Home / Holiday scams and stolen packages / Questions

Why shouldn’t I pay with gift cards?

Short answer

Gift card payments are hard to trace and nearly impossible to get back. Real businesses don’t demand them.

Rules differ by state. This is general information, not legal or professional advice.

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Official sources

FTC consumer advice: online shoppingconsumer.ftc.gov
ReportFraud.ftc.govreportfraud.ftc.gov
USPS Postal Inspection Service: mail theftuspis.gov