Fake Gas Card Postcards Scam Consumers

Scammers mailing official-looking postcards are charging small fees and unauthorized amounts without delivering promised gift cards.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Credit Cards

Bold vector editorial illustration of a blank cream envelope tilted over a teal field with a coral hook-shaped lure hanging from its edge, suggesting a bait-like offer. — Scammers are mailing official-looking postcards promising free gas and grocery cards, then charging recipients small fees and unauthorized amounts without delivering the promised rewards. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Scammers are sending postcards claiming recipients qualify for free gas and grocery cards, urging them to call or visit a website to claim the reward. Recipients who pay a small processing fee report unauthorized charges and never receive the promised cards.

Why it matters

The postcards use official-looking barcodes, tracking numbers, and phrases like "final notice" to appear legitimate, making them harder to recognize as fraud. Consumers who respond can lose money both through upfront fees and through unauthorized charges on their accounts.

Consumers were asked to pay a $5 processing fee for gift cards, and one reported a total loss of $51 after an additional $46 in unauthorized charges. The number of victims and total losses nationwide have not been reported.

The players

Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau is a nonprofit organization that rates businesses and publishes consumer fraud alerts.

AARP

AARP is a nonprofit organization focused on issues affecting Americans aged 50 and older, and its name was reported as used on one fraudulent postcard.

The details

The postcards include tracking numbers, expiration dates, and customer service phone numbers, and they were reported as being sent in the name of AARP. Recipients who call or visit the listed website are asked to pay a fee to receive vouchers, but the promised cards do not arrive.

The Better Business Bureau published a warning about the fake gas and grocery card postcards on November 9, 2026.

Market Landscape

Impersonation-based postcard scams follow a pattern the Better Business Bureau has repeatedly flagged in its consumer fraud alerts. Using the names of trusted organizations such as AARP lends these mailers a credibility that makes them harder for consumers to recognize.

Consumers who receive unsolicited postcards asking for payment should not call listed numbers or visit listed websites before verifying the offer independently. Any unauthorized charges on a card account should be reported to the card issuer promptly.

The takeaway

Legitimate rewards programs do not require an upfront fee to release a gift card. Checking the sender's identity through an official phone number or website before paying any money is the simplest way to avoid this kind of scam.