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Attorney General Dan Rayfield, along with attorneys general from 13 other states, launched a public service announcement (PSA) campaign paid for by the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance aimed at protecting consumers from the growing threat of gift card scams. This collaborative effort comes as millions of Americans prepare to redeem gift cards received during the holiday season—a prime opportunity for scammers to target unsuspecting individuals.

“Gift cards are meant to be a simple way to celebrate the holidays – not a way for scammers to steal from people,” said Attorney General Rayfield. “These scams work because they create urgency and fear, and they can happen to anyone. This campaign is about helping people spot those red flags, protect their money, and remember there’s help if something doesn’t feel right.”

The PSAs will run December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026, and feature a unified message from state AGs that gift cards are safe while urging consumers to remain vigilant against gift card scams. The campaign highlights common fraud tactics, offers tips for safe gift card usage, and encourages the public to immediately report any incidents of gift card fraud to their respective state attorney general offices.

Gift card scams often involve fraudsters impersonating trusted organizations or individuals and pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and share the codes. These schemes can result in significant financial loss and emotional distress for consumers.

“By joining forces with AGs, the top legal and consumer protection officer in each state, we’re sending a powerful message to the criminals committing gift card fraud and giving consumers tools to protect themselves and loved ones,” said Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation which leads the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. “It takes a village to combat gift card fraud, and it’s critical to get the word out so consumers know about these scams and how to avoid them.”

To recognize and avoid gift card scams, consumers should remember: government agencies and reputable companies will never demand payment via gift cards; requests for immediate action or secrecy are red flags.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a gift card scam, report the incident to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division. Every report helps us track criminal activity and build stronger cases against criminal networks operating gift card scams.

Source: Oregon Attorney General's Office

Portland Local News