Gift cards are a common target for scammers — both when buying, selling, and receiving them. Knowing the red flags keeps your money safe whether you're swapping on Swapio or anywhere else.
1. Pay us first, then we'll buy your card
Legitimate buyers never ask you to pay a fee upfront to sell your card. Swapio shows your offer before you submit and only deducts the 5% service fee from your payout — you never send money to us.
2. Send the code before you see an offer
If a platform or person asks for your card number and PIN before showing what you'll receive, walk away. On Swapio, you see your exact cash amount first, then submit details.
3. IRS, police, or utility company gift card payments
No government agency or real utility company demands payment via gift cards. If someone on the phone tells you to buy cards and read them the codes, it's a scam — hang up.
4. Too-good-to-be-true rates
Offers of 100% face value or "no fees ever" from unknown sites are often bait. Once you send the code, you get nothing. A transparent fee structure — like Swapio's flat 5% — is a sign of a real business.
5. Pressure to act immediately
Scammers create fake urgency: "this offer expires in 10 minutes" or "your card will be locked." Take your time, compare options, and use platforms with real support and clear terms.
How Swapio protects you
- Encrypted submissions on every page
- Cards verified before any payout is sent
- Order codes (SWP-XXXXXX) for every submission
- Support available through our Reach Us page
Stay skeptical, read the offer, and only submit when you're comfortable. If something feels off, it probably is.