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 I went online to find a by Ssss
In reply to Big scam.Lost above $12000 by Kapil S
Call Apple Support at 1-800-275-2273 right away. You might have to wait on hold before someone will talk to you.
Tell them what happened. Ask if they can disable the cards you bought. Also, go back to the store that sold you the card. Talk with their customer service staff at the store.
Please report this to the FTC. The information you give will go into a secure database. The FTC and other law enforcement will use that information for investigations.
In reply to itunes card is only for apple by steven24a
Yes, iTunes is only for Apple products. Not for IRS or debts or phone service or any other reasons.
In reply to I have been scammed by David by nanafromindiana
If you gave someone the code from an iTunes card and you think it was a scam, call Apple Support at 1-800-275-2273 right away. You may have to spend some time on hold. Tell them what happened. Ask if they can disable the cards.
Also, go back to the store that sold you the card and talk with their customer service staff. And if you hear from someone who wants you to send an iTunes card, please tell the FTC.
In reply to I got scammed on 2/14/17, yes by In-debt colleg…
In reply to how do I go about reporting a by scarinder
If you get targeted by a scam where someone wants you to send money to get money, report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
In reply to Today morning, I just by Ragini
This is a scam. The people who called are not from the IRS or police department. They took your money. I'm sorry this happened to you.
Usually, the scammer will take the value of the iTunes card immediately after you tell them the code. But, you could call Apple Support at 1-800-275-2273 now and explain what happened. Ask Apple to disable the cards. If the scammer did not take the value of the cards, Apple might be able to disable the cards.
You can go to the stores where you bought the cards. Talk to the clerk that sold the cards and tell what happened. Also, please call the FTC at 1-877-382-4357 to report this.
In reply to Someone please help me asap, by I'mVictim
If you gave someone the code from an iTunes card and you think it was a scam, call Apple Support at 1-800-275-2273 right away.You might have to wait on hold for a bit.
Tell Apple what happened. 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 if you hear from someone who wants you to send an iTunes card, please tell the FTC.
In reply to Can they do any more damage by lmp2307
If you let someone take over your computer, they can install software programs that monitor what you do, or make your computer crash.
This FTC article has tips for getting rid of those malware programs.
In reply to is it possible that i can by popsy
The only place to use an iTunes card is at the iTunes store, to buy online music, apps or books.
If you buy the iTunes card and tell someone the code on the back of the card, they get the value of the iTunes card. You have nothing.
In reply to What I don't understand is by Debs
In reply to They can buy iPhones, iPads, by Jen
No, you can't buy devices with iTunes cards.
You can use iTunes cards in the iTunes store, App store or iBooks store.
In reply to How do they turn the itunes by swagman
In reply to Has anyone heard of someone by Outraged and C…
In reply to Has anyone heard of someone by Outraged and C…
In reply to I was a victim of an IRS by mireillenaj
Thank you for sharing your experiences. Unfortunately, we cannot address complaints if they are submitted through the blog comments. Please report your experience at ftc.gov/complaint.
In reply to I met a man on POF who said by carosuz
That's a scam! You can't use an iTunes card for a cell phone. Good for you for checking out his story, and not doing what he asked.
If you buy an iTunes card and tell him the numbers, he gets the value of the card and you've lost money. The story about being from the US and being overseas for work, and needing money or a phone or help with bills is a typical scammer's pitch.
Pagination