Gift Cards – Just Say No

JUST SAY NO 

While gift card scams are not exclusive to older adults, they are a common target.

So HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?

• A Shaker Heights woman, 76, was urged to purchase gift cards from various retailers.  The woman complied and bought $5,000 worth of gift cards before a Target employee alerted her to the fraud.
• A man reported that his father, a 78-year-old resident, had bought $100,000 worth of gift cards after receiving a message on his computer. He said his father believed his computer had been hacked and he provided the gift card numbers to an unknown person who said they could fix it.

There are many more examples and they want you to purchase gift cards to fix the problem.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

IF A STRANGER ASKS YOU TO BUY GIFT CARDS – JUST SAY NO

• HANG UP
• BLOCK THE NUMBER – If they continue to call you, contact the police.
• TELL A FAMILY MEMBER OR SOMEONE YOU TRUST
  • Never be embarrassed to ask a family member or someone you trust about someone asking you to buy gift cards.  Chances are they can help you with determining if there actually is an issue and how to address it.

*The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or substitute any professional, medical or legal advice.  CARE receives public and private funding.  Community Partnership on Aging serves as our fiscal sponsor.  CARE currently serves the cities of Cleveland Heights, Highland Heights, Lyndhurst, Maple Heights, Mayfield Heights, Mayfield Village, Richmond Heights, Solon, and South Euclid.