Gift card fraud

[bobl127]

I recieved a $200. dollar Ebay Gift Card for Christmas and yesterday (2/16) wanted to make a purchase. I scratched off the covering to expose the redemption code and proceeded to checkout. The code was rejected so I notified Ebay and recieved an EMail stating that the balance was $17? I never used this card and the condition of it was perfect. Unfortunately the card was purchased at Wallgreens with cash. Ebay recommended I contact local law enforcement? The card was new.  I know the money is lost but I believe the issue is with Ebay. How could the redemption number be used if the scratch off was untouched?

[pf9000]

Maybe you can visit your local Walgreens and ask to talk to the Manager.

[bcmike0_1]

Unfortunately this is a very common scam with gift cards; it’s not an eBay problem per se. criminals will shop lift the cards from the racks before they get purchased, scratch off the material over the pin and take note/register to get updates of it, then replace the material to make it look new and put it back on the rack. They get notified when someone buys the card and loads it and pretty much drain the funds or make a purchase right away. It probably happened with a bunch of cards at that Walgreens. I think if you have a gift receipt, Walgreens should refund hopefully but a police report isn’t a bad idea either.

[buyselljack2016]

I think you have it except for the Walgreens refund part.

[kensgiftshop]

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@bobl127 wrote:

How could the redemption number be used if the scratch off was untouched?

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Thieves take the card and get the numbers, then replace the scratch off part with a fake one.

As soon as money is added to the card, they spend as much as they can as fast as they can.

[bobl127]

I'm leaning more towards someone who has access to the redemption numbers (at the ebay facility?) just needs to record the numbers before the card is sent into circulation. The scratch off did not show signs of tampering. PS there was $0.17 left on the card not $17.