In a new scheme to steal money, scammers are posing as online friends in need of a favor, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns in a new scam alert.
Unsuspecting victims may see emails that appear to be from a friend or family member. Although the email seems harmless at first, the sender will ask you to buy a gift card as a favor. The scammer than will ask for the card’s PIN and/or a photo of the card’s information on the back.
Victims who fall for this scam will probably never see that money again, the BBB warns. If you do receive an unusual request, contact your “friend” directly to confirm the story. Before purchasing a gift card online, the BBB recommends these tips.