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 My disabled son was scammed by grannie
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 This just happened to me with by justn
In reply to I've gotten scammed on a by BlackLumberJac…
You can call Apple Support at 1-800-275-2273 (you may have to spend some time on hold). Tell them what happened and ask if they can disable the card. Also, go back to the store that sold you the card and talk with their customer service staff. And when you hear from someone who wants you to send an iTunes card, please tell the FTC.
In reply to You can call Apple Support at by FTC Staff
In reply to Thank GOD today i got my by saam
Hey Saam. Can I ask how you went through that process? Thank you.
In reply to Hey Saam. Can I ask how you by stupidlyscammed
In reply to It happened to me today and by sachin.s
If you give someone the codes from an iTunes card, he takes control of the value on the card. He can use it or sell it. After someone redeems the codes, you can't get your money back.
You can reach Apple Support at 1-800-275-2273.
Please report what happened to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
In reply to If you give someone the codes by FTC Staff
In reply to On Thursday I got scam from by Raghav
You can call Apple Support at 1-800-275-2273 (you may have to spend some time on hold). Tell them what happened and ask if they can disable the card. Also, go back to the store that sold you the card and talk with their customer service staff. And when you hear from someone who wants you to send an iTunes card, please tell the FTC.
In reply to I am very heated; these by Vulnerable Law…
Please report what happened to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
In reply to I am very heated; these by Vulnerable Law…
I saw a post from retailer that says there are signs posted well if CVS posts them I don't know where that would be
an not only one but two clerks one being a manager said nothing of possible scam.
I have not used the card and luckily caught what was going on and reported to eBay. I was told there was no way to get my money refunded but I have hope now that I see at least 2 others have. I will contact police and CVS and see if I can get money back. I'm not into technical stuff such as internet and know nothing about online purchasing but at my husbands request I bought this card for vehicle purchase and even as I was buying the card I mentioned to the clerk I've never bought iTunes cards before as I don't know what can be purchased with them. I got an education and thankfully scammer got nothing no personal info or card info. She asked for 3 $500 cards luckily I only purchased one and did not scratch off the back. Apple really should step up for reimbursement or stop selling this particular card that I've found no one would want even as a gift.
In reply to I saw a post from retailer by Almost Scammed…
Please report what happened to the FTC at FTC.govcomplaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
In reply to On this Tuesday of 27th by Julie
After you tell someone the code from the back of the iTunes card, he takes control of the card. He controls what happens. After the value is gone from the cards, there is no value for iTunes to give you a refund.
Please report this to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses to investigate scams.
In reply to After you tell someone the by FTC Staff
On Tuesday, 27th September 2016, I got scam call from 911 - US Police department (Time 10.45 AM) and USCIS US Immigration office - 800 375 5283 (Time 10.48AM). And local police department - 972 424 5678 (Time 11.42 AM), and Till 2.02 PM. I believed they were really calling from Police department and US Immigration office. They were cunningly convinced me this.
911 the person: He was introduced himself from Police department said: I was going to be taken to court and arrested. And he connected with USCIS - 800 375 5283 the person joins (introduced as a USCIS immigration officer) with USCIS number and was asked me to type in google www. uscis. gov on the bottom read: National Customer Service Center : 1-800-375-5283. He was convinced me he really calling from USCIS immigration office.
I have to pay $3000.00 due to not updating the details in security broad office. I was told to go buy ITUNES gift cards. $3000 and Then instructed to scratch off the numbers and tell him. He warned me, if I didn't pay the would put a warrant out for my arrest immediately. I got frightened and do not allowed to get help from others/ donot cut the call even. If I contacted anyone / cut the call, they will do immediate action.
I purchased 6 gift cards for $3000.00 each of $500. from the store which they suggested to the following address: #2122 - 2930 PRESTON ROAD SUITE 700, BETWEEN GAYLORD PKWY & HWY 121 FRISCO, TX 75034. They kept me on the phone and didn't allow to text or speak with anyone; so I didn't have time to check anything online relating to scamming.
I am very upset and alone and helpless situations. Then they instructed to come out from the store and to scratched the numbers and tell him. After that they told me to wait for 10 minutes over phone and one person introduced himself as attorney the request is rejected due to some other reason and your identity now in blacklist. So everything will clearout then again you have to pay $2500.00. And do the same process. The moment my phone charge went down, then got switched off. I tried to recharge my mobile, and then they again called and asked about the same matters.
I said, I need to talk to my friends and get the money from them. After that they didnt called me.
I have contacted Apple representative ; I shared all 6 iTunes gift cards PIN number to her to BLOCK/CANCEL/DISABLE of these cards. But she didnt do anything with this call support. Next day I again called Apple iTune Billing department and stated above same. But there was no timely help I also contacted Office Depot: no help.
Apple and office depot are not at all supportive and don't know why they can't block the account who used the card. I think, Apple and office depot are adjusting to sell their product that may be the reason not providing the timely help. To resolve the problem, I would appreciate your help to get back my money refund from office depot. I look forward to your reply and a resolution to my problem. I have reported to FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. But they are saying : you can submit this receipts in TAX department. I dont have any hope now. Even complaint to anywhere also no hope. The strange things are scammers always enjoy with this strongly. Apple and Office depot seems more supportive for scammers. This is what I am feeling. The scammers always targeting who all are very new to USA and innocents.
In reply to On Tuesday, 27th September by julie
I am sorry this happened to you.
If you tell someone the code from the back of an iTunes card, he takes control of the card. He controls what happens to the value. He might use it right away, or quickly sell the code to someone.
After he uses the value from the cards, there is no value left for iTunes to refund to you. If he already used the value, it does not help for Apple to block or disable the cards.
Thank you for reporting this to the FTC. The information you give us will help law enforcement agencies do investigations. You could contact the corporate headquarters for Office Depot and tell them what happened and ask for help. Look online for a contact name and number for the corporate offices of Home Depot.
In reply to On Tuesday, 27th September by julie
In reply to On this Tuesday of 27th by Julie
In reply to I also faced the same thing by Case Status
I'm sorry this happened. You can help law enforcement by reporting it to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
In reply to I'm sorry this happened. You by FTC Staff
In reply to Who do I contact RIGHT NOW by Asita
You can block a person on your phone and email, and on your social media. If you used a wire transfer service you can call them and report fraud. Call MoneyGram at 1‑800‑926‑9400 (or for Spanish: 1‑800‑955‑7777) and the Western Union Fraud Hotline at 800-448-1492.
If you gave your bank or credit card account number to a scammer, he can take your money. Contact your bank and credit card company and ask how to protect your money.
If you're an older person, you can go to benefitscheckup.org to see if you can get help paying bills. Or, go to eldercare.gov to get connected to agencies in your community that help people with housing and other issues.
In reply to I've been speaking to a man by big sigh
If someone you never met asks you for an iTunes card, it's probably a scam. Scammers look for people on dating sites, and pretend to start a relationship, then start asking for money or iTunes cards, or bank account information.
iTunes cards don't add minutes to a phone. The only place to use an iTunes card is for online music, books or apps.
In reply to So I'm in the store right now by Tbvictorious
In reply to Was called yesterday to buy by Don't use your…
If you tell someone the code from the back of an iTunes card, they can take the value immediately. You can't get a refund from the store that sold you the iTunes card.
If anyone tells you to pay for things with an Amazon gift card, or PayPal or with a reloadable card like MoneyPak, Reloadit, or Vanilla, it's probably a scam. The Government doesn't use that kind of payment.