Avoiding Target gift card scams: What you need to know

Target gift card scams take multiple forms, from tampered gift cards secretly drained upon loading the card to fake “government agents” pressuring you to pay them via gift cards. In many cases, recovering lost funds is very difficult, as gift card transactions are rarely refundable.

The good news is that most Target gift card scams are easy to avoid once you understand how they work. This guide breaks down the most common schemes and outlines practical steps you can take to protect yourself from fraud.

What are Target gift card scams?

Target gift card scams are fraud schemes in which scammers trick you into buying Target gift cards and sharing the card details as a form of payment. Once a scammer has the gift card number and PIN, they can quickly drain the balance, leaving you with little to no chance of recovering the money.

Why scammers target gift cards

Gift cards are attractive to scammers because they offer speed, anonymity, and convenience. Unlike credit cards or bank transfers, gift card payments are difficult to trace and almost impossible to reverse once the funds are used.

Scammers also know that many people view gift cards as harmless or low-risk purchases. This false sense of security makes it easier for criminals to pressure you into acting quickly, especially when they introduce threats, deadlines, or urgent payment demands.

Why Target gift cards are a popular choice for fraud

Target is one of the largest and most recognizable retailers in the U.S., with thousands of stores and a strong online presence. That makes Target gift cards easy to buy quickly, which is exactly what scammers want when pushing someone to act without stopping to verify the request. According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Target gift cards are the most popular choice for scammers.

How Target gift card scams work

Scammers use a range of tactics to get you to buy gift cards or steal card details, then drain the balance before you realize what’s happened.

Social engineering scams and impersonation

Many criminals obtain Target gift cards through social engineering. These scams begin with a call, text, or email from someone claiming to be:

• Target customer support, saying there’s a problem with your account or a fraudulent charge that needs to be resolved.
• A government agency, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or law enforcement, claiming you owe taxes, fines, or fees and threatening legal action.
• Tech support, warning that your computer or account is compromised and charging a fake fee to “fix” the problem.
• A company or service provider, claiming a missed payment or account issue that requires immediate attention.

In each case, the scammer asks you to buy a Target gift card for a specific amount and share the card numbers and PINs by phone, text, or email. To prevent you from verifying the request, they may stay on the line while you purchase the cards, tell you to visit multiple stores, and warn you not to tell anyone what the cards are for.

Once the gift card details are shared, the scammer can quickly spend or resell the balance. Legitimate organizations do not accept gift cards as payment, and Target will never ask you to pay this way.

In-store gift card tampering

In some Target stores, scammers can tamper with physical Target gift cards on display racks. They can remove cards, copy the card numbers and PINs hidden under the scratch-off area and then put the cards back so they appear unused. When you later buy one of these Target gift cards and load money onto it at checkout, the card is activated, and the scammer already has the details. They can spend the balance almost immediately, often before you leave the store.

Several states, such as Maryland, have responded by requiring warning signs and secure packaging on gift‑card displays to make tampering more difficult, as well as employee training on gift-card fraud and fraud prevention. However, this hasn’t fully mitigated the threat. Because any tampering can indicate fraud, you should check every gift card you buy.

Fake gift card balance check websites

Another tactic scammers often use involves fraudulent websites that appear to let you check a gift card’s balance. When you enter your card number and PIN to see your balance, the site harvests the card's information and drains its funds, similarly to malicious websites that capture credit card information.

These false sites mimic legitimate retailers or Target gift card issuers, and are typically advertised by scammers through social engineering emails, making them difficult to distinguish at a glance.

Real examples of Target gift card scams

Case studies illustrate both the techniques scammers use and the toll it takes on victims. Below are three real-world examples of Target gift card scams.

“Loved one in trouble” scam

In one reported case from Cincinnati, a 79-year-old woman received a phone call claiming that her grandson had been arrested and urgently needed bail money. The caller instructed her to buy two $500 Target gift cards and provide the card numbers as payment.

While she was at a Target store, a fellow shopper and a store employee noticed her distress and asked about the purchase. After hearing her explanation, they recognized the situation as a scam and intervened before she shared the gift card details, preventing a $1,000 loss.

IRS or government threat scam

Government impersonation scams often rely on fear of law enforcement. In one case, a woman received a call from someone claiming to be an IRS agent. The caller said she owed back taxes and would be arrested if she didn’t pay immediately.

The scammer directed her to buy Target gift cards from multiple stores and read the card numbers over the phone. By the time the scam ended, she had purchased thousands of dollars’ worth of Target gift cards. The caller repeatedly threatened arrest if she stopped cooperating.

Tech support payment with gift cards

In a case from Gwinnett County, Georgia, a couple responded to a fake tech support message claiming they had been over-refunded and needed to return the money immediately to avoid police involvement.

When they called the number provided, scammers convinced them to purchase Target gift cards and share the card numbers as “repayment.” The couple lost more than $62,000, including over $30,000 in Target gift cards, wiping out their life savings

The emotional and financial impact on victims

Gift card activation fraud causes direct, measurable losses for individual victims. The FTC reports that consumers lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, and gift cards remain one of the most common payment methods used in impersonation scams.

Beyond financial damage, victims often report lasting psychological harm, including embarrassment, anger, and stress. Victims may isolate themselves or avoid sharing details out of embarrassment.

How to spot a Target gift card scam

Recognizing warning signs can prevent you from falling victim to gift‑card fraud.

Requests for payment in gift cards

No legitimate business, government agency, or law enforcement organization accepts gift cards as payment. If someone tells you that you must pay using Target gift cards, regardless of the reason, it’s a scam.

This includes callers claiming to be from the IRS, tech support, law enforcement, or even Target itself. If you’re told to buy gift cards and share the numbers or PINs, end the conversation. If you’re unsure whether a request is real, contact the organization directly using the official phone number listed on its website or your account statement.

Pressure to act immediately

Scammers rely on urgency to keep you from stopping to think. They may threaten arrest, claim your account will be suspended, or say a loved one is in danger if you don’t act right away. In other cases, the pressure sounds positive, such as a prize or sweepstakes that must be claimed immediately by providing Target gift card codes. Legitimate organizations don’t force instant payment or secrecy. If someone demands immediate action or discourages you from verifying the request, that’s a strong sign of a scam.

Unverified links or phone numbers

Scam messages often include links or phone numbers that lead to fake customer service lines or counterfeit gift card balance-check pages. These are designed to collect your gift card details or install malicious software on your device.

Only check Target gift card balances through Target’s official website or mobile app. If you receive a call, text, or email about a problem with your account, look up the company’s official contact information yourself instead of using the details provided in the message.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

If you believe you’ve been targeted by a Target gift card scam, acting quickly can help limit further losses.

• Report to the card issuer: Contact the Target gift‑card customer service department immediately and inform them you were scammed.
• Request a refund or recovery: Ask Target to reverse the transaction or reissue the funds if they were frozen. Not all companies will refund stolen funds, but acting quickly improves the chances.
• Report to authorities: File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Provide details of the scam to help with the investigation and detect future fraud patterns.
• Contact local law enforcement: Report the incident to your local police department, especially if large sums were involved or you feel threatened.
• Monitor financial accounts: Scammers may attempt additional fraud; if you gave them personal information, it could be an attack on your identity. Check your bank and credit‑card statements for unauthorized transactions and consider placing fraud alerts on your credit reports. Use identity monitoring software to help ensure your data doesn’t appear on the dark web or get used for further fraudulent activity.

How to protect yourself from Target gift card scams

Following secure gift card shopping tips can reduce your exposure to Target gift card scams and help you stay safe.

Buy gift cards only from trusted retailers

Purchase Target gift cards directly from Target stores or the official Target website. Keep a copy of the receipt just in case you need to report fraudulent activity and only purchase gift cards with trusted payment sources.

Inspect gift cards carefully before buying

Before purchasing a physical gift card, check the packaging closely. The card should be sealed and intact, with the barcode and PIN fully covered. Avoid cards with packaging that looks torn, resealed, scratched, bent, or otherwise damaged. Signs of tampering can include loose packaging, exposed codes, or mismatched seals. When possible, choose gift cards kept behind the counter or inside secure display cases rather than cards openly accessible on store racks.

Deliver gift cards securely

When giving a Target gift card to someone else, hand it to them directly or use Target’s official digital gift card delivery options. Avoid sending photos of physical gift cards or sharing codes through unsecured messages, which can be intercepted or misused.

Helping friends and family avoid gift card scams

Gift card scams affect people of all ages. Research from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) shows that while older adults may be more likely to be pressured into certain scams involving gift-card payments, younger people are frequently targeted through other tactics, such as purchasing already-drained cards. The same research indicates that scam exposure is widespread across age groups.

The most effective way to reduce gift card fraud is through awareness. Encourage friends and family members to verify payment requests independently, be skeptical of urgent demands, and ask store employees for help if something feels off when buying gift cards. A brief conversation can often be enough to prevent a costly mistake.