🚨 Beware of Gift Card Scams – Don’t Get Caught Out! 🎁❌

North East Crime Reduction Team would like to talk about Gift Card Scams as Police Scotland continue to see members of the public fall victim to such scams.

Here’s how they work and how to stay safe:

🕵️ How the Scam Works:

• You get a call, text, email, or message from someone pretending to be your boss, a loved one, or even a government agency.
• They say there’s an urgent situation—maybe a surprise gift, a tax issue, or a family emergency.
• They ask you to buy gift cards (like Amazon, Google Play, Apple, etc.) and send them the codes on the back.
• Once they have those codes, they cash in—and your money is gone.

🚫 Red Flags to Watch For:

• Requests for gift cards as payment or favours—especially with urgency.
• Anyone asking you to keep it a secret.
• Messages riddled with typos or strange phrasing.
• Contact that seems out of character—like your boss texting from a random number.

✅ How to Stay Safe:

• Never send gift card codes to anyone you don’t know personally or haven’t verified.
• If you get a suspicious message, call the real person directly using their known number.
• Talk to friends and family—especially older relatives—so everyone knows what to look out for.

If you have fallen victim to this type of scam or any scam, contact 101.

🛡️ Let’s keep our community one step ahead of the scammers. Feel free to share this post to help spread the word!

More information about frauds & scams – www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/scams-and-frauds/

#NorthEastCrimeReduction
 

This messaging system is not for reporting crime as responses are not monitored 24/7.  If you have time-critical information regarding the content of the above message, or if you wish to report any other non-urgent matter, please call 101.  In an emergency, call 999.

Police Scotland’s North East Division covers rural and urban areas in Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City.  The division has five territorial command areas which have their own dedicated Area Commander, who is responsible for the daily policing function.  Each command area is served by a number of community policing teams whose activities are built around the needs of the local community.  These teams respond to local calls and look for long term solutions to key issues.  They are assisted by the division’s Crime Reduction Unit who deliver against Force and local priorities in a number of areas, including physical and social crime prevention, supporting and enhancing community engagement and creating and sustaining strong and effective partnership working.