Scam library
Gift card scams at work: the boss who needs gift cards
A quiet, urgent favour from someone senior. Keep it between you two.
Short answer
A gift card scam has someone pose as a manager or executive and ask an employee to quietly buy gift cards and send the codes, which can't be traced or refunded.
How it works
It starts small: "Are you at your desk?" from someone senior. Once you reply, the ask arrives. They need gift cards for a client or a staff thank-you, they're in a meeting and can't talk, so can you buy them and send the codes?
Gift cards are a scammer's favourite because once the codes are shared, the money is gone and can't be traced or refunded.
The message often comes from a personal email or an unknown number, with a reason why. The pressure is friendly but firm, and the secrecy is part of the plan.
The simple truth
No real manager needs gift card codes sent over email or text. Ever.
Red flags
- Someone senior asks for gift cards, and for the codes by message.
- It comes from a personal email or new number, with a reason why.
- They're too busy to talk, so you can't easily check.
- They ask you to keep it quiet or make it a surprise.
What to do
Check with the person directly using a number or channel you already have, not by replying. A real request survives a 30 second phone call.
This page is taken from the 3 minute NetMinder lesson staff see straight after clicking a practice email about this scam.