Did I get defrauded?

[Dave Gray]

My mother in law gave me one of those general VISA gift cards, as she has done several times in the past.  I always use them, but they can sit in my wallet for years and it's definitely not something I deal with quickly.

I finally tried to use the card at the store the other day and the magnetic strip wouldn't scan.  That wasn't a huge deal to me, since it could've gotten demagnetized or any of several other issues.

I went home to check the website, just to make sure that the balance is right and I'm not using an old card (I'm not), but the front of the card doesn't have 16 digits.  When you look carefully, you can see that the last 4 digits are missing and kind of "scratched off".  Now, I suppose that could've happened naturally, but it seems unlikely that something would so perfectly scratch off only the last digits on the card and leave the rest unscathed.  It's hard to tell that there even WERE 4 more digits missing.

You pretty much can't do anything online because everything requires inputting the full 16 digit number.

I was able to find a customer service number for card replacement, but it also all involves the 16 digit number, despite there being lots of other identifying info on the back of the card: serial numbers and PINs and all kinds of stuff.  I have an escalation manager that's going to call me back, but I've already been told that the only way they can help me is for me to provide the serial number along with a copy of the purchase receipt.   But it was a gift from an old lady from potentially years ago.  I doubt she knows when and where she even bought it.

My question is: Do you think I got intentionally defrauded?  Are there some kind of thieves out there that are demagnetizing strips and scraping off the last 4 of the card, and then returning the card to register to be activated at checkout?  I've not heard of that, but it appears that I am screwed with very little recourse.

[Dave Gray]

Well, shit.  This is a known scam: https://www.reddit.com/r/Scams/comments/14tma0u/vanilla_visa_gift_cards_with_scratched_off_numbers/

[Brian Fein]

i have got kind of paranoid about stuff like this.  I always buy gift cards from the middle-to-back of the shelf peg, and i inspect them thoroughly before buying.  I've heard of people getting scammed in this way and it just sucks that people have to be dishonest and steal shit.  Just get a job and work like the rest of us instead of being scumbags and robbing people.

[Spider-Dan]

Wow.  Wasn't aware of this particular scam.
I always buy store-specific gift cards (Macy's, Target, Starbucks, etc.) so it wouldn't be an issue for gifts I've given, but it's good to know.

[Brian Fein]

so - i wonder - dumb question inbound...
you should be able to get a barcode scanner app for your phone pretty easily.  most of these cards have a barcode on the back.  if you were to scan that barcode with the app, would it reveal the full CC number?  because that's how the grocery store register knows how to load and activate the card, by scanning that barcode.  just a thought...

[Dave Gray]

Even if I had the full number, it would only help to be a quicker way to identify that I'd been scammed and that the account was empty.

The good news is that there seems to be a path to get my card reissued, but it will be a pain in the ass.

The serial number, paired with speaking to a manager (after the first rep was no help) from the card issuer -- they were able to provide me with the store name, store number and purchase date of the card, and I believe they're going to tell the store to expect my call to ask for a electronic journal, which is essentially a purchase receipt.  If I can get that, I will have to provide a copy of the card, the receipt, and my ID (to prevent fraud) and then I think they send me another card.

I would be happy if that happened and I'm a diligent guy who will follow through this kind of thing as a matter of principle.   But I can totally see how this is a huge pain in the ass and many people would just say screw it and move on.

[Brian Fein]

When you buy a gift card, the store usually gives you a receipt that says "this is how much is on your gift card"

This is why.  If you had that, a lot of that other stuff wouldn't be necessary.

[Dave Gray]

When you buy a gift card, the store usually gives you a receipt that says "this is how much is on your gift card"

This is why.  If you had that, a lot of that other stuff wouldn't be necessary.

It wouldn't have made a difference.  The gift card was loaded when it was purchased.  It just didn't have a number and the thief used the card in the interim and drained it.

The card was issued on July 13.  They probably have a handful of numbers and just try them each day.  With the popularity of these cards, if you put it on the front of the pile, it probably sells within a day or two.  As long as they run the card on July 14 or 15, they'd be fine.  ....or in my case, any time before Oct 15.

[Phishfan]

Any idea how much was on the card? Just reading through has taken more time than I would invest for some amounts.

[Dave Gray]

Yes, it was a $100 card.  It's printed on the card itself.

But I would do this for $20 or even $5 out of principle.  I don't like to have stuff like this go unhandled.  Theft pisses me off.

[Dave Gray]

I gravedug this by accident, but I just wanted to follow-up that this was resolved and I got the $100 card replaced.

It came through getting the info on the store and then working with my Mother In Law's credit card to get an old statement and working with the card issuer.  It was legwork, but it worked out.