What is "The Fake Boss Gift Card Scam?"
As we roll into October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month is upon us—a perfect time to talk about safeguarding our digital spaces. With the holidays approaching and gift cards frequently used in fraudulent schemes, I want to talk about a scam that is EASY to detect and help others AVOID. I call it: "The Boss Gift Card Scam."
So what is it? Simply put, it involves scammers impersonating supervisors or higher-ups in urgent communications, asking employees to purchase gift cards. Many employees, wanting to appear diligent and responsive, rush to comply—falling right into scammer traps.
Recently, the Better Business Bureau issued a warning that echoes the seriousness of this issue, highlighting how these scams target employees by exploiting their eagerness to please their bosses. You can read more about their findings and recommendations in that article.
I know two young women who fell victim to this scam, and their stories underscore the critical need for vigilance and straightforward protocols in every workplace.
Here’s what happened:
Scam Victim #1: I Got the Job!
One young woman received an email from her college job board offering a position as a personal assistant to a well-known doctor in the area. Excited about the opportunity, she responded to the job sponsor, sent in her resume, and got hired immediately.
Soon after starting, she received a text from the doctor asking her to buy a $500 Nordstrom gift card for a nonprofit organization. The doctor said he would reimburse her for the gift card via her paycheck.
Without verifying the request, she purchased the card and sent the numbers. It wasn't until she tried to follow up that she realized something was off—her boss's phone was disconnected, and the nonprofit hadn't received a dime. Of course, she never got that paycheck either.
Thankfully, she didn't do any more "work" for the scammer, but $500 is a lot of money for a college student.
She felt foolish and broke.
Scam Victim #2: First Work Assignment
The second young woman encountered this scam on her first day at a new job. Before heading out to work, she received two emails from her "boss" instructing her to buy $500 in eBay gift cards before coming into the office. They promised to reimburse her when she arrived.
However, "Sarah" (let's call her) didn't have $500 in her account. Her mom recalls, "She was in full panic mode. It was her first day working for the top real estate firm."
Sarah asked her mom to buy the gift cards for her, but thankfully, her mom suggested she text her new boss instead. When she did, her boss replied, "We will never ask you to spend your own money for the business."
I love this story because it shows how Sarah avoided the scam. Plus, her boss established a clear rule that can help in future situations.
And that's the point I want to make today. To keep your team from falling for "fake boss gift card scams," set some boss rules for the organization.
INFOGRAPHIC: How to Keep Your Team Safe
In the infographic below, I share four easy ways to keep your team safe.
(Click the image for a full-size view.)
Recap of Tips
For those who can't (or don't want) to read the infographic, here are the tips that will keep your team safe:
- Educate Employees: Regular training sessions on common scams can make a huge difference. Discuss the typical signs of a boss scam and share stories like the ones above to illustrate the risks.
- Implement Clear Policies: Clearly state the types of expenses employees might incur. Ensure everyone knows that they will not be asked to buy gift cards and they should never have to use personal funds for unverified expenditures.
- Set Up Verification Protocols: Establish a simple verification process for urgent financial requests. Use known, official contact methods for confirmation—never respond directly to a suspicious request.
- Limit Gift Card Purchases: Define strict rules about who can purchase gift cards and under what circumstances. Require approvals for substantial amounts.
- Encourage Open Communication: Promote a culture where employees feel safe to report odd requests or seek clarification without hesitation.
PRO TIP: Platforms like LinkedIn make it easy for scammers to learn who the higher-ups are at your company so they know who to impersonate. If something seems off, let your cybersecurity or IT team know about it--it's excellent training for everyone.
Let's Talk
If you're looking for a deeper dive into gift card security and want practical, hands-on advice tailored to your organization, I'm here to help. Let’s schedule a meeting to discuss how I can help your organization stay one step ahead of fraudsters. You can contact me here, or visit me at GiftCardReform.com.
Let’s make your gift card program foolproof and trusted by everyone in your network.
You can do this and I'm here to help if you have any questions.
Happy gifting!
Shelley Hunter, Consumer Guide to Gift Cards
0 comments