What it looks like
"This is the IRS. You owe back taxes. To avoid arrest today, buy $500 in Apple gift cards and read me the numbers on the back."
An example. Real ones change their wording, amounts and names all the time.
How it works
Gift cards are popular with scammers because they work like cash. Once someone has the card number and PIN from the back, they can spend the money or sell it within minutes. They do not need the plastic card at all, only the numbers you read or the photo you send.
The gift card part comes at the end of a story. First someone says they are from the IRS, Social Security, your power company, Apple, or a grandchild in trouble. Then they say the only way to fix it is with gift cards. They may stay on the phone while you drive to the store, send you to several stores, and tell you what to say if the clerk asks questions.
Smart people get caught because the story at the start is so convincing. The payment method is the giveaway. No real office or company takes gift cards to pay a bill, a fine or a fee. Gift cards are for gifts. The moment anyone asks for them as payment, you know it is a scam.
Signs it is fake
- Any request to pay a bill, a fine or a fee with gift cards
- A request to read the numbers on the back of the card, or send a photo of them
- Instructions not to tell the store clerk why you are buying the cards
- No real government office, utility or company takes payment this way.
What to do
- Stop. Do not buy the cards.
- Hang up and talk to someone you trust.
- If a store clerk asks whether someone told you to buy the cards, tell them the truth. They are trained to help.
If you already clicked, called or paid
- Call the gift card company right away using the number on the card. They can sometimes freeze the money.
- Keep the cards and receipts.
- Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Being fooled is not your fault. These messages are made by professionals to look real. Acting quickly is what matters. See what to do if you paid a scammer.
Not sure about a message?
Forward it to Uncle at +1 208 214 0093, or send a screenshot. He tells you plainly what looks wrong. He never asks for passwords or codes, and he never texts first. How it works.
Worried about a parent? With the Family plan, you get a heads up when a likely scam reaches them.
More common scams
- Zelle and payment app scam
- Bitcoin ATM scam
- Gold bar courier scam
- Crypto investment scam
- See all common scams
Written by the Textuncle team. Last updated October 3, 2026.
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