Nift.com: Legitimate Gift Card Service But Data Harvester - Collects Your Info Through Partner Apps

Key Findings

The Pattern

• →Real gift card company (legitimate business)
• →Partners with apps to distribute gift cards
• →Collects email from partner app users
• →Partners: ParkMobile, Ticketmaster, GasBuddy, Tinder, HP, Shell, Afterpay
• →Claims 12,000+ merchants but shows only 6-8
• →Gift values misleading (discounts already exist elsewhere)
• →Requires claiming gift before seeing merchant list
• →Limited geographic coverage (mostly urban areas)
• →Low Trustpilot rating (many complaints about data collection)

Red Flags

• ⚠Warning: Data harvesting: users discover Nift got email from specific app (proof of data selling)
• ⚠Warning: No clear consent: users surprised to receive Nift emails from partner apps
• ⚠Warning: Misleading values: claims $30 but actual discount is 20% off item already on sale
• ⚠Warning: Limited merchants: 12,000+ claimed but only handful available per area
• ⚠Warning: Phishing setup: name 'GONIFT' contains 'GONIF' (Yiddish for thief—intentional?)
• ⚠Warning: Can't use without signup: can't browse merchants without providing info
• ⚠Warning: Unsubscribe difficult: users report hard to stop email spam
• ⚠Warning: Low trustworthiness: Trustpilot low rating, BBB complaints
• ⚠Warning: Partner apps don't disclose data sharing clearly
• ⚠Warning: Subscription traps: Afterpay gift claimed to include subscription (users surprised)

What To Do

1. 1DO NOT sign up just for the gift (data harvesting not worth small discount)
2. 2If you receive Nift email from app: assume your email was sold by partner
3. 3Check what partner apps you use (ParkMobile, Ticketmaster, GasBuddy, etc)
4. 4If sensitive about privacy: avoid apps that partner with Nift
5. 5If you claim gift: check actual value vs merchant's regular price
6. 6Read T&C before claiming (watch for hidden subscriptions)
7. 7Use temporary email if you claim (to reduce spam)
8. 8Request Nift delete your data (CCPA/GDPR if applicable)
9. 9Monitor email for phishing attempts using your data
10. 10Report to FTC if suspicious activity after signup

What NOT To Do

• ✕Don't expect great discounts (often already available elsewhere cheaper)
• ✕Don't assume 12,000+ merchants available (only 6-8 per area)
• ✕Don't ignore data harvesting (your email is the product)
• ✕Don't sign up just for one gift (not worth giving data)
• ✕Don't trust partner apps with your data
• ✕Don't use credit card (safer: use disposable payment if forced)
• ✕Don't assume unsubscribing works (users report continued emails)
• ✕Don't ignore subscription clauses in gifts
• ✕Don't share more info than minimally required
• ✕Don't use same password as sensitive accounts

Copy-Paste Script

Got Nift email from ParkMobile app. Claimed $30 gift, found it was 20% off item already on sale 60% elsewhere. Not worth the data harvesting.

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