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One thing we know about scammers — they want money, and they want it fast. That’s why, whatever the con they’re running, they usually ask people to pay a certain way. They want to make it easy for themselves to get the money — and nearly impossible for you to get it back.

Their latest method? iTunes gift cards. To convince you to pay, they might pretend to be with the IRS and say you’ll be arrested if you don’t pay back taxes right now. Or pose as a family member or online love interest who needs your help fast. But as soon as you put money on a card and share the code with them, the money’s gone for good.

If you’re not shopping at the iTunes store, you shouldn’t be paying with an iTunes gift card. Other payment methods scammers might ask for include Amazon gift cards, PayPal, reloadable cards like MoneyPak, Reloadit, or Vanilla, or by wiring money through services like Western Union or MoneyGram. Government offices won’t require you to use these payment methods.

If you get targeted by a scam like this, report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

Want to know more about avoiding scams? Read How to Avoid a Scam

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
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  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Thisrey817
October 06, 2019
I got a man that tell me to meet at the airport but to bring $100 in itunes but doesnt meer up but wants me to send the cards info first n then he said after that he will meet up with me in 12 min
Binleith
October 06, 2019
an instagram user told me that I have won an iPhone giveaway..then tells me that I should buy an itune gift card and then send them the picture of the front and back..or just send them a screenshot of the email to verify...I was doubting but since I came here I'm sure he is just a scam...right?
Binleith
October 06, 2019
This guy is a thief...name is justin_savage008 in Instagram...he says that u won an iPhone giveaway...he then asks for an itune gift card of 50 dollars...he wants the code number and the email itself...........this is a message from her/him after I asked about how I can get my iPhone X giveaway.......,............,........................................."You need to get a $50 iTunes card card in the super store,, for us to verify your winning and make the delivery of your phone. Ensure the card is properly activated in the store you get it. You now send the pictures of both sides of the card to us for verification. You would receive a tracking number for your delivery after doing that and your winning will get to you in less than 24hours"........... .... . .....................................,...................................this sight really helped me...I feel like I should report him before he /she does it to some1 else...plus he keeps on changing the account name ....he Is active in if by the name..'tholuwarfasionhouse"...changes account name to "justin_savage008"
stupidgurl
October 11, 2019
I believe I’m being scammed by 2 different men. 1 says he works for Exxon mobile and lives in New York but went to Japan for work and his bank account somehow won’t work there. He’s asking me to use mine for money to be transferred into it then I send money to him so he can come home and be with me because he’s in love with me. Mind you I’ve never met this man. We’ve only texted. I refuse to do it. The name he is using is David Wilson. The 2nd man states he is stationed in Syria and claims to be ambushed almost daily. He says he lost his phone and wallet with all his cards in one of the ambushes so he’s begging me to get him iTunes gift cards in the amounts no lower than $50 so he can sell them to eat and listen to music and watch tv on his laptop. He proclaims his undying love for me on a daily basis. He goes by the name of Prescott. He’s a very smooth talker but I know I’m being scammed by both. If anyone else is being scammed by either of these men please inform me so I can throw it in their face.
tharmon
October 11, 2019
I'm pretty sure that I am being scammed also. His name is Paul Matty. He is from Germany and is a contract engineer in the high seas in norway. He has a 14 year old son named David in boarding school in germany. He says he also needs itunes, amazon, or steam gift cards to upload his phone for data. I have sent him a total of 3 amazon cards. He says he will pay me back when he has his vacation the first week of December. If anyone is familiar with these names please let me know.
FTC Staff
November 08, 2019

In reply to by tharmon

You can't add minutes to your phone with an iTunes card. The only place to use an iTunes card is at the iTunes store, to buy online music, apps or books.

If you gave someone the code from an iTunes card and you think it was a scam, call Apple Support at 1-800-275-2273 right away.

msmith
November 08, 2019
I have been talking to a guy for over a month now and since we’ve been talking he has left for a business trip and has been oversees for 3 weeks and now can’t get home. He needs me to send him $150.00 iTunes gift card to help pay for his plane ticket?!?! His credit card has been compromised and they have sent him a new one to his home in Connecticut where his children are. I’ve asked why someone can’t buy his plane ticket for him with the new card or send him money from that new card and he never really has a response that makes sense to me....
FTC Staff
November 08, 2019

In reply to by msmith

That sounds like a scam. You don't buy plane tickets with an iTunes card. The only place to use an iTunes card is at the iTunes store, to buy online music, apps or books.

If you gave someone the code from an iTunes card and you think it was a scam, call Apple Support at 1-800-275-2273 right away.

Piscesqueen
October 19, 2019
Has anyone talked to a guy named David Meyer/David Boyd on hangouts asking for an Itunea gift card for his phone? May originally reach out to via Instagram.
LgirlDon't use…
October 19, 2019
Someone is asking me to buy a card take a picture, send it to them. He is on twitter, says his phone screen is broken he needs the money to replace it. Does this make sense.
FTC Staff
November 08, 2019

In reply to by LgirlDon't use…

That sounds like a scam.  The only place to use an iTunes card is at the iTunes store, to buy online music, apps or books. You don't use an iTunes card to pay for repairs.

If you buy a card and send him a picture of the card, he can take the value of the card immediately and you lose all your money.

If you gave someone the code from an iTunes card and you think it was a scam, call Apple Support at 1-800-275-2273 right away.

Worshiper in Iowa
November 08, 2019
Posed as my pastor, asking for iTunes cards for a total of $300. Then, changed to a bishop in Pennsylvania. Got nasty when I didn't respond soon enough. Sure knew that wasn't my pastor. Fortunately, didn't send any money to the hospital for Sharon, who is dying of cancer, at sharonjane140@ or 203-666-5984. They're changing prAy to prEy.
HebrewHammer94
November 02, 2019
Anyone getting targeted by an alleged Pamella Rossy from Instagram and Whatsapp who claims to be from Euphoria, MS, have previously lived in Brazil, and begs for an iTunes gift card so that she don’t get their phone cut off or shut down?
eriene
November 03, 2019
I was about to buy on an online mobile shop ..I want to buy iPhone 8plus worth 2thousand hongkong dollars then the seller ask me to pay them via iTunes gift card ..and I don't know about it so I made a research and found this .thanks a lot !
Sarah
November 04, 2019
Hello, I though I would warn people's out there about this guy who been talking to me from july. He lives In Nigeria. He been telling me about his life story and I been talking back to him. It seen like he asking me for I tune card every day but I been trying not to send him but he making me feel bad with his words. I started to talk with him off facebook. His name is ndudi Collins so everyone be careful about him. Does anyone know this guy.
Khali Sanchez
November 06, 2019
Can you help me I'm so angry because I feel like I'm getting doped into a relationship and my online supposedly lover waited for some time starting asking me for money by steam wallet card or Google or apple I tunes card or Amazon card so sell it for money for travel but want to use a car then make up another accuse why they need more money saying I need more because I need to pay a mechanic in Amazon card my card broke or I need gas money now I'm being conned by a woman using the name marry Anderson telling me she is currently in Nigeria supposedly a white girl who talks about her father's inheritance business that she inherited and she has bank of America checking account but says I need to pay for her flight to the back to the states if I do I will have her and the check
Muna Henry-Dixon
November 12, 2019
I am feeling worried and upset tbh. I have been chatting to a guy from Texas USA who is stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is called Fred Smith a widowed and has a 7 year old girl called Jessica. He celebrated his 38th birthday about 2 weeks ago. He got me via facebook and messenger and he was lovely to talk to and he seemed educated. Then his account is unaccessible and he only contacted me via Hangout...I had never used it before but he was insisting I used the app. He has been less polite and not the same as when on facebook and messenger. He has been nagging me to get him i-Tune card for around 100 -200 dollars so he can keep in contact with me and have wi-fi....I don't know what to do he might be real but how can I tell as when he called me his accent sounded like he was of black origin and not a Texan accent but the sound wasnt great. He is now making me feel guilty saying without the i-Tune card he won't have wi-fi...do the cards provide wi-fi? Also he wants me to purchase the card from a shop and not online so I get a receipt...I really don't know what to think anymore.....
FTC Staff
January 28, 2020

In reply to by Muna Henry-Dixon

No, iTunes cards do not buy wifi. That person is not telling you the truth.

The only place to use an iTunes card is at the iTunes store, to buy online music, apps or books.

Jas
January 28, 2020
I am actually also taking to a guy name micky Johnson and 5 days and is already saying g he loves and wants me as his wife He asked me to get him a amazon card I could not find it in the store and I asked him again and he then asked me for a iTunes card stupid me bought for him $100 cause his son needed shoes and it was a fast way to get it and send out as he is in Madrid . And his son is in Alabama. And just today he has asked for another card to buy a special meal And was wondering g if I could get him a card
WWaps5525
November 22, 2019
This guy named Kelvin Owens requested to follow me on Instagram and claimed he was Lieutenant Commander in the navy and currently deployed in West Africa. He said he doesn’t have a credit cares or a bank account to buy a connection. And after talking for a little, he requested that I give him a $50 or $100 amazon gift card to get a connection to text, send photos, video chat etc... and he understood I didn’t have the money and so I wanted to video chat with him to see his face. We were using the app called hangouts. But when I tried to video chat and he answered there was no voice or video. I’m Not sure if he is a scammer or a real navy soldier.
Mtntiger
December 09, 2019
I have a guy that sent me money, he then sends a picture with my name and bank account with it showing the date as well as the money balance being sent, but it then says it needs a gift card of 50 dollars is required for the activation process. Says I cannot receive payment until a gift card is used to complete the bank transaction from his account to mine
Fake love
December 13, 2019
I met someone online 2weeks ago he's working in Afgainastan he says he loves me and now wants a 25.00 iTunes card to buy books I don't know what to do. He video calls me but I can't see him he said he had to ask his commander if it's alright to video chat
Ddweber
December 28, 2019
I have a gal that found me on Facebook, she is from Argentina, wants to be able to video chat with me, tells me she needs a $150.00 Amazon or iTunes gift card to be able to get a calling plan. Don't know why one would need that. I have not sent it. Help.
Jondousey098
December 29, 2019
I was contacted by someone from the Steve Harvey Foundation stating that i won a cash prize and in order for it to be delivered by FedEx by Tuesday i would need to obtain a $ 100.00 iTunes card to ensure the delivery of my prize ... Is that a scam or is it legitimate..
cathyseel
January 28, 2020
A guy is trying to get me to get him £100 card an sayin he loves me an wants me to get him this to buy food has in his country that’s what they do glad I read this before falling victim to this
VapeGoddess
January 28, 2020
I was told that I won a iPhone but should buy a $50 iTunes gift card to activate it
george
January 08, 2020
The scammer who is scamming my mom out of Itune gift cards is using the name and FB name of John Isaac. Beware
Aboidsgiftcard…
January 18, 2020
I’m reporting this # 888-764-7751. These peoples claiming to be Apple support personnel. They tried to get me to go out and get $100 Apple gift card to give it to them so they can handle a fraudulent charge for me. Also, stating that I’ll get that $100 refund back after the supposed fraudulent charge is taken care of.
lou
January 24, 2020
someone ask to get itunes card a solider so it as money on it to travel to me in England is this true plus they ask me to get a wallet card too which i never heard of
K-cat
January 24, 2020
I am talking to this guy who is claiming to be in the military and he wants to “register” my number. So he asked me to buy a $25 iTunes card to register with the military registration line center. I am trying to figure out if he is lying. My gut tells me that he might be but I want for once in my life to have someone not lying to me.
sucker man
January 28, 2020
I got scammed for over 1500 dollars since November 2019 to now by sending iTunes cards paid cash and all they wanted was the code and the receipt I'm so sick of this they won't stop asking me for more and I got a picture of them and passport and dl is this ligit or I'm getting scammed?
Mandl
September 08, 2020

In reply to by sucker man

The pics are not really them, and the names and passports are all fake also.
B.Mejia
February 08, 2020
Has someone had a experience with a man name called Jason Cole ? Just curious?
Trudolp
February 26, 2020
Has anyone heard of Anton Eaton. I met him on word wars. He asked for a calling card then. said all the lovey stuff. Next day asked for a itunes card.
Trudolp
February 26, 2020
Has anyone heard of Anton Eaton. I met him on word wars. He asked for a calling card then. said all the lovey stuff. Next day asked for a itunes card.
I phone purchase
March 08, 2020
Just got %3rd call about a fake account In another state. They claim a purchase of an I phone xr. Of course the first call I changed all log in and billing info. So to get yet the third day of same info, confirmation of scam. The individual calling today was clearly foreign. He wanted to know how I log into my account. I told them I have multiple log in. At this part they wanted my main log in as android or iPhone. I claimed i used more than those two and when I got this same call yesterday and changed all account info, the caller hung up. I have monitored my account and see no suspicious activity. Like I said this caller had an English barrier. I have never had a call directly from amazon. All contact has been through my account and never email or calls. What a sad world. I I guess these scammers know major people have an amazon account. I also know I have paid close attention to account. I also kern all we know what was my kasrnitems ordered (didn’t say what). I captured the phone number and would reportnas needed. Hopefully this will stop calls. Only because I have a hoke purchase did I open my accept unknown callers. When it isn’t an American voice I am always on high alert.
Sher
April 08, 2020
I know this guy and he asked me for the cards.. Can the iTunes card transfer to bitcoin?.
Alberdisoriano…
April 11, 2020
Someone scam my card can i get my money back?
Kalscruse
April 19, 2020
Scammers used me pretending as a bank loan cash net and I've gave my bank information and they said they would lit money into my bank about but first I've had tobut a iTunes gift and later I've found our it was a scammer and now my bank account is close and now I've has derogatory credit and now cant get ni bank account at all
Jeroen76
April 21, 2020
Hi i'm form the netherlands i have also an scammer herr name is Ezen Olah situated in Canada Toronto, sche asks after I few chats for an gift card , can't find any information online about herr sche pretend to be an photographer but no content to find
CrazyLadyInAmerica
April 23, 2020
Sounds like My story. There's a guy going by the name Scott Parker. Looks like a well dressed, handsome, Asian man. Facebook shows him as a widowed father of a 13 year old girl. Says he lives in Germany and is a doctor. We've chatted on Facebook, but he prefers hangouts. Love messages every day/night. Talks like a Christian man of faith. But I knew if I waited long enough he would eventually show those true colors. Today in hangouts he talked about computer troubles and needing itunes cards to save his documents. He said they don't have itune cards where he's at. He said he's an army doctor and been sent to Syria. Now I've never used itunes, but I know its not for backing up documents. And I never, ever, give out financial information online. Also, I automatically assumed "scott parker " was a fake name. If you were not born in America then you would not have the American name. It was a fun dream while it lasted, but I'm not into being scammed. Guess he picked the wrong girl this time.
Judy
May 15, 2020
I have been or tried to be from a guy name Eric Bernd he said all the right things he was fallen in love with he was in Florida but his job took him to Syria sent me pictures quite striking I was actually fallen for him then here it came oh my love I need a itune card for my work and so we could still chat I told him no then wanted my acct no oh no way I blocked him so far now haven't heard from him whew his name is Eric Bernd do not fall for this man's game
Bumblebee
May 23, 2020
I hv couple guys asked me to get them itune card valued $100 so that they can continue using their phones. Why do these people ask for itune cards? How does itune card help them? Since we learn here that itune card won’t do a thing for them to make calls, to go on internet!!!!
Gus
May 25, 2020
Someone told me today that if I bought amazon gift card for $300.00, they would give me $3500.00 with in 10-20 minutes of sending proof of purchase. When I asked for proof they sent me pics of conversation between different people standing in front of gift cards at store. And pics of cash app transactions. And a pic off google that showed Bitcoin stock . Got to be scam...$300 for $3500? How does this work??
Mama didn’t ra…
June 02, 2020
Anyone know a scammer Joe sorrells A sweet talker. From CA in the army. About to retire. Soon a daughter. Sweet talk for a few days then needs a iTunes card. Then when you can’t. He upset. Look out. Never believe the hype.
Sharon
June 15, 2020
I've been using KIK Messenger for years. I've texted enough people over the years on KIK to know, who are the nice ones and not so nice. KIK Messenger has a section, "Meet New People". These are people as close to being your neighbor to around the world. On May 25, 2020 237PM, he registered under the name Jerry Albert. Jerryalbert1234. 1 Day on KIK. He said, "I am Wilson from USA, are you on Hangout". I replied, "No". (Red Flags are going up). On May 25, 2020 326pm, "I asked him, "Where r u from?" He replies, "UK". I asked him, "What name are you going by, Wilson or Albert? He replies, Albert. On June 13, 2020 420am. He asks, "So can you buy me steam card is also known as iTuse card I want to use it update my computer so can talk well ok" RED FLAG#2 Grammar is poor and is asking for an iTunes card. I will admit years ago, I was scammed on a $25 iTunes gift card for buying books they need for college. Not anymore. With today's technology and education on Legit websites, you will learn all about what kinds of scams are going on. It pays to do your research/homework. Apple's website states iTunes gift cards are used for purchasing goods and services on the iTunes store, App store, iBook store, or for an Apple music membership. I hope this helps someone else, before they feel sorry for the person and sends the information off of an iTunes card. I did my part and reported this to FTC and KIK Messenger.
Linda T
June 21, 2020
Anyone chatting with an Asian man by the name of Scott Parker? Has a profile picture with a teenage girl? Says he lives in Germany and is a UK army doctor. Like to talk like he's in love and wants to marry You, but despite his job he has no money and wants iTunes and Amazon cards? I'd post a pic if I could. And he prefers talking on hangouts
Atin
July 03, 2020
This is actually happening to me right now. My friend from Washington went to turkey for work. We’d been talking since he landed in Turkey, but since Tuesday he never message me so I message Him but he never answered. Today he me message me saying his phone has a serious issue & he needs to activate using a 1000 iTunes. That he logged in on his account on his friends phone but it’s still showing his phone number. So I tried to video call him so I could see if it is really him but he said his friends video cam isn’t working. But his voice is different it’s like a young lads voice. I’m worried my friend lost his phone & whoever got it, will use to scam people...
Njw67
July 06, 2020
Anyone heard of Richard Wilson. Working on an oil rig says originally from Milan, Italy but lives in Houston, Texas. Nas an19yr old daughter who lives with a nanny. He started with steam cards then wanted bit coin then iTunes cards. Very sweet, writes me poetry etc etc days hr needs the itunes for subscriptions or data so he can talk to me
tshego
July 10, 2020
Someone said i won an i phone and i should pay an ITune I can buy the iTune from Checkers,then i should send the code after they are going to deliver