The Weirdest Payment Scams People Still Fall For...
Gift Cards, Gold Bars and ‘Secret Shoppers’.
Scammers don’t just steal your money, they control how you pay. Once they convince you to use a certain type of payment, it becomes almost impossible to trace, stop or reverse. That is why modern scams often sound less like a transaction and more like instructions:
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“Go to the store.”
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“Buy this.”
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“Don’t tell anyone.”
A payment method that feels unusual, rushed or secretive is often the biggest red flag. Here is how some of the most common, and strangest, payment scams work.
Gift Cards: The Most Common Trap
It often starts with urgency.
A call or email from someone claiming to be from a government agency, a bank, tech support, your workplace or a well-known company. There is a problem, they say. A fine. A compromised account. A refund that needs to be processed.
Then comes the instruction: buy gift cards.
You might be told to purchase them from a supermarket or convenience store and read the codes over the phone or send photos of the back. Sometimes the scammer stays on the line while you do it.
Once the code is shared, the money is gone instantly. There is no way to reverse the transaction once the funds have been redeemed.
Red flags:
- Being told to pay a bill or fee (or anything really) using gift cards
- Pressure to act immediately
- Instructions to keep it secret or not ask for help
No legitimate organisation will ever ask for payment in gift cards.
Gold Bars and Precious Metals: The High-Stakes Scam
This one sounds extreme, but it is increasingly being reported.
Victims are convinced their bank accounts are at risk or being monitored. To “protect” their money, they are told to withdraw large sums and convert them into gold or other assets.
Then comes the final step: hand it over to a courier or deliver it to a “safe location”.
By the time the person realises what has happened, their life savings may be gone.
Red flags:
- Being told your bank is unsafe
- Instructions to convert money into gold or assets
- Someone arranging to collect valuables in person
Banks and government agencies will never ask you to move your money into gold for protection.
‘Secret Shopper’ Scams: Pay to Be Played
This scam plays on the idea of easy money.
You are offered a role as a mystery shopper or evaluator. It sounds simple: receive money, complete a task, keep a portion as payment.
The catch is that you are asked to use that money to buy gift cards or transfer funds as part of the “assignment”.
Often, the initial payment you receive is fake or later reversed, leaving you out of pocket for anything you spent.
Red flags:
- Being sent money and told to forward or spend it
- Jobs that involve buying gift cards as part of the task
- Being told to act quickly or not question the process
Legitimate jobs do not require you to move money around on behalf of someone else.
“Safe Accounts” and Unusual Transfers
Another common tactic is convincing people to move their own money.
You might be told your account has been compromised and you need to transfer your funds to a “safe account” to protect them. In reality, that account belongs to the scammer.
Sometimes this involves cryptocurrency, international transfers or unfamiliar payment platforms.
Red flags:
- Being told to urgently move your money
- Requests to transfer funds to new or unknown accounts
- Instructions that override your bank’s normal processes
Banks will never ask you to transfer your money to another account to keep it safe.
A Message for Retail Workers and Bystanders
These scams often play out in everyday settings.
Retail workers are often in a position to spot the warning signs.
Someone purchasing large amounts of gift cards while on the phone, appearing distressed or being guided through the process may be experiencing a scam in real time.
A simple, respectful question can interrupt that process and give someone a moment to reconsider.
For everyone else, sharing this information with friends and family can make a real difference. A quick conversation can be enough to prevent someone from losing money.
Gift Cards: The Most Common Trap
It often starts with urgency.
A call or email from someone claiming to be from a government agency, a bank, tech support, your workplace or a well-known company. There is a problem, they say. A fine. A compromised account. A refund that needs to be processed.
Then comes the instruction: buy gift cards.
You might be told to purchase them from a supermarket or convenience store and read the codes over the phone or send photos of the back. Sometimes the scammer stays on the line while you do it.
Once the code is shared, the money is gone instantly. There is no way to reverse the transaction once the funds have been redeemed.
Red flags:
- Being told to pay a bill or fee (or anything really) using gift cards
- Pressure to act immediately
- Instructions to keep it secret or not ask for help
No legitimate organisation will ever ask for payment in gift cards.
Gold Bars and Precious Metals: The High-Stakes Scam
This one sounds extreme, but it is increasingly being reported.
Victims are convinced their bank accounts are at risk or being monitored. To “protect” their money, they are told to withdraw large sums and convert them into gold or other assets.
Then comes the final step: hand it over to a courier or deliver it to a “safe location”.
By the time the person realises what has happened, their life savings may be gone.
Red flags:
- Being told your bank is unsafe
- Instructions to convert money into gold or assets
- Someone arranging to collect valuables in person
Banks and government agencies will never ask you to move your money into gold for protection.
‘Secret Shopper’ Scams: Pay to Be Played
This scam plays on the idea of easy money.
You are offered a role as a mystery shopper or evaluator. It sounds simple: receive money, complete a task, keep a portion as payment.
The catch is that you are asked to use that money to buy gift cards or transfer funds as part of the “assignment”.
Often, the initial payment you receive is fake or later reversed, leaving you out of pocket for anything you spent.
Red flags:
- Being sent money and told to forward or spend it
- Jobs that involve buying gift cards as part of the task
- Being told to act quickly or not question the process
Legitimate jobs do not require you to move money around on behalf of someone else.
“Safe Accounts” and Unusual Transfers
Another common tactic is convincing people to move their own money.
You might be told your account has been compromised and you need to transfer your funds to a “safe account” to protect them. In reality, that account belongs to the scammer.
Sometimes this involves cryptocurrency, international transfers or unfamiliar payment platforms.
Red flags:
- Being told to urgently move your money
- Requests to transfer funds to new or unknown accounts
- Instructions that override your bank’s normal processes
Banks will never ask you to transfer your money to another account to keep it safe.
A Message for Retail Workers and Bystanders
These scams often play out in everyday settings.
Retail workers are often in a position to spot the warning signs.
Someone purchasing large amounts of gift cards while on the phone, appearing distressed or being guided through the process may be experiencing a scam in real time.
A simple, respectful question can interrupt that process and give someone a moment to reconsider.
For everyone else, sharing this information with friends and family can make a real difference. A quick conversation can be enough to prevent someone from losing money.
No Shame. Just Awareness.
Scams rely on pressure, fear and trust, and they can affect anyone. If something doesn’t feel right, pause. Speak to someone you trust. Contact your bank directly using publicly advertised contact details.
If you or someone you know has been targeted, do not feel embarrassed. Many people fall for these scams every day. The more openly we talk about them, the harder it becomes for scammers to succeed.
We’ve partnered with BankVic to help keep our community safe from scams and criminal activity while online! Stay up to date with the latest tips and information in one convenient place, empowering you to prevent online crime and outsmart scammers. Together, we can create a safer internet for everyone!
Read articles here.
Been scammed?
Step 1
If you have given any financial details or have already lost money, contact your bank immediately.
It’s also important to change your passwords, monitor your accounts closely, and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file.
Step 2
Report the scam to police at cyber.gov.au or at your nearest police station.
Additionally, report the scam to Scamwatch and your local authorities to help prevent others from falling victim.
If you think you have been scammed online, IDCARE can help for free! Call 1800 595 160 or visit their website www.idcare.org
Step 3
Getting scammed online does not mean you are not smart. Cybercrime keeps changing, so anyone can be a target. Do not be embarrassed or hard on yourself! Learn about new scams and take steps to stay safe instead.
If you need support after falling victim to a scam talk to friends and family or contact:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Step 4
If you have given any financial details or have already lost money, contact your bank immediately.aFinally, talk about different types of emerging scams and if you have been scammed share your experience with family and friends so they can better recognise the signs of scams.
Smart Scam Guide
Download a comprehensive guide to spotting scams. Download to learn about the most common scams and what to do if you have fallen victim to one.
