Google has issued a warning to its billions of users about a massive gift card scam that could cost victims thousands of dollars.
Google users are urged to remain vigilant and take several precautions to avoid falling victim to the scheme.
Google Play Gift Card Scams
On the Google Play Help support page, the company disclosed that fraudsters frequently attempt to dupe customers into handing over Google Play gift cards.
Google explained that, while the amount can vary depending on the scheme, gift cards are frequently requested as an intimidation tactic. In the majority of cases, scammers will call claiming you owe money for taxes, bail money, debt collection, and other reasons.
Then they will inform you that you must pay them with gift cards in order to avoid being arrested, having your SSN revoked, or having your possessions seized. Because Google Play gift cards can only be used in the Google Play store, anyone receiving a message similar to this should immediately be suspicious.
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Why Gift Card Codes Are A Target For Scammers
Google has explained that these gift cards cannot be used for anything outside of the Google Play Store, including taxes, concert tickets, or bail money.
To avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime, the technology company advises users to never provide gift cards or gift card codes to strangers.
Google warns that once a fraudster obtains your codes, they are likely to spend the funds on the card immediately.
Due to the fact that Google Play gift cards cannot be redeemed for cash, reloaded, or refunded, it may be exceedingly difficult to retrieve lost funds.
Google nonetheless requests as much information as possible from all scam victims in order to investigate.
In addition, Google urges all potential victims to report the scam to local authorities, the Federal Trade Commission, and Google itself.
Users need only click a blue button on the support page in order to report an issue to Google.
Clicking it will send a fraud alert to Google about your gift card.
Users are given the option to chat or send an email regarding the issue upon clicking it.
Users will be required to provide an abundance of information, including information about a gift card they may have inadvertently purchased for a con artist.
When reporting fraud, the reporter must also be a victim of the scheme. To report the incident, a Google Account is not required. Utilize this form rather than the button.
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