These are the two gift cards imposters like to ask for. Photo by: Nicole Martinez.

BY NICOLE MARTINEZ 
EL NUEVO SOL

When birthdays or holidays approach the easiest gift to pick up is a gift card. We save ourselves headaches of going to the mall and finding the perfect gift. However, gift cards can still cause a headache if you do not purchase it for the right person and reason.

Scammers are calling people on the phone and are telling them that they are in trouble, a loved one is harmed, or that they are the government. These impostors ask for money and require for the victim to purchase a gift card at well-known retails like Target, CVS, or Walmart.

Once the victim buys the gift card the scammer asks for the pin number on the back of the gift card. Those numbers give the scammer access to the money. When they cash out the money, it’s gone.

These scammers ask for specific gift card brands. According to the Federal Trade Commission, 43% reported that the most used gift card is iTunes. The second is google play with 18.3%. Just in this year, 53 million dollars have been lost to scammers.

Imposters like using this tactic because scammers want their money fast, it’s an irreversible transaction, the scammer stays anonymous and gift cards are easy to cash out.

So, what can you do if you receive one of these calls? Well first, if you are asked to pay with a gift card a red flag should immediately go up. Next, stop for a moment and contact someone to tell them what’s going on. If you already purchased the gift card and gave the scammer the pin, contact the company and notify them that the gift card was used in a scam. Sometimes, they can get your money back. Lastly and most importantly, call the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP.

While this is an increasing problem, victims are encouraged to make a report. You do not have to provide personal information and your report stays anonymous. Remember, gift cards are gifts and not a form of payment.