The big ideaNobody real asks you to pay in gift cards, so stop and tell a grown-up.
How it works
Here is the big idea: nobody real asks you to pay in gift cards. They are made for presents, not for paying bills or fixing tablets.
Scammers love them because the number on the back works like cash. Anyone who has the number can spend it straight away, and the money is very hard to get back.
Look for three signs: gift cards, a hurry ("within the hour") and a secret ("do not tell anyone"). A hurry stops you from asking, and a secret means no grown-up can say, wait.
A message can use a real name, but that does not make it real.
What to do.Scam, or real gift?
Example 1: Dad's message
A message says it is from Dad's boss: buy four gift cards, send the numbers, within the hour, tell no one.
Dara spots gift cards, a hurry and a secret, and says, "Dad, wait."
Dad buys nothing and calls his boss on his usual number. She sent no message.
Example 2: Femi's pop-up
A box on Femi's tablet says to call a number and pay with gift cards, with a timer and "do not tell your family."
Dara sees the same three signs.
They show a grown-up, and nobody uses the number in the box.
The same three signs.
Example 3: Gran's present
Gran gives Dara a book gift card in an envelope, in person.
There is no hurry and no secret.
That is a real gift, and Dara can choose her own books.
Words to know
gift card
A card made to be given as a present.
scam
A trick to get your money.
a hurry
Words that push you to act before you can ask.
Watch out
Never read out the numbers on the back of a card.
Do not reply or call the number in the message. A grown-up can find the real one.
A timer that says act now is a hurry too.
Grown-ups get fooled too, so nobody is in trouble. This trick fools lots of grown-ups.
Try it
A message wants gift cards within the hour and says tell no one. What are the three signs?
Why do scammers like gift cards?
Gran hands you a gift card in person. Is that a scam?
How do you check the real way?
Answers: 1. Gift cards, a hurry and a secret · 2. The number on the back works like cash · 3. No, it is a real gift · 4. Call a number you already know
Try at homeAsk a grown-up what your family would do if a message asked for gift cards. Make a plan together.
For grown-upsMake a plan together: what your family would do if a message asked for gift cards. Practice saying wait.
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