Gift cards are a scammer’s go-to. No reputable business takes gift cards to pay a bill.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — A Greensboro woman who got scammed out of $340. She thought she was paying a rental car bill with gift cards the “worker” told her to get. I hate it when the scammers win. The best way to stop them from winning— is for you to know the tip-offs.
DON’T MISS THIS: GIFT CARDS ARE NEVER A FORM OF PAYMENT FOR A BILL
“Gift cards are meant to be given as gifts, period. If someone says they want to be paid by gift cards, they are a scammer, regardless of the scenario,” said Lechelle Yates, Better Business Bureau.
Just to reinforce what Yates said, gift cards are for gifts only. You never use a gift card to pay a bill. The IRS, the power company, and your doctor’s office don’t accept gift cards as payment.
WHY USING YOUR CREDIT CARD IS YOUR BEST PROTECTION
The local woman who was scammed out of $340 told me she hesitates to use her credit card because she’s afraid a scammer will get the number.
With credit cards, federal law limits your liability for any fraudulent charges to just fifty dollars. If someone besides you is racking up those charges, typically the expenses can be credited back to your account almost immediately after they’re discovered.
There is a BIG difference between your credit card and a debit card that you use as a credit card. Anytime you use a debit card you are using money from your bank account. That money is harder to be refunded back to your account.
