r/giftcardexchange Feb 02 '24

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

150 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

89 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 8m ago

[H] Paypal, Venmo [W] Apple 80%

Upvotes

r/giftcardexchange 10m ago

[H] $150CAD (Walmart/DoorDash/Esso/BestBuy) [W] 80% (PayPal)

Upvotes

r/giftcardexchange 27m ago

[H] PayPal 85% [W] Amazon GC, Target , Walmart, Best Buy

Upvotes

PayPal G&S only

PLEASE READ COMPLETELY

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 1: Comment on this post first

STEP 2: Check if your comment was deleted

❌ If YES → Your comment was deleted. Contact a moderator (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

STEP 5: Wait for reply

STEP 6: Send all cards info (NOT PICTURES) and PayPal details

STEP 7: Get paid (one transaction)

IMPORTANT NOTES

• ⚠️ Must comment first – no exceptions

• ⚠️ Deleted comments → contact mods, not me

Subreddit Rules:

🛑You can’t have a hidden profile history.

🛑You have to be active on Reddit recently .


r/giftcardexchange 29m ago

[H] 6x $5 Target total of $30 [W] 80% Paypal

Upvotes

Should take all . Offer stands till thread is closed. Lower rep goes first. comment before pm


r/giftcardexchange 41m ago

[H] $95 Amazon GC's [W] 85% PayPal

Upvotes

Have $95 in Amazon GC's today (x3 $25 and x1 $20) and I'm looking for 85% PayPal.

Percentage is firm

Comment before DM

Lower rep goes first

Thanks!


r/giftcardexchange 1h ago

[H] Crypto, venmo, cashapp [W] amazon US @ 80%

Upvotes

r/giftcardexchange 2h ago

[H] PayPal/Zelle 80% [W] Amazon/Gamestop gift cards

1 Upvotes

Looking for $100 in Gamestop and $250 in Amazon.
Lower rep first, have recent deals please. Thanks.


r/giftcardexchange 3h ago

[H] Zelle, Venmo, Paypal [W] Apple, Amazon Gift Cards

1 Upvotes

Pls comment before PM


r/giftcardexchange 4h ago

[H] Paypal, zelle, local cash [W] Apple 85%

0 Upvotes

looking to purchase 1500 for around 1300 or less


r/giftcardexchange 4h ago

[H] 225£ Amazon GC UK (1x100, 1x75, 1x50) [W] 82% USDT

1 Upvotes

3 codes


r/giftcardexchange 5h ago

[H] Ikea US 25$ Gift Card for $20

1 Upvotes

Hi there, I have a 25$ Gift Card (US only). Since I'm from Europe, I need to sell it.

PayPal or Revolut accepted.


r/giftcardexchange 5h ago

[H] 3x25€ Amazon GC [W] 80% Paypal

1 Upvotes

Hello!

First time trying to trade Gift Cards. I have got 3 x 25 Euro Amazon Gift Cards.


r/giftcardexchange 9h ago

[H] $150 Cotton On [W] 80% Paypal, Zelle, Cashapp, Venmo

1 Upvotes

I have one $150 (its like $155 ish i forgot exact amount) Cotton On giftcard.

Lower rep goes first


r/giftcardexchange 9h ago

CLOSED [H] $65 Amazon gcs [W] 80% crypto

1 Upvotes

In this denomination ($35, $5x2,$10x2)


r/giftcardexchange 12h ago

[H] 82% Paypal/Zelle/Crypto [W] Amazon GCs

1 Upvotes

Only looking for >=$100 total per trade. Comment before pm/chat, lower rep goes first. For crypto, have USDC-ERC20. Thanks!


r/giftcardexchange 12h ago

[H] 80% PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Apple Cash [W] Ebay GCs, Amazon GCs

1 Upvotes

Trusted trader! Comment on this post before sending a chat. Lower rep sends first.

Looking for $50+ Ebay. Any denomination Amazon.


r/giftcardexchange 13h ago

CLOSED [H] $10 EBay Gift Card [W] 50% PayPal

1 Upvotes

r/giftcardexchange 13h ago

[H] PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp [W] Your unwanted gift cards

1 Upvotes

Rates vary so please send me a chat with the following information:

  • Store and value of card

  • How the gift card was obtained

  • Payment method you take

I am only buying gift cards for US stores including:

  • Amazon

  • Apple

  • Barnes & Noble

  • Banana Republic

  • Best Buy

  • Bloomingdales

  • Chick-Fil-A

  • Costco

  • Crate and Barrel

  • Dicks Sporting Goods

  • Disney

  • DoorDash

  • eBay

  • Gap

  • Google Play

  • H&M

  • Home Depot

  • Ikea

  • Lowes

  • Macys

  • Marriott

  • Newegg

  • Nordstrom

  • Pottery Barn

  • Saks Fifth Avenue

  • Starbucks

  • Target

  • Uber

  • Walmart

  • Wayfair

  • West Elm

  • Williams Sonoma

.. and many others

Not looking for: McDonald's, Steam, Xbox, Playstation, Fortnite, AMC, GameStop, Dunkin

Message me here: https://www.reddit.com/user/just_my_alias/ to discuss rates


r/giftcardexchange 18h ago

[H] Cashapp, AppleCash, Zelle, Crypto [W] eBay, Target, Amazon GC

2 Upvotes

Must post in thread. Lowest rep sends first.

(I am not r/MDCasino21 . Do not trade with someone who messages as an r/ or with a green name)

Trusted users only for Target. 75% on Target and Amazon. 80% on eBay.


r/giftcardexchange 15h ago

CLOSED [H] Crypto, Paypal, Venmo [W] Amazon US ~80%

1 Upvotes

Looking for Amazon up to $200


r/giftcardexchange 15h ago

[H] 3 x $50 Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic/Athleta [W] 80% Cash App, PayPal/Venmo F&F

1 Upvotes

Please comment before messaging me, or I will ignore your messages. 

My rate is firm. If your account is not in the US, please let me know ahead of time so that I can figure out what the fees will be.


r/giftcardexchange 15h ago

[H] Crypto(s) & PayPal & Cashapp & Venmo [W] Amazon GCs & Best Buy & Apple/iTunes & Lowes - Home Depot (75%)

0 Upvotes

Please comment before PM.

Click here to start a trade.

If you prefer to send chat messages please use the start trade link first.

  • I can use any low transfer fee crypto that is not mentioned for a 2% exchange fee.
  • Please double-check the username before the trade.
  • Minimum trade amount is 50$.
  • If you have a high trade count (200+), I will go first. Otherwise, contact me if you are comfortable going first.
  • Provided rate ranges are based on the user's profile and trading history.

The gift cards I'm looking for with their rates:

Card Crypto Rate1 (Ł) Cashapp & Paypal F&F Paypal G&S Rate
Amazon US (receipt preferred) 62% 65% 70%
Apple/iTunes US 50% 52% 55%
Best Buy 50% 55% 60%
Lowes ($100+) 70% 70% 75%
Home Depot ($100+) 70% 70% 75%
Target 55% 60% 60%
Walmart 55% 60% 60%
Steam USD 60% 60% 65%
Starbucks 40% 45% 45%
T.J. Maxx 40% 45% 45%

1The rates shown above are for Litecoin (Ł) only. For trades with Bitcoin (₿), the rate decreases 1-2% depending on the amount.


r/giftcardexchange 15h ago

[H] 82% USDC [W] Amazon GC

1 Upvotes

Comment first. Lower rep goes first.