When a friend asks for a favor, you may do it with no questions asked. Right? It may be time to rethink that policy.
In this new con, a scammer poses as a friend asking for a simple favor. The email is so convincing that BBB staff almost fell for it!
How this scam works
You get an email that appears to be from a friend or family member. The message looks harmless and casual òòò½ÊÓƵ” like something a friend might really write. For example, one version reads: òòò½ÊÓƵœHi, how are things going with you? Are you busy? I need a quick favor.òòò½ÊÓƵ The message even ends with òòò½ÊÓƵœSent from my iPhone.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Concerned about your friend, you reply and ask for more details. The òòò½ÊÓƵœfriendòòò½ÊÓƵ quickly responds that they are trying to buy a gift card for their nieceòòò½ÊÓƵ™s birthday. However, they are traveling and having trouble purchasing the card online. òòò½ÊÓƵœCould you get it from any local grocery store around you?òòò½ÊÓƵ reads the email. òòò½ÊÓƵœIòòò½ÊÓƵ™ll pay you back as soon as I am back.òòò½ÊÓƵ
The request sounds reasonable. But if you do buy the gift card, your òòò½ÊÓƵœfriendòòò½ÊÓƵ will ask you to share the cardòòò½ÊÓƵ™s PIN and/or send a photo of the back of the card. By doing this, you are essentially handing money to the scammer. It is nearly impossible to get the money back because gift cards do not have the same protections as credit or debit cards.
Protect yourself from this con
Reach out to your friend directly. If you get an unusual request, call or text your friend to confirm their story. No matter how harmless the story sounds, always double-check before sending someone money.
Use gift cards wisely. Never do business with anyone who insists on payment with gift cards. Remember, providing the numbers from the back of a gift card is just like sending cash.
For more information
Learn more about how scammers use gift cards in a recent BBB study at .
If you have spotted a scam (whether you have lost money or not), report it to . Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams.
Stay up on the latest scams by subscribing to BBB Scam Alerts emails at .
Visit or call 330-454-9401 to look up a business, file a complaint, write a customer review, read tips and more.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
