How a Boston Woman Lost $5,000 to a Sophisticated Gift Card Scam

The Cost of a Scam

It was supposed to be a way to save money on her internet bills, but it ended up costing a Boston woman thousands of dollars in a gift card scam.

Emily, who asked to be identified only by her first name, received a voicemail from someone claiming to be a customer service representative from Xfinity, reminding her that her contract was up. When she called back, she heard a prompt that seemed legitimate, even asking for an extension.

The Trap is Set

The scammer presented two options: either maintain her contract at a higher price or take advantage of a promotion with Target, where if she paid for the first year upfront, she would receive the second year at 50% off. Trusting the call, Emily agreed to the promotion.

After confirming her balance, the scammer asked for her Target credit card number. When Emily mentioned she didn't have one, they offered to sign her up for it as part of the promotion. This should have raised a red flag, but she proceeded to purchase gift cards as payment.

The Cycle of Deception

The following day, Emily received another call from the same number, claiming there was a problem with Target's payment system and requesting repayment. Despite feeling uneasy, she continued to buy more gift cards, believing the scammer's assurances about receiving a cashier's check for her payments.

The Wake-Up Call

It wasn't until a CVS employee alerted her that she was being scammed that reality set in. Emily had already lost over $5,000 to the fraudsters. She later confirmed with Xfinity that there was no such promotion.

Lessons Learned

Emily emphasized the importance of vigilance and suggested that more preventive measures, such as warning signs near gift card racks and training for employees, could help others avoid similar scams. Comcast Xfinity has reminded customers that they will never ask for payment through gift cards or personal information over the phone.

More Scam Awareness

The FTC warns that only scammers will ask for payment via gift cards. Customers should always be cautious and verify any suspicious requests with the legitimate company directly.