in a perfect world, yes, but unfortunately, this idyllic scenario is overshadowed by a less cheerful reality, especially during the holidays. The holidays are a time when scammers are working overtime, and gift cards have become one of their favorite tools of deception.

Americans reported losing over 150 million due to gift card scams

In this article, we'll examine how scammers lure you into websites with fake URLs that aim to steal your gift card balance and personal information. As usual, we'll give you some essential tips on how to spot these scams and how Guardio can help you avoid them altogether. Because we aren’t going to let these cyber-grinches ruin our holiday cheer. Hold on for deer life 🦌 because this slay ride is going to be bumpy - Let's go!

Got a gift card? Hold on! Gift Card Balance Scams could empty it before you use it.

Gift card balance scams

Gift cards, which are essentially prepaid debit cards loaded with a set amount of money, offer a convenient alternative to cash for purchases at specific stores or affiliated businesses, making them a popular choice for gifts and incentives. In case you get a bunch of gift cards in your stocking and can't remember their balances, don't worry. As part of their customer service, many legitimate companies provide websites or phone lines to check the balances of these cards.

Notice we said “legitimate companies” because this system has a vulnerability: scammers have become increasingly skilled at creating deceptive balance-checking phishing sites with fake URLs. If you end up on one of these sites and enter your gift card number and PIN, you’re basically unknowingly giving scammers direct access to the funds on your card, leading to immediate financial loss.

This is how gift card balance scams work

Gift card balance scams are more common than you may think and are actually pretty easy to fall for - if you don’t have online security software like Guardio, that is. Even Google Ads fell for one of these scams, leading countless people to lose their gift card balance. Confused? We’ll explain.

Imagine getting a gift card to Target - yeyy, now, you can finally buy that Woodgrain Oil Diffuser you’ve dreamed about. But wait, what’s the balance on the card? Looking to check your card balance, you turn to Google, type in your search, and among the top results—endorsed by Google Ads, no less—is a link that seems perfectly legit. But here's the kicker: the whole thing is just a facade, a scam that even Google Ads failed to see through.

This true story of digital fraud was first brought to light by a keen-eyed Reddit user. They exposed a phishing website, a doppelgänger of Target’s official gift card balance page, complete with all the bells and whistles to make it look authentic. The only thing is, the site isn’t Target — it’s actually a fake URL dubbed “bristolhirevan.”

When you enter your gift card details on this fake site, you’re not just innocently checking your balance. Instead, you're inadvertently giving the scammer all they need to drain your gift card. They craft a clone of your card and transfer your balance, leaving you high and dry.

And it doesn't stop there. These fake sites are not just after your gift card balance; they're after your personal information too. As you fill out details on the counterfeit site, the scammer harvests your data. This can include login information for various sites and social media platforms, paving the way for account hijacking and identity theft.

The cyber grinch that stole Christmas

Google's example above shows how sneaky these gift card balance scams can be. But it’s not the only way scammers try to lure you into giving away your card balance and info. Here are some more examples of ways these scams can target you:

Phishing attacks: Scammers send bogus emails, seemingly from legitimate companies, asking you to verify your gift card balance by clicking on a provided link.

Fraudulent websites: Scammers create counterfeit websites with fake URLs mimicking those of real retailers, prompting you to enter your gift card details to check the balance.

Social media messages: You might receive unsolicited messages on social media platforms from fake profiles, offering to help check or increase your gift card balance.

Phone call scams: Scammers posing as customer service representatives from well-known companies call you, requesting gift card information under the guise of account verification.

Text scams (Smishing SMS Phishing): Scammers send text messages pretending to be from a trusted retailer or company, urging you to click on a link to verify or manage your gift card balance, which leads to a fraudulent website.

Side note, it’s always important to be wary of offers that seem too good to be true, like promises to double your gift card balance if you provide your card details. These offers are typically bait to entice you into divulging sensitive information, playing into the hands of scammers.

All I got for Christmas was a zero-balance gift card

Marcus a young college student and aspiring musician whose experience vividly illustrates the emotional impact of gift card balance scams. After the holiday season, Marcus, brimming with hope and excitement, clutched a gift card he received from his grandmother. It was no ordinary card; it was meant to purchase a new guitar pedal, a critical piece for his upcoming music audition — a dream close to his heart.

While browsing online to check his card balance, Marcus found a website claiming to offer a one-stop solution for multiple cards. The site was professionally designed and seemed like the real deal. In a moment of trust, he entered his gift card details, unknowingly stepping into a meticulously crafted trap.

The crushing blow came hours later when he discovered that not only were his gift cards completely drained, but his personal details were now floating in the treacherous waters of the internet, an open invitation for further abuse.

The experience, while unfortunate, wasn't just about financial loss for Marcus. It served as an eye-opener, teaching him the importance of being more cautious in the digital age. The guitar pedal, a symbol of his passion, may have been out of reach for the moment, but this incident instilled in him a more valuable lesson in online safety.If only Marcus had used online security software, he’d been joyfully strumming "Stairway to Heaven" on his guitar with his new pedal, his dreams and security intact.

Thankfully, Marcus has since discovered Guardio, a browser extension and mobile app that efficiently blocks fraudulent sites and alerts him to potential online scams. While the loss of his gift card balance was a setback, it paved the way for a more secure online presence. Now, with Guardio’s protection, Marcus confidently explores the web, armed with the knowledge and tools to keep his digital life safe. This practical solution not only safeguards his future online transactions but also restores his trust in the digital world.

In scenarios like Marus’, the importance of proactive digital defense becomes starkly clear. This is where Guardio steps in as a critical ally. As an effective online security tool, Guardio specializes in detecting and blocking phishing sites, the kind that lure unsuspecting victims like Marcus. By alerting users to potential threats, Guardio helps prevent the cascading effects of gift card scams, ensuring that your digital gifting experience remains secure and genuine.

How to avoid gift card balance scams

Navigating the perilous waters of gift card scams requires caution and informed decision making. Here are some steps to protect yourself and ensure your gift cards retain their intended value:

1. Contact stores/ vendors directly: Always check your gift card balances directly through the official websites or customer service of the issuing companies.

2. Don’t fall for misleading ads: Avoid clicking on suspicious ads or email links offering balance-checking services or unrealistic promises of increased card value.

3. Protect your personal information: Never share sensitive details like gift card PINs or personal information on unverified websites.

4. Use reliable security tools: Equip your browser with top-notch security solutions like Guardio to detect and prevent access to fraudulent websites.

Guardio is a leader in providing comprehensive security solutions:

• Browser extension and mobile app: Guardio offers seamless integration as both a browser extension and mobile app, ensuring consistent protection across various devices.

• Blocks hazardous websites: It proactively prevents access to websites notorious for hosting harmful content, thus diminishing the risk of gift card scams.

• Phishing/Smishing and scam alerts: Guardio is proactively secures users against phishing, smishing, and various scamming techniques, and promptly alerting you to impending dangers.

• Protection against account hijacking: Guardio provides strong defenses against unauthorized attempts to access your online accounts, keeping your personal and professional details secure.

• 24/7 security hotline: Users have round-the-clock access to a security hotline offering expert guidance for scam recovery and advice on handling identity theft. This service includes up to $1,000,000 in insurance coverage to assist with recovery costs.

• Trusted by over 1.5 million users: Guardio's reliability is underscored by its user base of over 1.5 million individuals, demonstrating its effectiveness in protecting computers, mobile devices, and users' online presence against gift card scams and other cyber threats.

In the digital realm, where gift card scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, tools like Guardio serve as your first line of defense. By staying aware and equipped with the right tools, you can ensure that your gift cards bring joy, not disappointment.

Beware of Gift Card Balance Scams! Before you check your balance, know the signs of deceit

Safe methods to check gift card balance

• Check your gift card balance directly from the website of the vendor or company. If they don't have an option, call or contact them via email to find out the best way to do this.

• Don't click on ads or email links informing you about your balance or pushing you to check all your gift cards in one place.

• Look out for false advertisem*nts of "doubling your balance amount" it's fake.

• Never give your gift card PIN or personal details to anyone.

• Browse with a protection tool that will detect when you are about to enter a fake website.

• Always check the URL of the website you are using. If you are checking your Amazon gift card balance, make sure the URL is amazon.com and not a phishing site.

The bottom line

Now that we've explored the dangerous world of gift card scams let's take a moment to reflect. We've charted the murky waters of digital deception, equipped you with essential strategies to shield your online transactions, and highlighted Guardio as a reliable ally in this journey. Keep informed, stay alert, and let sound security measures protect your digital life!

Don’t take it from us, take it from our users:

“I have been using Guardio for a while now, and it sits there looking over my shoulder to stop me from being scammed and or conned. The annual cost isn't exorbitant but, it is worth every penny.” EGP

“I've been using Guardio for over a year and I am very satisfied with its performance. Guardio protects my browser from malicious websites, phishing, and identity theft. It also blocks annoying ads and pop-ups that slow down my browsing experience. Guardio is easy to install and use, and it does not interfere with my other programs. It also has a friendly and helpful customer support team that responds quickly to any issues or questions. Guardio is one of the best security software I have used, and I highly recommend it to anyone who values their online safety and privacy.” Terence D.