BBB is often the first place people turn to when they have been victimized by a scam artist. We know one thing, scammers try a variety of payment methods to get people to turn over their hard earned money. First it was wire transfers and then it was prepaid debit cards. Their latest method? iTunes gift cards.
Scammers typically contact people through phone calls, text messages and emails. Some scammers pretend to be with the IRS demanding payment of taxes owed by making the payment with an iTunes gift card. Other scenarios involve asking people to pay advance fees with iTunes gift cards in order to get a loan. Sometimes scammers pose as a family member or online love interest who claim to be in an emergency situation and need help immediately.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, once you tell a scammer the code from the back of an iTunes gift card, he takes control of the value of the card. He can use the code or sell it. After a person redeems the code, you can’t get your money back.
To avoid getting scammed, BBB offers the following tips:
• Avoid sending money via an iTunes gift card for unusual requests. In addition, avoid making payments with other types of gift cards, including Amazon gift cards or other reloadable cards.
• Call Apple Support. If you think you may be a victim of this type of scam, call Apple Support right away and explain to them what happened. They may be able to disable the card.
• Never wire money. Scammers are known to ask for payment via wire transfer. Avoid wiring money to people you have never met. Once it’s sent, you will likely never see the money again.
Start With Trust®. For more tips and information, go to bbb.org. To report a scam, go to BBB Scam Tracker: bbb.org/scamtracker/.
~ Pam King is President/CEO BBB Serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming