The rise of online shopping has made Amazon gift cards an increasingly attractive target for scammers. These bad actors have mastered the art of manipulating victims through Amazon gift card email scams, using malicious social engineering tactics to separate people from their money. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans lost $217 million to gift card scams in 2023. In a separate FTC study, 35% of victims stated that the impersonator claimed to be Amazon, making the shopping giant one of the most impersonated businesses in America.
What Do Amazon Gift Card Scams Look Like?
Just like digital piracy and holiday scams, Amazon gift card scams rapidly change and evolve, making them more sophisticated and harder to detect. These deceptive schemes often begin with seemingly innocent messages that can catch even tech-savvy individuals off guard. Scammers carefully craft their strategy to exploit basic human psychology and create situations that feel legitimate.
Of course, the reality is they are designed to steal money, specifically through gift card purchases. Whether through impersonation scams, romance scams, or fake promotions, the end goal is to get the user to read off or otherwise divulge the gift card’s number so the fraudster can drain it of its funds.
Impersonation Scams
In impersonation scams, fraudsters pose as authority figures or trusted entities to manipulate victims. They might claim to be Amazon customer support representatives, government officials, or law enforcement officers. The scammer typically alleges there’s an issue with your Amazon or Amazon Prime Video streaming account or a legal matter requiring immediate attention. They then direct you to purchase Amazon gift cards as a form of payment or authentication, often claiming this process will help resolve the supposed problem. Once the victim does so and reveals the card number, the fraudster will take the money.
Romance Scams
Romance scams are some of the most heartbreaking gift card fraud cases. This grotesque manipulation also goes by a darker name: pig butchering scams.
In either case, scammers build emotional connections with victims through dating sites or social media platforms, spending weeks or months developing trust. They may even move from DMs to phone calls, especially since hearing someone’s voice can be disarming and remove any reservations the victim has. Once they’ve established a relationship, they often manufacture emergencies requiring financial assistance, specifically requesting Amazon gift cards because they’re “fast” and “convenient.”
These tactics prey on victims’ emotions and altruistic desire to help. The more time and personal care the fraudster invests initially, the bigger the payout they can exploit.
Fake Prize Promotions and Sweepstakes Scams
Fake sweepstakes begin with exciting news: The fraudster convinces you that you’ve won a prize. But there’s a catch. You need to pay processing fees or taxes upfront using Amazon gift cards. Scammers often create authentic-looking emails or websites mimicking legitimate companies, complete with professional graphics and convincing language. They might even reference real sweepstakes or use the names of known organizations to add credibility to their schemes. Once you enter the gift card to pay the fees, though, the sweepstake will vanish and the prize with it.
Fake Tech Support Scams
In tech support scams, the bad actors contact victims claiming to be from Amazon’s technical support team or another reputable tech company. They alert the victim to supposed security issues, unauthorized purchases, or account compromises. To “fix” these problems, they request remote access to the victim’s computer and eventually ask for payment via Amazon gift cards, often claiming this method will expedite the resolution process.
Common Signs of Amazon Gift Card Scams
Understanding the warning signs of gift card scams can help you avoid becoming a victim. Here are clear indicators that should raise red flags:
- Anyone requesting payment specifically through Amazon gift cards
- Pressure to act quickly or claims of dire consequences for delays
- Requests to share gift card numbers and PINs over phone or email
- Unsolicited messages about prizes or account problems
- Poor grammar, spelling errors, or generic greetings
- Claims you cannot use other payment methods
- Requests to purchase multiple gift cards
- Instructions to keep the transaction secret
- Promises of large returns for small gift card payments
What To Do if You Encounter an Amazon Gift Card Scam
If you encounter or fall victim to an Amazon gift card scam, taking quick action is essential. First, stop all communication with the scammer immediately. Never share gift card numbers or PINs, even if you’ve already purchased the cards. Report the scam to Amazon’s customer service department and file a complaint with the FTC.
Contact your bank or credit card company if you used a debit or credit card to purchase gift cards for scammers. While Amazon gift cards are nonrefundable, your financial institution might offer some protection or guidance. Save all communication records, including emails, text messages, and call logs, as these may help authorities track down the perpetrators.
How To Protect Yourself
Prevention remains the best defense against gift card scams. StreamSafely is committed to your online security, and our team has outlined a strategy to help ensure you’re as protected as possible:
- Never use gift cards for payments outside of standard retail purchases
- Double-check any communication claiming to be from Amazon through official channels
- Keep gift card numbers and PINs private — treat them just like credit card information
- Do not give out your phone number over DM or email
- Be skeptical of unexpected prizes, free giveaways, or urgent payment demands
- Research unfamiliar contacts and suspicious emails thoroughly
- Document all suspicious interactions
- Trust your instincts if something feels wrong
Resources About Gift Card Scams
For more information about gift card scams, Amazon maintains a fraud identification page with updated information about current scams and how to report a scam. We also encourage you to visit the FTC’s Consumer Information website, which offers detailed guidance about gift card scams and consumer rights.
Find More Resources To Protect Yourself With StreamSafely
We at StreamSafely offer extensive resources to help consumers recognize and avoid various types of online fraud, including phishing, holiday scams, and pirated streaming sites. Our team regularly updates our website with information about emerging scams, detailed guides for safe online shopping, and tips to verify legitimate sellers, streaming services, and promotions.
By staying educated about these scams and sharing knowledge with others, we can work together to reduce the impact of gift card fraud and protect ourselves and our family members from these malicious schemes. Remember to turn to StreamSafely for the latest updates on protecting yourself from online fraud and scams.
