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Something already happened

I sent gift card numbers to a scammer.

Short answer

What to do right now

Keep the cards and receipts. Contact each gift card company immediately through the route printed on the card or its official website, report scam use, and ask whether any funds can be frozen or returned.

Immediate actions

Contact each gift card issuer now.

  1. Keep the physical cards and receipts.

  2. Contact each issuing company using the route on the card or its official website.

  3. Say the card was used in a scam and ask whether remaining value can be frozen or funds returned.

  4. After contacting the issuer, report what happened at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Do not

Avoid making the situation harder.

  • Do not send more cards to correct or release the first payment.
  • Do not post card numbers or PINs when asking others for help.
  • Do not pay an unexpected recovery service.

Records and reporting

Keep the details you already have.

Keep the cards, receipts, amounts, store locations, dates, messages, and any issuer case numbers.

If something else happened too

Source notes

Official guidance behind these steps

Plainly Living uses the scope and exceptions recorded in its claim-control ledger. These links go to the responsible public agency.