LinkedIn Recruiter Phishing Scam via Gift Cards
After a fake LinkedIn recruiter 'hires' a target, they often ask the new hire to purchase gift cards to cover onboarding costs or software licenses, a request no real employer would ever make.
Part of: LinkedIn Recruiter Phishing Scam
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Real employers provide equipment directly or reimburse through payroll; none pays for software licenses with retail gift cards. In this variant of the fake recruiter scheme, the scam surfaces after the target already believes they are hired: the new 'employee' is told to buy training materials or a starter kit with gift cards from a specific retailer, photograph the codes, and expect reimbursement on the first paycheck. Eagerness to impress a new employer suppresses the obvious question, and the codes are redeemed instantly. The distinction that matters most: gift cards are a payment method no genuine workplace ever uses.
How this scam works on gift cards
After completing a fake onboarding process, the scammer tells the new 'employee' they need to purchase specific software licenses, training materials, or a starter kit and will be reimbursed on the first paycheck, but the only accepted payment method is gift cards from a specific retailer. The target is instructed to buy the cards, scratch off the back, and photograph or read the codes over chat, at which point the scammer immediately redeems them and cuts off contact.
Because the target believes they're already employed and eager to make a good first impression, they often comply quickly without questioning why a real company would require gift cards rather than a company-provided account or reimbursement through payroll.
Common red flags
- You're asked to buy gift cards to cover onboarding costs, software, or equipment
- The employer insists gift cards are the only accepted payment method for reimbursement
- You're pressured to send the card codes immediately rather than receiving a formal reimbursement process
- The 'employer' promises to repay you on your first paycheck for money you spend now
- No official company email domain or HR system is used to formalize the request
- The request arrives via chat rather than through any documented payroll or expense system
How to protect yourself
- Refuse any job-related request to purchase gift cards, regardless of the reason given
- Confirm any onboarding cost requirement through the company's official HR contact or website
- Remember that legitimate employers cover equipment and software costs directly or through documented expense systems, not gift cards
- Stop communication and report the recruiter if gift cards are requested at any point
- If you've already purchased and shared codes, contact the retailer immediately, some can freeze balances if reported quickly
- Warn others in relevant job-seeker communities about the specific company name being used
How to report it
- Contact the gift card issuer's fraud department immediately with the card numbers to attempt a freeze
- Report the scam to LinkedIn through the profile or message report tool
- Report to your national consumer protection agency (e.g., the FTC in the US) and IC3.gov for cyber fraud
- File a police report referencing the gift card retailer, amounts, and codes if available
Frequently asked questions
Why do scammers specifically ask for gift cards instead of a bank transfer?
Gift card codes function like cash once shared, requiring no bank account or identity verification on the scammer's end, and they're typically non-refundable once redeemed. This makes them one of the easiest ways for a scammer to extract money quickly with almost no way for you to reverse it.
What should I say if a 'new employer' asks me to buy gift cards for onboarding costs?
Decline and explain that you'll only cover costs through a documented, reimbursable process or a company-provided account, since that's how legitimate employers handle onboarding expenses. If they push back or pressure you further, treat that as confirmation the offer is fraudulent and stop communication.
Can I still report this to LinkedIn even after I've already sent the gift card codes?
Yes, reporting the recruiter's profile and messages to LinkedIn is still worthwhile after the fact, since it can help get the fake profile removed and may protect other job seekers being targeted with the same script. It won't recover your money, but pairing it with a report to the gift card issuer and a fraud reporting body is still worth doing.
Can gift card funds ever be recovered once the codes are shared?
It's difficult but not always impossible; contacting the retailer's fraud line immediately with the card details can occasionally result in a freeze if the balance hasn't been spent yet.
Would a real employer ever ask a new hire to pay for anything upfront?
No legitimate employer requires a new hire to personally fund equipment, software, or training costs through gift cards; real onboarding costs are covered directly by the company or through a documented expense process.