Please be advised that there is a gift card request being sent to members of our community from PPE & Bob Jewell that is a scam requesting the purchase of gift cards. Polo Park East ROA as a legitimate business will not ask for payment with gift cards.
Here's more information:
1. Identifying a Scam:
Unsolicited requests:
Scammers often initiate contact via phone, text, email, or social media, posing as government agencies, businesses, or even family members in distress.
Demand for specific gift cards:
They'll instruct you to purchase a particular type of gift card (e.g., Google Play, Amazon, Target) and provide the numbers.
Urgency and fear:
They create a sense of panic by threatening legal action, account freezes, or identity theft if you don't comply.
Pressure to share details:
Scammers will pressure you to share the numbers on the back of the card, or the redemption codes.
2. How to Avoid a Scam:
Never pay with gift cards:
Legitimate businesses and government agencies will never ask for payment using gift cards.
Be wary of unsolicited requests:
Ignore calls, texts, or emails asking you to buy or share gift cards.
Don't share card details:
Never give out the numbers or redemption codes on the back of a gift card to anyone you don't know well or haven't met in person.
Verify the source:
If you're unsure about a request, contact the company or agency directly through their official website or phone number.
3. How to Report the Scam:
Report to the FTC: Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Report to the gift card company: Report the scam to the company that issued the gift card.
Report to your local police department: If you've been scammed, report the incident to your local police department.
Report to Google: If you were scammed through Google Play, report the scam to Google Help.