Medium riskMarketplace

Discounted Gift Card Resale Scam

In this scam, a seller offers gift cards at a discount, but the cards are empty, already spent, or fake, so the balance is gone by the time you try to use them.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Worthless-goods sale (buyer-targeted)
Main red flag
Discounted gift cards from a stranger, paid for by irreversible methods.
What to do first
Buy gift cards only from the official retailer or authorised sellers.

How this scam works

In this scam, a seller offers gift cards at a discount, but the cards are empty, already spent, or fake, so the balance is gone by the time you try to use them.

Marketplace scams target both buyers and sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and classified listings. Fraudsters fake payments, send bogus "buyer protection" emails, push deals off-platform, or use overpayment tricks to make you ship goods or send money for nothing.

In short, the giveaway is usually simple: Discounted gift cards from a stranger, paid for by irreversible methods. Buy gift cards only from the official retailer or authorised sellers.

Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Gift Card Balance Scam and the Marketplace Gift Card Payment Scam. See the full Marketplace Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.

How to spot this scam

  • Gift cards offered below face value by a stranger
  • Payment requested by e-transfer, crypto, or gift card
  • Only the code or a photo provided, not the physical card
  • Pressure to buy several quickly
  • A seller with no verifiable history

What the message looks like

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Selling $100 gift cards for $70 each, lots available. Pay by e-transfer and I'll send the codes.' The codes turn out to be empty or already redeemed.

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What gives it away: Discounted gift cards from a stranger, paid for by irreversible methods.

The scale of it

$1.4B
reported lost to fraud that started on social media in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
Top category
online shopping is consistently among the most-reported fraud types to the FTC
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

How to protect yourself

  • Buy gift cards from the official retailer or authorised sellers
  • Be wary of any discount on digital gift card codes from strangers
  • Use payment methods with buyer protection
  • Report sellers offering cheap codes

Already responded? Do this now

  • If the card is empty, report it to the platform and your payment provider
  • Keep the codes, listing, and messages as evidence
  • Check the balance directly with the card issuer
  • Dispute the payment if you used a protected method

Mistakes to avoid

  • Do not buy discounted gift card codes from strangers
  • Do not pay by irreversible methods
  • Do not assume a code is loaded without verifying

Related scams to know

Medium risk Online Shopping

Gift Card Balance Scam

In this scam, a fake 'check your gift card balance' website or message asks you to enter your gift card number and PIN, which the scammer then uses to drain the card's value before you get the chance to spend it.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Marketplace

Marketplace Gift Card Payment Scam

This scam involves a buyer or seller on a marketplace insisting on paying or being paid with gift card codes. Once the codes are shared they are drained almost instantly and are extremely difficult to recover.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Marketplace

Fake Escrow Scam

In a high-value marketplace deal, the other party insists on a specific 'escrow' or 'secure payment' website to hold the funds, but the site is fake and simply collects your money or card details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Common questions

Why are cheap gift cards risky?
Discounted codes from strangers are often empty, already spent, or obtained fraudulently, so the balance disappears when you try to use it.
Can I check a balance before buying?
Sellers may show a balance that they then drain before you redeem it. It is safer to buy only from the official retailer or authorised sellers.
I bought an empty card. What now?
Report it to the platform and your payment provider, keep your evidence, and dispute the payment if you used a protected method.
Where should I buy gift cards?
Use the official retailer or clearly authorised resellers, and avoid discounted digital codes sold privately.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.