Our Mission
MyGiftBloom is an independent educational blog dedicated to helping consumers understand prepaid cards, recognize scams, and protect themselves from financial fraud. We believe that informed consumers are empowered consumers, and that education is the best defense against the growing threat of gift card and prepaid card scams.
About the Founder
Amanda Thomas created MyGiftBloom to address the growing epidemic of prepaid card and gift card scams affecting consumers across the United States. After witnessing family members and friends fall victim to sophisticated scam operations, Amanda recognized the urgent need for accessible, straightforward consumer education.
With a background in consumer advocacy and financial education, Amanda saw that many people simply don't know how gift card scams work or what warning signs to watch for. Scammers exploit this knowledge gap, resulting in billions of dollars in losses each year. MyGiftBloom was founded to bridge that gap.
Why This Work Matters
According to the Federal Trade Commission, gift card scams have become one of the most common methods of payment requested by scammers. In 2024 alone, consumers reported losing hundreds of millions of dollars to scams involving gift cards and prepaid cards. These losses are particularly devastating because:
- Gift cards are difficult or impossible to trace once used
- Unlike credit card charges, gift card transactions typically cannot be reversed
- Many victims are elderly or vulnerable individuals
- Scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics
What We Provide
Educational Content
Clear, accessible information about how prepaid cards work, what rights consumers have, and how scams operate.
Scam Awareness
Detailed breakdowns of common scam tactics, real-world examples, and red flags to watch for.
Prevention Strategies
Practical tips and best practices for protecting yourself and your loved ones from financial fraud.
Consumer Rights
Information about federal protections, card issuer policies, and resources for victims of fraud.
Our Commitment to Accuracy
All information on MyGiftBloom is thoroughly researched and based on:
- Federal Trade Commission guidelines and consumer alerts
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations
- Published federal laws and regulations (including the CARD Act and Reg E)
- Verified reports from law enforcement and consumer protection agencies
- Industry best practices for consumer safety
We regularly update our content to reflect the latest scam tactics, regulatory changes, and consumer protection resources. However, laws and card issuer policies can change, so we encourage readers to verify specific information with official sources.
What We Don't Do
To maintain our independence and protect our readers, MyGiftBloom does not:
- Recommend specific prepaid card products or issuers
- Accept advertising or compensation from card companies
- Provide personalized financial or legal advice
- Help with individual card account issues (please contact your issuer directly)
- Guarantee the recovery of funds lost to scams
- Sell or distribute gift cards
Get Involved
Protecting consumers from scams is a community effort. Here's how you can help:
- Share your story: If you've experienced a scam attempt (successful or not), sharing your story can help others recognize similar tactics.
- Spread awareness: Share our articles with friends and family, especially vulnerable populations like elderly relatives.
- Report scams: Always report scam attempts to the FTC, your local law enforcement, and the card issuer.
- Stay informed: Sign up for alerts from the FTC and other consumer protection agencies.
Contact Us
We welcome questions, feedback, and suggestions for topics you'd like us to cover. While we can't provide individual advice or help with specific card issues, we're always interested in hearing from our readers.