TalkScams Team — educational discussion
New boss asks for gift cards before your first day — warning signs and safety checks
TalkScams Team discussion starter — an educational scam scenario, not a victim account.
What is the scam pattern?
A scammer watching new-job announcements may impersonate a manager and assign an urgent gift-card purchase as a supposed work errand. The real manager may know nothing about the messages.
Warning signs to recognize
1. An unverified contact posing as your manager asks you to send gift-card codes.
2. A recruiter cannot confirm the employer through a verified channel
How to check or protect yourself
1. Call your supervisor through a known work number before acting on unusual requests.
2. Verify the offer before supplying payment or personal data
Discuss with the community
How would you verify the recruiter and employer before sharing documents or money?
Original government advisory: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/07/new-job-how-spot-boss-imposter-scams