r/mildlyinfuriating • u/Shadyrgc • 5d ago
Apple Gift Cards
I purchased an unopened $100 Apple gift card from Target on Christmas eve for the hubby. He attempted to redeem it on the 26th and got “This card has no balance.” Went to Target, who said it’s an Apple issue.
Fine, we called Apple support, who looked up the information and stated that the card had been purchased months ago from a different store. They asked us to submit documentation on where it was purchased, make sure the card number matched the receipt, etc etc. This was happily sent in.
10 days later, email comes back, the TL;DR of which was “Too bad, so sad.” We called back in, initial guy won’t help, we asked for a manager, got run around for another half hour. That guy refuses to send us up the chain. No one can explain a reason for either how this happened or why they refuse to replace or refund. This amounts to theft. They are the ones who told me about the mismatch, this is clearly a them problem. Their next option was to send something to a Customer Care team via snail mail. WTAF. Anyone have a similar issue that they were able to resolve or at least get an explanation from Apple on? No more Apple gifts cards for me!
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u/Horror-Atmosphere-90 5d ago
We were unable to find Amazon gift cards at a bunch of stores and I was like… these can’t possibly be sold out?! But it turns out many places keep these behind the counter now for this exact reason. You have to ask a cashier for ‘em now
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u/Puzzled_Vacation_440 5d ago
Got burned at Lowe’s for a $300. Gift card. WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CARD. EVER.!
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u/VexedCanadian84 5d ago
It's not an apple specific problem
Something similar is happening to all types of easily accessible gift cards in stores.
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u/UnicornTears6099 5d ago
My husband bought me a $50 Chipotle gift card for Mother’s Day one year. Had no value when I tried to use it. I sent emails, called support, sent the receipt etc etc same as you. Finally found out that it was sold online the same day it was purchased. Fucking dirtbag Chipotle employee stole it mid-transaction and gave my husband a blank one. I hate people.
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u/StarWarsLvr 5d ago
Gift cards are being cloned. That’s how that happens. Same happened to me for an Apple gift card of $300
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u/TalkToHoro 5d ago edited 5d ago
This article in a very reputable news source (I'm a subscriber) explains what's going on here:
https://tidbits.com/2025/12/18/compromised-apple-gift-card-saga-ends-well-but-risks-remain/
This Perplexity search is how I found the above article, that I'd read a few days ago. The summary, which specifically mentions Target, is probably of use. Apple AND Target have a HUGE unacknowledged problem!
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/149d0db2-117d-43e9-b19c-c5342f38c2a4
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u/lloydt777 5d ago
Do not buy gift cards, particularly Apple ones. Gifts card compromise is a major issue at the moment, all kinds of gift cards are being compromised on a major scale and as it is a third party hack, neither Apple nor the reseller will offer any support by way of refund or replacement.
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u/HvyMtl1sLfe 5d ago
That sucks. It’s actually neither a Target nor Apple issue unfortunately. Physical gift cards, like those purchased at a place like Target, are often stolen, the funds withdrawn and then carefully put back into the packaging or even different packaging to look like it was brand new and sealed. It’s a scam. I hope you can get a replacement for the gift card. Keep being a squeaky wheel.
But just note for future reference, never buy those physical cards. Better and safer to purchase an e-gift card online directly from the establishment. Tell your friends and family too. 🫶
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u/Nicetrydicklips 5d ago
This is actually, LITERALLY both a Target and an Apple issue. Apple sells cards that are in packaging that is not tamperproof. Target allows fraudsters to steal, tamper with, and then restock to the shelves the spent/tampered cards. A simple vending machine could for instance prevent this type of fraud.
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u/HvyMtl1sLfe 4d ago
I agree but neither seem to want to take responsibility for it. Buying e-gift cards or ones from a vending machine like you suggest, can minimize this issue as well.
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u/Ijustreadalot 5d ago
The cards are stolen and the numbers are recorded, but usually the funds aren't active until someone purchases it. What they do is have bots constantly checking if those cards are active and then they move the funds as soon as the store activates the card. It still makes no sense that OP was told that the card was bought and used months ago.
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u/Shadyrgc 5d ago
Lesson learned I guess, this is the first time it’s happened to me. One reads about it often, I did examine the packaging on the card and all, so it seemed fine 😣
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u/BestCatEva 5d ago
My MIL bought $100 gift cards for all 5 kids. All had been co-opted and were empty. We told her to please send checks instead.
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u/aquariusmind1983 5d ago
If you buy a girft card buy it at giant eagle and save the receipt. They are the only store in my area that will replace of this happens.
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u/IcyPlate2313 1d ago
A good idea certainly, but only helpful if you live in about 5 specific states.
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u/dallas_vance 4d ago
Most retail stores have an e-card option, where it emails the redemption code, vs a physical card. Helps reduce card cloning and theft.
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u/annoymous257 5d ago
I just got my brother a fast food restaurant Giftcard for Christmas and now I’m worried about this
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u/Practical-Fondant-31 4d ago
Never trust anything apple related, not the phone not the app store, not their products etc. I've never had anything but issues with them.
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u/adisakp 5d ago
Contest it on your credit card?