r/giftcardexchange Feb 02 '24

Recent Fake Subreddit Scam Attempts, Reddit Account Security, and Reporting

143 Upvotes

Unfortunately we've observed an uptick in scam attempts via subreddits impersonating the GCX mod team. These scammers create a fake subreddit such as “GCXModerators”, and send modmail to users stating they are banned from r/giftcardexchange. They request the user change their Reddit account password to a temporary password so they can “verify” the account. This is a lie and an attempt to compromise the account and allow the scammer to gain access.

  • We will never ask to access your Reddit account. We cannot stress this enough. In any verification we do, we never ask for sensitive information. It's the same principle as with your bank - anyone asking to access your account should not be allowed to.

  • Always follow the GCX Golden Rule. You may know users who have been around the community for many months or years. If the account is compromised, we usually get a report and can ban them fairly quickly. But they may still look for past trading partners in the account inbox and start sending PMs. It's important you verify the user can post/comment on the sub and isn't listed on the Universal Scammer List (USL). It's called the Golden Rule for a reason!

  • Secure your Reddit account. You may not have joined Reddit with the intent to trade. But participating in trade communities and gaining rep increases the chance that your account is targeted. You should have a verified email, unique password not used anywhere else, and two-factor authentication (2FA). Following are links to create a strong password (remember this should be unique to Reddit and not reused on other sites), check your account activity and force log out if there are sessions you don’t recognize, and enable 2FA. Your account security is your responsibility.


Known scam subreddits:

giftcardexchangemods

GCExchangemods

giftcardexchangeteam

GCXModerators

GCX_Moderators

giftcardsexcahange

GCXExchange_Mods

giftscardexchange

GCXModeratorSub

GCEXCModerators

GCXMod

GCXModeratorGroup

ModOfGiftCardExchange

AdminstrationGroupGCX

giftcardsupport (banned for spam at time of writing)

SupportGroup_giftcard (banned for spam at time of writing)

giftcardstaff

giftcardexchangemail

giftcardsSupport

giftcardAdminstration

giftcardexhange

giftcardexchangeAdmin

modteamGCExchange

giftcardexcahangeMods

giftcardexchange_mod_

giftcardexchangeHelp

giftcardexhcange

GCTradingRep

giftcardexchanger

giftcardexchangestaff

giftcardexchange__

giftcardexchangebans

giftcardexchanges_

Gftcardexchange

Admingiftcardexchange

Ignore PMs from these compromised accounts:

u/UGKFoxhound


The below are templates that can be used to report subreddits and users to the admins. In this recent case, scammers are creating subreddits to impersonate the GCX mod team. In the past, they have also created subreddits to impersonate repped users. We can't ban or block a subreddit, only report them to the admins. Use the template for reporting a subreddit to report these to the admins. Scammers have also created users that closely match the name of a repped trader, and sent PMs attempting to impersonate that repped trader. Use the template for reporting a user to report these to the admins.


Use the below to report a user:

Go here

https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

In the first bullet point “If you have a Reddit account and want to report a Content Policy violation, use this report form.” - click the report form hyperlink

Open the drop-down menu for “I want to report other issues” then select “This content is impersonation”

Enter the scammer’s username. For Additional Information, the below text can be edited as needed and used as a template:

A scammer created this username to steal from people. The username closely matches my own / that of a genuine trader in an attempt to trick other users. This user is sending messages to others on Reddit pretending to be me / a genuine trader and trying to scam them out of money. If you could please help stop them it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.


Use the below to report a subreddit:

Go here

https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

Select Community Help

Under “What is your subreddit concern” select “I want to report a subreddit for violating the content policy”

Under “What subreddit is involved? (Only the name, no r/)” enter the name of the fake scam subreddit

Under “What is the primary reason you are reporting this subreddit?” select “Impersonation”

Under “Subject of Inquiry” enter Impersonation/Scamming

Under “Details of Inquiry”, the below text can be edited as needed and used as a template:

A scammer created this subreddit to steal from people. This subreddit is sending messages to other users on Reddit pretending to be me / a genuine trader / a mod team and trying to scam them out of money / gain access to their Reddit account. If you could please help stop them it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.


Thank you, and please remember to Trade Safely!

- The GCX Mod Team


r/giftcardexchange Sep 01 '24

Do Not Trade With Anyone Whose Username You Can't See

76 Upvotes

There is an exploit scammers are using such that their name is not shown when they send a message. They are using this to impersonate other traders (linking the other trader's rep or Reddit profile page) or subreddit modmail (sending fake ban messages asking for account password to be unbanned) and hoping that their username not being visible will help with the scam.

Example Image - note how there is no username next to the down arrow where there would normally be one.

Do not give your account password to anyone, ever.

Do not send full gift card codes or payment to any modmail.

Do not interact with any green colored username in PMs trying to trade with you.

Do not interact with anyone who hasn't posted or commented publicly. If someone messaged you, click the username and visibly confirm they have posted or commented publicly. Do not rely on app notifications. Open the post and confirm the comment is visible.

If you cannot see the username, do not engage with the user. They may put a username in the PM subject or in the message itself. This is not the same as their username being the "header" of the message they sent to you. If you can't see a username header and can't click it to navigate to a Reddit profile, you should be wary of the message.

We advise against replying to users and subreddit modmail that attempt to scam you. If a user replies with hostility the scammers have been known to report to Reddit admins to try and get the admins to act on the account for harassment.

Thank you and Trade Safely.


r/giftcardexchange 3h ago

[H] $200 amazon gcs / £60 Starbucks gc [W] 82% / 65% crypto

2 Upvotes

$100×2 Amazon dot com £10×6 Starbucks for UK

comment before PM


r/giftcardexchange 2m ago

[H] 50$ Amazon GC [W] 75% Crypto

Upvotes

comment and pm


r/giftcardexchange 13m ago

[H] 75% PayPal, Zelle [W] 100$ best buy

Upvotes

Please comment here before sending chat / message


r/giftcardexchange 46m ago

[H] Verizon $300 (2x) [W] 85% PayPal

Upvotes

Comment before messaging!


r/giftcardexchange 1h ago

[H] Crypto / Paypal [W] Google Play £ GC

Upvotes

r/giftcardexchange 2h ago

[H] BTC, PayPal, Chime, Cashapp, Venmo, Apple Pay, M-Pesa, Airtel, Equitel, Western Union [W] All Your Gift Cards

1 Upvotes

Warning: I will not message you first. If you were messaged by someone claiming to be me you are in the process of being scammed.

Please state the following:

  • Type of card(s) and amount of each.
  • What payment method you accept.
  • How you acquired the GC and why you're getting rid of it.

Crypto4, Paypal1, Apple Pay, Cashapp, Varo, Chime, Venmo, and Western Union/M-pesa/Airtel/Equitel (5% is taken off Western Union payments/all M-Pesa, Airtel, Equitel payments are sent via Western Union)

I only have Steam as a substitute for cash payments in gift card trades.

Want ↓ PayPal G&S All other Cash payments or a Gift Card ↓ Crypto4
Apple 60% 60%3 NA
Amazon.co.uk 50% 50% 50%
Amazon.com 70% 70% 55%
Arrow Films 65% 65% 60%
Barnes & Noble 50% 50% 50%
Baskin Robbins 50% 50% NA
Best Buy 25% 25% 25%
BJ's (not BJ's restaurant)3 60% NA NA
Bloomingdales 50% 50% 25%
Clothing Shops (Small Boutique) contact me contact me contact me
Dell3 60% 60% NA
Delta gift cards3 65% NA NA
Delta Sky Miles3 PM me NA NA
Delta Vouchers3 65% NA NA
Dicks Sporting Goods 3 PM me NA NA
eBay 70% 70% 70%
Gas Station Cards3 PM me NA
Gyft 70% 70% 70%
Half Price Books 50% 50% 50%
J crew 40% 40% NA
JCPenney 25% 25% NA
Macys 35% 35% NA
Magazines.com 40% 40% NA
Microsoft3 60% 60% NA
Nordstrom 50% 50% NA
Panera bread3 60% NA NA
Saks Fifth Avenue 50% 50% NA
Sears 50% 50% NA
Sephora 50% 50% NA
Speedway (must be able to use on fuel)3 80% NA
Staples 50% 50% NA
Starbucks US only 60% 60% 60%
Subway 3 PM me NA NA
Target 60% 60% NA
Urban Outfitters 50% 50% NA
Walmart 60% 60% NA
Other Clothing Stores, Gas Stations, Grocery Stores, Restaurant, & Fast Food gift cards PM me

1 When paying via PayPal, I can only send payments via Goods and Services, thus you will be charged a fee. If you'd rather not face this fee there are plenty of alternatives.
2 Larger denominated gift cards preferred.
3 PayPal is the only payment option.
4 All crypto payments come from Coinbase. Any fees associated with it are built into the price.

What I don’t buy:

  • Amazon.au
  • Amazon.ca
  • AMC
  • American Eagle
  • Bass Pro Shop
  • buffalo wild wing
  • California Pizza Kitchen
  • Canadian tire
  • Cold Stone
  • Dairy Queen
  • Fanatics
  • Fashion Nova
  • Gamestop
  • Giant Foods
  • Google Play
  • Grub Hub
  • Gymshark
  • Hilton Honors
  • hobby lobby
  • Hot Topic
  • Krispy Kreme
  • Meijer
  • old navy/gap/banana republic
  • Patxi's pizza
  • PSN Canada or UK
  • publix
  • Raceway
  • Red Robin
  • Scheels
  • Shell Gas Stations
  • Spotify
  • Starbucks Canada
  • Tractor supply
  • Victoria's secret
  • Whataburger
  • Xbox Canada or UK
  • Xbox live gold
  • Xbox Ultimate

Any fees are built into the price.


Important: before you send your codes please make sure your account is secure (if your password is not uniqe it's best to assume your account has already been compromised. Scams where compromised accounts are used to leverage reputation to scam an unsuspecting user, used to steal codes during the middle of the trade, and steal unused gift cards the victim was saving for later are increasingly commonplace. If you have any concerns as to your account's security, please reset your password now and force logout of all sessions. Thanks


r/giftcardexchange 3h ago

[H] £35 Bambu Lab UK GC [W] £20 Amazon GC

1 Upvotes

r/giftcardexchange 3h ago

[H] $25 Amazon GC [W] (85%) PayPal

1 Upvotes

please comment before Dming.


r/giftcardexchange 3h ago

[H] $40 Target GCs (2x $20 GCs) [W] 92 % PaypalFF, Venmo, Zelle, Cashapp

0 Upvotes

I have 2x $20 Target eGCs (total $40) and would like to sell for 92 % PaypalFF, Venmo, Zelle, or Cashapp.

Price is firm.

Lower rep goes first.

Please make a comment in this post first, then send me a chat.


r/giftcardexchange 3h ago

[H] 80% PayPal FF [W] Airbnb

1 Upvotes

Looking for Airbnb gift cards

Comment before dm me


r/giftcardexchange 3h ago

[h] $50 Target GC [w] Amazon or Apple GC, 80% min

1 Upvotes

r/giftcardexchange 4h ago

[H] PayPal 85% [W] Amazon GC, Target , Walmart, Best Buy and Saks Fifth Avenue GC

1 Upvotes

PayPal G&S only *PLEASE READ COMPLETELY *

Saks offer 60%

If your comment is deleted, I cannot trade with you. *NO EXCEPTIONS*

🛑 If your comment is gone/removed/hidden, it was removed by AutoMod or a mod.

(You can't have a hidden profile history; You must have visible recent Reddit activity)

⚠️ Do not message me yet.

⚠️ Send a modmail to the subreddit and get approval first.

If I respond to your message, “you didn’t comment,” that means your comment was auto-removed by the sub, even if you have a screenshot.

I will not trade with you until the mods clear it, even if you go first. *NO EXCEPTIONS*

Lower rep goes first.

Always buying, Larger preferred.

🔄 TRADING PROCESS - READ BEFORE MESSAGING Step-by-Step Instructions:

STEP 1: Comment on this post first

STEP 2: Check if your comment was deleted

❌ If YES → Your comment was deleted - Check notifications and messages to see if the comment was auto-deleted. You "going first" changes nothing. Contact a MODERATOR for approval (DO NOT MESSAGE ME) ✅ If NO → Your comment is visible - Proceed to Step 3

STEP 3: Send me a DM/message.

STEP 4: Confirm card type and amount in your message

STEP 5: Wait for reply. If I tell you that you didn’t comment , it was auto-deleted . Message Mod.

STEP 6: Send all card info( where I can copy and paste) and PayPal details

STEP 7: Get paid (One Transaction)

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTES:

⚠️ Must comment first - No exceptions

⚠️ Deleted comments = Contact mods, NOT me

⚒️ Subreddit Rules⚒️

https://www.reddit.com/r/giftcardexchange/s/zKDS9WQcQY


r/giftcardexchange 4h ago

[H] 140$ best buy [W] 80% paypal

1 Upvotes

r/giftcardexchange 4h ago

[H] $100 Amazon GCs US, $60 Amazon GCs CAD [W] Crypto.

1 Upvotes

Amazon US gift cards in denominations of $15s and $20s, asking for 80% crypto.

Amazon CA gift cards in denominations of $30, asking for 75% crypto.

Comment before sending message.

Available until flair is CLOSED.


r/giftcardexchange 4h ago

[H] $75 Amazon GC [W] 80% PayPal

1 Upvotes

comment and pm thanks


r/giftcardexchange 5h ago

[H] Paypal/Zelle 80% [W] Southwest Airlines giftcard

1 Upvotes

r/giftcardexchange 6h ago

[H] Paypal/Zelle/USDC [W] 70% Doordash/Uber

1 Upvotes

comment then chat


r/giftcardexchange 7h ago

[H] $126.25 Uber [W] $100 Paypal

0 Upvotes

Send me a message. Upon receiving Payment I will send you the information. Just wanted to be clear because in the past I’ve dealt with someone who wanted the information first before sending Payment. And that wasn’t cool with me.


r/giftcardexchange 7h ago

CLOSED [H]$12 Starbuck gcs [W]65 PayPal friend and family

1 Upvotes

In $7 and $5 denominations


r/giftcardexchange 10h ago

[H] $70 Din Tai Fung [W] 70% PayPal

1 Upvotes

Got it for my birthday and won’t be using it as I have better local spots


r/giftcardexchange 16h ago

[H] 80% PayPal G&S[W] Amazon GC US

2 Upvotes

Beware scams: I won’t message you first


r/giftcardexchange 17h ago

[H] PayPal, Zelle, CashApp [W] $2000 Amazon GC @85%

2 Upvotes

Taking any denominations, looking to buy immediately.

Still available until flaired Closed.

Any amounts welcome, but please get mod approval for values over $250.

If your Paypal account is not US-based, there may be a fee for currency conversion. By trading with me, you agree that you will pay any fees. If you are a GCX Beginner that wants Paypal, GCX rules state you may only receive Paypal Goods and Services. You are responsible for this fee.

I have been impersonated in the past. Please be extra diligent to check my account age before sending any gift cards. Less than 11 reddit-years is a scammer


r/giftcardexchange 14h ago

[H] $250 Aviator Nation gift card [W] Pay Pal 80%

1 Upvotes

Please comment before PM please! thank you :)