Is a request to pay using Google Play or App Store gift cards ever legitimate?
No. Gift cards are never a legitimate payment method for anything outside their intended app stores. Any request to pay using them is a scam.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Google Play and App Store gift cards are designed for purchasing apps, games, and digital content — not for paying debts, taxes, fines, bail, or any real-world obligation. Scammers favour them because they are irreversible, anonymous, and available at many retail stores. If a caller, texter, or online contact asks you to buy gift cards and share the codes, it is always fraud — regardless of how convincing the story is. Common cover stories include tax debt, utilities disconnection, a grandchild in trouble, tech support charges, lottery fees, or government fines. Legitimate government agencies, utilities, banks, and employers do not accept gift cards as payment.
Common red flags
- Any request to buy gift cards and share the codes as payment
- Urgency — act now to avoid arrest, disconnection, or a fine
- Caller asks you to stay on the line while you buy the cards
- Story changes when you hesitate or question the request
What to do now
- Refuse the request immediately — there is no legitimate use case
- Hang up if the request came by phone
- If you bought cards, call the card issuer immediately and report before the codes are used
- Report to your national fraud authority
Frequently asked questions
Can gift card codes be recovered if reported quickly?
If you report to the gift card issuer before the codes are redeemed, there is a chance of a refund. Act immediately — scammers redeem codes within minutes.