Postcards offering gas and grocery cards if you pay a fee first
Better Business BureauNationwide
On July 30, 2026, the Better Business Bureau warned about postcards promising gas and grocery gift cards or vouchers. BBB said Scam Tracker had received multiple reports. One, from a Northwest Georgia resident, described a mailing from "AAPP" that said $309.64 in vouchers was being held in his name. He looked it up and landed on Scam Tracker. Other people paid and then saw extra charges.
BBB quoted one report in which a relative agreed to a $5 processing fee and was then charged another $46, for $51 in all. BBB said there was no indication the promised vouchers were received. After card details are shared, BBB says people may see more unauthorized charges, get enrolled in a monthly plan, receive low-value coupons instead of cards, or find the company impossible to reach for a refund.
Red flags
- A postcard says gas or grocery vouchers are waiting, but you have to pay a processing, activation, or shipping fee first.
- The mailing uses an unfamiliar name and pushes you to call or go online immediately.
- After a small fee, more charges appear.
- Nothing of the promised value arrives, or only coupons show up.
How to protect yourself
- BBB says a real prize does not require you to pay before you receive it.
- Look up the company name with words such as BBB, reviews, or scam, and check the business profile at bbb.org Do not rely only on what is printed on the card.
- Do not give payment information because a mailing says the offer expires today.
- If you did not enter a drawing, treat an unsolicited prize postcard as a solicitation, not as winnings.
If you are hit
- Contact the card issuer, tell them the charges were not authorized, and ask about a dispute.
- Report the mailing to BBB Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker/
- Also report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov especially if money left your account.
Questions
Is Postcards offering gas and grocery cards if you pay a fee first a scam?
On July 30, 2026, the Better Business Bureau warned about postcards promising gas and grocery gift cards or vouchers. BBB said Scam Tracker had received multiple reports. One, from a Northwest Georgia resident, described a mailing from "AAPP" that said $309.64 in vouchers was being held in his name. He looked it up and landed on Scam Tracker. Other people paid and then saw extra charges. This page summarizes a public warning from Better Business Bureau dated July 30, 2026. The linked source is the record.
What should I do if I fell for it?
Contact the card issuer, tell them the charges were not authorized, and ask about a dispute. Report the mailing to BBB Scam Tracker at https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/. Also report it at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov, especially if money left your account.
Sources
- BBB Scam Alert: Don't be fooled by "free" gas and grocery card postcardsBetter Business Bureau
This summary is informational and not legal advice. If it and the linked source disagree, follow the source.
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