About Gift Card Scams

Be aware of scams involving Apple gift cards.

Apple gift cards can be used only for purchases from Apple

Apple gift cards can be used only to purchase products and services from Apple. If someone asks you to use Apple gift cards to purchase something not sold by Apple, you might be the target of a scam.

Examples of items that can’t be paid for with Apple gift cards:

• Bills (utilities, debt collection, hospital, etc.)

• Government agency fees (taxes, immigration, social security, etc.)

Learn more about the different types of gift cards sold by Apple and what they can be used to purchase

Don’t share redemption codes with strangers

Do not provide the numbers on the back of a gift card to someone you don’t know well or haven’t met. Once those numbers are obtained by scammers, the funds on the card might be spent before you’re able to contact law enforcement or Apple Support.

Gift card scams follow a pattern

Regardless of the reason the scammer gives you for payment, scammers might try to build trust, show romantic interest, pressure, or deceive you.

Scams often follow a pattern:

• Contact via call, text message, email, or social media

• Create a sense of panic and urgency

• Request payments, financial assistance, or a gift using gift cards

• Guide you through gift card purchase process using precise instructions

• Demand gift card redemption code(s)

More information for customers in the United States

• AARP Scam Alert: Gift Card Scams.

• FTC: Avoiding and Reporting Gift Card Scams. You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission.

• IRS: Gift cards are never used to make tax payments.

• Apple Support: Identify legitimate emails from the App Store or iTunes Store.

• Apple Support: Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams.

Contact Apple Support

If you have additional questions, or if you believe you're the victim of a scam involving Apple gift cards, contact Apple Support online.

You can also call Apple at 800-275-2273 (U.S.) and say "gift cards" when prompted.