August 11, 2026Est. digital edition
Scams & Safety

Why a government agency will never ask for a gift card

A quick guide to the pressure tactics behind the fastest-growing frauds aimed at older adults — and the one question that stops most of them.

By Karen Whitfield·Safety & Fraud ReporterPublished ·5 min read
Urgency and secrecy are the two hallmarks of a scam call.
Urgency and secrecy are the two hallmarks of a scam call.

A quick guide to the pressure tactics behind the fastest-growing frauds aimed at older adults — and the one question that stops most of them. The full text of this report is part of our expanding edition and will appear here in this template.

Sources & references

  • Official program guidance and enrollment materials as cited in the article text.
  • State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counseling overview.

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