Consumer Alert
Scammers push people to pay with iTunes gift cards
One thing we know about scammers — they want money, and they want it fast. That’s why, whatever the con they’re running, they usually ask people to pay a certain way. They want to make it easy for themselves to get the money — and nearly impossible for you to get it back.
Their latest method? iTunes gift cards. To convince you to pay, they might pretend to be with the IRS and say you’ll be arrested if you don’t pay back taxes right now. Or pose as a family member or online love interest who needs your help fast. But as soon as you put money on a card and share the code with them, the money’s gone for good.
If you’re not shopping at the iTunes store, you shouldn’t be paying with an iTunes gift card. Other payment methods scammers might ask for include Amazon gift cards, PayPal, reloadable cards like MoneyPak, Reloadit, or Vanilla, or by wiring money through services like Western Union or MoneyGram. Government offices won’t require you to use these payment methods.
If you get targeted by a scam like this, report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
Want to know more about avoiding scams? Read How to Avoid a Scam
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In reply to On Monday I got scam from the by ignaciacatalan90
In reply to My husband was taken for by So Sad
Since this scam has been going on for years using iTunes cards. One would think that Apple with all of their computer skills would be able to set up a program to monitor any large consecutive redeems into an account. 2k, 4k, 10k redeems in a matter of minutes. Not normal and they should be able to be flagged as suspicions.
Retailers should also have warning signs telling of these scams posted where these types of cards are sold to help protect the consumer. Speaking from my own account of being scammed for $4000.00 going for another $6000.00 when the manager of the seconds store came out and told me of the scam.
She made it a policy on her own to get managers approval on any large gift card purchases. When speaking with corporate I said she should be commended and asked why this was not a corporate policy at all stores. Find it hard to believe that Apple cannot trace the money or I.P.s of these scammers. They have to lead somewhere.
In reply to Since this scam has been by Got scammed
Thank you for sharing your comment. Please also report this to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
The comments you put here on the blog don't go into the law enforcement database.
In reply to Thank you for sharing your by FTC Staff
Bridget, do you work for the FTC? If so, could you please contact me? I am an attorney in NJ. Thank you.
In reply to Bridget, do you work for the by Julie
This page explains how to contact the FTC.
In reply to Since this scam has been by Got scammed
In reply to Advance Cash America sent me by Moneygirl
If you’re not shopping at the iTunes store, you shouldn’t be paying with an iTunes gift card.
Please file a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
In reply to My 85 year old mother was by Woofie3131
In reply to This isn't Apple's by spam987
In reply to My 85 year old mother was by Woofie3131
In reply to i was contacted by a loan by vandamnationrvd
Sounds like a scam. Please report what happened at FTC.gov/complaint. The details you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
In reply to i was contacted by a loan by vandamnationrvd
In reply to I just got scammed 1.400.00 by Wol
You could contact Apple Customer Support. They may be able to help you get a refund from the retail card seller when funds are still on the cards. Apple Customer Support may ask you to provide a police report and other documents, like a receipt for the cards. Apple may not make refunds directly, but may refer you back to the retailer, and work to contact the retailer about a refund.
Please report your experience to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The details you provide will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
In reply to I was scammed out of 2000.00 by I should have …
Thank you for sharing your experience. Please go to ftc.gov/complaint to report this. The details you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
In addition, when it comes to dealing with debt, you have options. Find out what you can do, and get tips for avoiding scams. Please see the FTC articles, Coping with Debt and Choosing a Credit Counselor.
In reply to Unfortunately i became victim by JP
You could contact Apple Customer Support. They may be able to help you get a refund from the retail card seller when funds are still on the cards. Apple Customer Support may ask you to provide a police report and other documents, like a receipt for the cards. Apple may not make refunds directly, but may refer you back to the retailer, and work to contact the retailer about a refund.
In reply to Hello do the us federal grant by Adritap16
This sounds like a scam. The federal government is not giving people grants, or putting money in people's bank accounts. If someone says you will get money, but you have to give him money first, it's probably a scam. If you send him money, you will probably lose it. If you tell him your bank account number, he can take money out.
In reply to This sounds like a scam. The by FTC Staff
In reply to They are trying this with me by ANEL
Some scammers make a list of people they ripped off, then call them back and pretend they'll help you 'recover what you lost.' It's called a refund and recovery scam.
If someone says they're from a government agency that will recover your lost money if you pay them, report them immediately to the FTC.
In reply to Ok I have a very important by Tyhisha L
It's probably a scam. The government is not giving out grants.
The people who called you are probably scammers who want you to send iTunes codes, so they can use them or resell them. Once you tell someone the code from an iTunes card, he takes control of it. You can't get your money back.
If you tell him your bank account number because he says he'll deposit money, he can take money from your account. If you send him your personal information or copies of your documents he could use that for identity theft.
This article about government grant scams tells you more.
In reply to I got scammed by the IRS scam by Screw Apple
I'm sorry this happened to you. You can help law enforcement by reporting to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations. It helps law enforcement see the size of a problem.
You may want to report what happened to the corporate customer service staff of the store where you bought the card.
In reply to I got scammed by the IRS scam by Screw Apple
My 23 year old daughter just was subject to this Terrorist scam. They had her on the phone for 2-3 hours and despite her knowning that it wasn't feeling right, threatened her to the point of having her drive down to the grocery store and get $800 (all the money she has) put onto 2 iTunes gift cards.
Every time she tried to get off the phone (to call us) they threatened 7 years in jail, fines going from $3K up to $70K. They were still on the phone when she drove to my office and came in nearly a wreck as they continued to threaten her that she still needed the balance of the money.
My husband and I spent the rest of the morning/afternoon with her and the police, the bank, the store, iTunes support. iTunes representative stated that the money had transferred to China. She also stated that this was her 8th call like this today. Pure terrorism and theft. We will file a complaint but the county authorities stated that they will do nothing realistically. How can we help shut this down and put these people away. Apple needs to figure a way to protect their cards now that thieves have figured a way to use their cards. I'm sure they do not want this publicity. How can we, the victims help?
In reply to My 23 year old daughter just by Something Need…
You can help law enforcement by reporting to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The details you give go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations nationwide. When people file reports, it helps law enforcement spot patterns and trends in the scams.
If your daughter shared any personal information and is worried a scammer might use it, she can read about warning signs of identity theft.
You may also want to report this to the corporate customer service department of the store where your daughter bought the cards, or ask the company to educate front line clerks about the scam.
If your daughter wants to share her story with local media, you could contact your local media’s call for action lines.
In reply to My 23 year old daughter just by Something Need…
In reply to I had a similar experience by ANav
You can find out how to protect your personal information at IdentityTheft.gov. You can report identity theft, or get tips on how to place a credit freeze or fraud alert on your credit reports.