Gift Card Scam

Jack’s phone buzzed and he glanced down to see a text message claiming to be from the IRS. The message threatened legal action if he did not act immediately. The scammer instructed Jack to purchase $1,000 in gift cards and forward the codes promptly to resolve his alleged tax issues.

Despite the initial shock, Jack quickly recognized some red flags. He had heard about such scams before and knew that the IRS would not demand payment through gift cards or threatening messages. Jack decided not to respond to the message.

The scammer remained persistent, sending follow-up texts, and attempting to intimidate Jack into compliance. But Jack stood firm, refusing to let the pressure sway him. Instead, he called Lake City Bank and spoke to a genuine representative. Jack relayed the attempted scam, giving as many details as he could.

Jack’s swift action not only protected himself but also potentially saved others from falling victim to the same scam by letting the bank know that scammers were on the prowl.

When in doubt, call the One Call Center at (888) 522-2265.
If you have any questions about cybersecurity, you can ask them using the form on our Contact Us webpage by visiting https://www.lakecitybank.com/contact-us/