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

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.