With the cost of groceries and gas continuing to strain household budgets, a postcard promising gift cards can be tempting. But the Better Business Bureau says consumers should think twice before responding.
The BBB is warning people about scams involving official-looking postcards that claim recipients can receive hundreds of dollars in free gas or grocery gift cards after paying a small “processing” or “shipping” fee.
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While the offers may appear legitimate, scammers often use the mail to create a false sense of trust.
How the scam works
According to the Better Business Bureau, the postcards often include:
- Promises of free gas or grocery gift cards worth hundreds of dollars.
- Official-looking barcodes or tracking numbers.
- Phrases such as “Final Notice” or “Act Now.”
- A phone number to call or website to visit to claim the offer.
Once someone responds, they’re typically asked to pay a small processing or shipping fee using a credit or debit card. In some cases, scammers may also request personal information, such as a name, address or financial account details.
Instead of receiving the promised gift cards, victims may end up facing unauthorized charges, recurring subscriptions or identity theft.
Red flags to watch for
The BBB says consumers should be cautious if an offer:
- Claims you’ll receive something valuable for free after paying a fee.
- Creates a sense of urgency with phrases like “Final Notice.”
- Asks for payment or financial information upfront.
- Comes from a company you’ve never heard of.
- Makes offers that seem too good to be true.
How to verify a company
Before calling the number or visiting the website listed on a postcard, the BBB recommends:
- Researching the company online.
- Checking the company’s reputation through the Better Business Bureau.
- Looking for customer reviews and complaints.
- Visiting the company’s official website instead of using the contact information provided on the mailer.
If you can’t verify the business or the offer seems suspicious, don’t respond.
If you’ve already called the number, paid a fee or shared personal or financial information, experts recommend taking action immediately:
- Contact your bank or credit card company to report the transaction.
- Monitor your financial accounts for unauthorized charges.
- Change passwords if you’ve shared login information.
- Watch your credit reports for signs of identity theft.
- Report the scam to the Better Business Bureau and the appropriate consumer protection agencies.
The BBB reminds consumers that legitimate companies typically do not require customers to pay a fee to receive a “free” gift card. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.