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 I had a similar experience by Victim79
In reply to Hi just got a call from by 40victim
If you’re not shopping at the iTunes store, you shouldn’t be paying with an iTunes gift card.
If you're offered a loan, but you have to send money first, chances are you will lose the money you sent and won't get a loan.
In reply to If you’re not shopping at the by FTC Staff
I got called by a company who sent me $680 as a verification fee. Next day told me to send it back by buying iTunes gift cards to the tune of $650. I did so, and same day they said "your credit is not high enough" and sent me another $920 to raise my credit score. Said after getting that money back, buying $900 worth of iTunes gift cards (from the money they sent to me), then I would get my loan. Is this a scam? I'm not exactly using my own money--its money they sent me.
In reply to I got called by a company who by lexilovin
In reply to I got called by a company who by lexilovin
In reply to Hi chances are yes its a scam by nikki
In reply to I just went through the same by Precious
Thank you for sharing your experience. Please report it at ftc.gov/complaint so it becomes part of the FTC database that's used by investigators nationwide. Your complaints help the FTC and other law enforcement agencies bring scam artists to justice. We can't address complaints that you discuss in the blog comments.
In reply to I got called by a company who by lexilovin
In reply to I got called by a company who by lexilovin
In reply to If you’re not shopping at the by FTC Staff
In reply to I'm not sure if it's a scam by Amy85
If someone you don't know offers to send you money, or wants you to send them money, it's a sign of a scam.
Sometimes, when scammers want to move stolen money, they get other people involved. They pretend to hire them, and tell them to open bank accounts and deposit and send money. Or, they start an online "romance" and ask their sweetheart to open a bank account to send money as a favor.
If you give your bank account number and personal information to a scammer, there's a risk of identity theft. The FTC has tips about what to do if information is lost or stolen.
In reply to If someone you don't know by FTC Staff
In reply to I met a man on line. We had a by StandingNaked
In reply to I meet a man just the other by Ukwoman
You can't use iTunes cards to make phone calls. The only place to use an iTunes card is at the iTunes store, to buy online music, apps or books.
In reply to You can't use iTunes cards to by FTC Staff
Can iTunes card be used to get connection on their iphone? in order for someone to share their location.
In reply to Can iTunes card be used to by Littleox_2004
No, you can't use iTunes to get a connection an an iPhone or to share a location. The only place to use an iTunes card is at the iTunes store, to buy online music, apps or books.
In reply to I meet a man just the other by Ukwoman
In reply to I have been talking to this by Prettybrown
In reply to I met a man on line. We had a by StandingNaked
In reply to I met a man on line. We had a by StandingNaked
In reply to I'm not sure if it's a scam by Amy85
In reply to I'm not sure if it's a scam by Amy85
In reply to I did a loan online and loss by ktheng65
If someone says they'll give you a loan, but you have to send money first, that is a warning sign -- it's probably a scam. And you will probably lose money.
You can report the people who took your money to the FTC at FTC.gov/Complaint. The information you give will go into a secure database. The FTC and other law enforcement agencies use that information investigations. The comments you put here on the blog don’t go into the law enforcement database.
In reply to Hi just got a call from by 40victim
In reply to Hi just got a call from by 40victim
In reply to Hi just got a call from by 40victim
In reply to I had a similar experience by Victim79
In reply to I had a similar experience by Victim79
OMG, me too,. I'm from Honolulu, Hawaii and it happened to beginning of September 2016 with 1st one from Swift Loan Online -approved for $5000. Western Union 10% of the loan which was $500 (insurance fee) & refundable money will be in account in about 45 min, 45 min came n went. Called them up 1(800) 636-8026 (terry Cowan, Matthew and a lady with no accent claims to be the District Manager)
Now they are telling me that the check came back and needs to go to the release manager and need to pay $499 (release fee) & refundable- nothing. I cussed them out boy - about $1300 from my checking I took out and now about 2 months behind, applying for payday loans (man they eat you dry)
Then another one with Quick Cash 1(626) 888 4662 (Mark brown or Adam) , mobile direct $989 into my checking and then I needed to withdraw the money ASAP and money gram & I did figuring it wasn't my money, second time, AdAm wants to clear out my -500 (cause they have access I'm the fool ), he sent again & I money grammed again.
Then he told me the $7000 will be deposited into my account but I need to do one more transaction - NO WAY I AINT DOING IT,.,, the money is in here $2000.. OMG it's 400 in the morning he calls told him Walmart don't open till 7:00am for money gram and I started at 6 am. I started snappin told him this n that then he tells me to purchase $1400 in iTunes card, after all scanned, my card gets declined. WTF so I called him back, blah, blah blah, I was on the Internet getting information from my bank I answered his call - BOOM he tells me " I ALREADY HAD MADE A COMPLAINT ON YOU THAT U RUN AWAY WITH MY MONEy.. Blah blah blah I went off !! Go Ahead and call your mama, call the president cause I don't give a f*** how dare you look at my profile on FB. When he told me if I ride a motor cycle ii was like ... Huh
Anyway they never got their $2000 are their iTunes cards cause I already had informed my bank. Sick people. And another one wants me to purchase an apple iTunes electric card, put $250 so he can make sure I have funds . Loan approved for $10000. Give the confirmation my conversation number to verify funds in account t. I told this Guy I think. I going pass
In reply to I had a similar experience by Victim79
In reply to i got scamed by ghedient by victim 64
In reply to I had a similar experience by Victim79
In reply to so did they actually deposit by scarinder
In reply to I had a similar experience by Victim79
In reply to I just bought 2 $100 iTunes by pmartin1951
In reply to I just bought 2 $100 iTunes by pmartin1951
In reply to I just bought 2 $100 iTunes by pmartin1951
In reply to I had a similar experience by Victim79
In reply to Same thing happened to me by Lalit Thakur
You could contact Apple Support at 1-800-275-2273 and ask them to disable the codes from the cards, if the codes haven't been used yet. If the codes have been used, you can't get your money back.
Please report what happened to the FTC at FTC.gov/complain so it becomes part of the FTC database that's used by investigators nationwide. Your complaints help the FTC and other law enforcement agencies bring scam artists to justice. We can't address complaints that you discuss in the blog comments.
In reply to same here except $9200 for by deb1949
In reply to U just got that same one lol by Bpn
In reply to same here except $9200 for by deb1949
In reply to My scam was under the guise by karenladykat
You can help law enforcement by reporting these details at www.FTC.gov/Complaint. The information you give will go into a secure database that the FTC uses for investigations.
The information you put here on the blog doesn't go into the secure law enforcement database.
In reply to IVE DONE THE SAME THING. THEY by JessieJ19
In reply to My 92 yr old mother was by Nancy
In reply to IVE DONE THE SAME THING. THEY by JessieJ19
In reply to IVE DONE THE SAME THING. THEY by JessieJ19
In reply to Just got hit by one today. by Notscammed
In reply to wow! this juat happened to me by scammed
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 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 if you hear from someone who wants you to send an iTunes card, please tell the FTC.
In reply to wow! this juat happened to me by scammed
In reply to Did you get your money back? by Victim 456