How to Spot FAKE Gift Card Activations (and AVOID the SCAM!)

As a consumer guide to gift cards, I am aware of various scams. One popular fraud scheme tricks people into entering their gift card numbers on fake gift card activation sites. Here's how this ruse works, why scammers use it, and how you can avoid it.

Identifying Fake Gift Card Activation Sites

Scammers create websites with URLs that are almost identical to legitimate ones. For example, if the correct site is activategiftcard.com, a scammer might make something really close like activategiftcards.com (an "s" is added), activategiftcard1.com (a number added), or activategiftcard.co (a different extension). Because the fake web address looks nearly the same, people accidentally visit the fraudulent site instead of the real one.

Secondly, scammers design fake gift card sites to look very similar to the real ones with the same colors, stolen logos, and much of the exact text. Some sites look so real you can't tell they are fraudulent without poking around a little—looking for other pages, checking for misspellings, reading blog posts (if there are any), and checking for customer service contact options.

Now, here's the stinger.

Landing on the fake site itself isn't necessarily the problem—entering your gift card number is what leads to trouble. 

How Fake Gift Card Activation Sites Work

The most important thing to know about this gift card scam, and nearly EVERY gift card scam, is that you don't need the actual card to access the value on the card. Whether that means a fraudster uses the "card" online to make a purchase or uses the numbers to make a copycat plastic, the only way to keep a gift card safe is to protect the card number itself. 

Think of the card number as the key to the funds. As long as scammers have access to the digits, they can drain a card's value without ever possessing the physical card. 

That's why it's crucial to guard your gift card number like you would a debit or credit card number. Keeping this number secure is the best way to ensure that your gift card retains its value and remains safe from fraudsters.

So, what does this have to do with a fake gift card activation site? Scammers create these bogus websites to lure people into entering their gift card numbers. Though the victims think they are activating their cards, they are simply giving their good gift card numbers to bad actors. Once a card is compromised, the scammers will activate it on the REAL website and use the funds. The victim won't even know there is a problem until their gift card doesn't work.

So, how do you protect yourself from using a fake gift card activation site? Before entering your gift card number on a phony activation website, here are five things to check. 

How to Avoid Fake Gift Card Activation Sites 

1. Verify the Website URL. Always type the full website address directly into your browser's URL bar when attempting to activate a gift card online. Avoid letting the web browser "finish" entering or "autocorrect" the address. Then, double-check the URL to ensure it matches the official site printed on the back of your gift card before starting the activation process.
2. Avoid Sponsored Links. Avoid sponsored links in search engine results when searching for the correct gift card activation site. Scammers know their way around the Internet and will pay to have their fake sites appear at the top of search results. Instead, enter the URL manually.
3. Look for Signs of a Scam Website. Scam websites can look very convincing, but there are usually telltale signs that something is amiss. Check if the site is skimpy (with no additional content), contains misspelled words, or asks for unnecessary personal information like your Social Security Number. These are red flags that indicate the site might be fraudulent.
4. Use Reliable Resources. When in doubt, use resources like ScamAdvisor.com to check a website's legitimacy. ScamAdvisor provides reviews and trust scores for websites, helping you determine if a site is safe to use.
5. Choose Phone or In-App Activation. Use the phone or the merchant's mobile app to activate your gift card if possible. Look for a telephone number on the back of the card to see if phone activation is available. This method allows you to connect directly to the merchant's services, reducing the risk of falling for a fake website. Alternatively, many merchants offer the option to activate gift cards through their mobile apps. This option provides a secure way to activate your card and allows you to register the card to your account, adding an extra layer of protection.

By following these tips, you can avoid entering (and losing!) your gift card number on a fake activation site. Here's an example to show you how easy it is to accidentally land on a suspicious or fake gift card activation site.

Example of a Potential Scam Activation Site

I can't stress this enough: while it is tempting to do a search or let the keyboard do the work for you, it could lead to problems. Here's a little test I did to prove this point.

1. I entered "my prepaid center" into a Google search bar.
2. Among the results, I saw the correct site, myprepaidcenter.com (GOOD!), and another site, myprepaidcentercard.com (NOT GOOD!).
3. When I clicked on the latter (the not good website), it took me to a defunct or unsecured page, which is likely a scam site--or at least very suspicious.

How to Get to the CORRECT Gift Card Activation Site

The correct way is simple. Don't use the search bar--go to the very tippy-top of your browser and enter the website address directly. Let me break it down:

1. Type the correct gift card activation URL into your browser's URL bar--not the search bar.
2. Before starting the activation process, double-check the URL to ensure it matches the official site printed on the back of your gift card.

Typing the full website address directly into your browser's URL bar only takes a few extra keystrokes and is worth the hassle--unless you are okay with losing the value of your gift card. 🙂

Now there's one other thing I want to mention--there are many legitimate Visa and Mastercard gift card websites.

There are MANY Legitimate Activation Websites

There are many legitimate gift card suppliers for bank-issued gift cards, such as Visa or Mastercard. For example, a Target Stores Visa gift card differs from a Vanilla Visa gift card or a Visa gift card issued by your bank. Though they all carry the Visa logo, each will have its own activation site. So you must go to the correct URL (shown on the back of the card) regardless.

While a legitimate gift card activation site will not try to steal your credentials, you may still think the card is invalid when activation doesn't work. Trust me. I've fielded hundreds of concerns from worried consumers who believed their Visa gift cards didn't work, only to realize they were trying to activate or check the balances on the wrong sites.

In summary, remember these three things:

1. Always verify the URL before entering your gift card information.
2. Use resources like ScamAdvisor.com to check the legitimacy of websites.
3. Protect your gift card numbers because the value can be used once someone has access to the numbers.

By staying vigilant and following these tips, you can ensure a safe and secure gift card experience. At Gift Cards You Can Trust, we are dedicated to providing you with reliable information and peace of mind in every gift.

Quickly - if someone tells you to buy gift cards in a hurry, that could be a scam. Use these mantras to avoid gift card scams.

Got Gift Card Questions?

What other gift card questions do you have? Let me know in the comments below, and I'll answer you there or write a blog post for more details. 

Until then, I'm your consumer guide to gift cards and will fill this site with helpful resources and reliable information to give you peace of mind in every gift.

Happy gifting,

Shelley Hunter, Consumer Guide to Gift Cards