Asked to pay by gift card? Don’t.

I was scammed yesterday and lost $2,200.00. While the scammers used their typical strategy described above, there was one thing exceptional in my case. Let me share it here for others to know. Two days ago, I made a small purchase on one of my phone apps using my iTunes account. Yesterday, I wanted to cancel the purchase and get a refund of it. So, I went to Google on phone, searched for "iTunes billing customer service phone number." Then, the first thing appeared as the search result was "Call (855)552-9975 - 24/7 iTune Billing Support." Underneath this, they also had a few lines of description, "itunesbilling.wixsite.com, Billing Support Refund Help Desk." Since it was the first thing appeared as a result of Google search, I didn't even carefully read the strange website address but directly called the number. Then, from that point on, they used went by their typical script; asked me if I have made a purchase for a gambling machine from Florida; I said No; then, they said that my iTunes account was hacked and there is $600.00 of charge for the purchase of gambling machine; then told me to go to Target or a grocery store to buy iTunes card worth of $700.00; then, he transferred me to the "senior agent" because he found further "fraud"which only his senior agent can handle. They said that I need to purchase 22 iTunes gift card (although they preferred STEAM card, there was no $100.00 STEAM card of $100.00 available at the stores) of $100.00. They said that they would have to tell me exactly which iTunes card that I am supposed purchase, so they stayed on the phone call for the entire 4 hours while I was traveling to 3-4 different grocery stores. Target and Safeway didn't allow me to purchase more than certain number of iTunes gift card (the transaction declined, etc.). These scammers, who stayed on the phone for the entire 4 hours, even searched for the grocery stores around me after asking my zip code. I foolishly drove back and forth between these grocery stores ending up purchasing iTunes gift card of $2,200.00 value, scratching every single one of them to give them the gift card numbers. They attempted to have me make more purchase but my credit card continued to be declined at the 4th grocery store. This all sounds very stupid but it was my very first time getting scammed and they really sounded very convincing that i didn't even think of questioning them. Anyhow, my phone battery was dying and I told them to call me back and finish the process the next day (which is today). On my way back home, I suddenly felt that something was not right. I went to the official Apple website, then called to the real Apple. Another strange thing is that: the real Apple agent that I spoke with told me that he recognize my cell phone number from their call record at the exact time that I called the scammers. However, he told me the record shows that that particular call lasted only for about 15 minutes. If what he said was accurate, then my question is "Is there a co-scammer inside the Apple? Then this person first accepted my call, then transferred me to his colleagues?" Anyhow, I called the Apple iTunes again this morning and reported the case. However, the agent whom I just spoke with said that she doesn't recognize my cell phone number from the call records from yesterday. I went to Google again, and typed the exact same words that I typed yesterday. Then, the link and the phone number information that popped up yesterday did not show up any more. The lesson is: Always contact the main contact number that appears on the official websites of the company.

Did she get any back

Josie, Did you get your money back?

I think this is happen to me at this very moment. I was sent a check for $2380.33 for an office setup. (which was not accepted by my bank, because it was clearly a fraudulant check. Later, they emailed me a softcopy of a check for the value of half of that (due to the mobile deposit limitations of my bank) The amount was deposited and I was asked to drive to the walmart and purchase steam wallet cards so the tech department could download apps i will be working with on my new laptop and Iphone (that they said are going to send to me)... As soon as I came home, i was asked to scratch the cards, one by one and take a picture. So what I did was take pictures of google image searches for "steam card scratched"... I sent those pictures to them...

Hey, how long have you been waiting for the check fraud alert since you bought those gift card? Please help me, I met someone from dating app, and right now we are texting through hangouts, which is like a gmail communication. I’m not sure if she is a real person, but she has deaposited check with 900 values into my online banking, and I used all to buy her the gift card she needs. I’m gonna confirm if she’s real...

This exact thing happened to me, but they wanted Amazon gift cards. Another company had me transferring funds for "work equipment" via MoneyGram or Western Union and I soon found out the checks were fake.

Keep the money and don’t give out the PINs.

I received a call from those idiots this morning telling me my Window "license" key had expired. I thanked the guy for letting me know. Told him to have a good day and hung up.

I was also scammed by someone who said they were MICROSOFT but first my computer was sent a warning that looked pretty darn real to me. I called the number on the screen and they of course answered with “ Microsoft help desk”. I was told my computer was being hacked by someone getting child porn. I’m a nanny so that hit a nerve. After three days of calls and $1600 in Google Play cards I am a slightly more jaded individual. I’m humiliated and ashamed that it never occurred to me that it was a scam.

I received a call from these scammers just last week. They said I owe a lot of money to the IRS and that there was a warrant out for my arrest. I laughed so hard that they hung up. They called back saying that it was no laughing matter and that I needed to pay. In not so many polite words I told them what they could do with their threats and scam and just hung up. They didn't call me a third time. The IRS will never call you. They send you official letters. If you ever need to know if something is real, call your local office. Sorry you got scammed, it's frustrating. Take care.

I just fell for this too James. This is exactly what happened to me as well. I was so freaked out that I could be arrested. I'm out almost as much money as you. I don't even know what to do. I feel so violated.

I was scammed 1024.00 I reported it to FTC the police and my bank changed my online sign in and password i’m Having it investigated and so far Wells Fargo said I am not responsible

This has been happening to us too. I had already heard about it somehow, but my husband actually got the call while he was at work. He talked to the guy for a long time and told him he'd have to call back when he was at home to get his info. My husband was worried and probably would've told him anything he wanted to know of I hadn't been aware of the scam and told him not take the calls anymore.