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Purchased a damaged Apple gift card, what is the policy?

Hey all. I recently purchased an Apple gift card from a third party retailer (Target) and half the code is missing. This is the second time I’ve had this issue occur and the first time this happened, Apple solved the problem by sending me a new code. This second time I’m told by Apple that this card is void because it’s damaged and I need to seek reimbursement from Target. Lo and behold, Target claims this is Apple’s issue. Has the policy changed in the last five months? Thanks in advance.

Posted on May 26, 2023 10:48 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 5, 2024 3:26 PM

katmc49 wrote:

I mistakenly scratched some codes off


Here is what to do: If you can't redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card - Apple Support


You will need to directly contact Apple Support for issues with gift cards and with gift card redemptions.

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Nov 2, 2023 3:49 PM in response to Xinrai

I got hit with this as well. I put money on 3 different Apple Gift Cards from two local 7-Eleven’s and all of them came up with the “Cannot Redeem Code” “Code entered is not valid” error messages. I called Apple Support and sent them photos of the front and back of the last Gift Card I got, the envelope that it was enclosed in and the 7-Eleven receipt. After examining the photo’s, Apple Support said some character’s were missing at the end of the Gift Card code. This is the code that begins with the letter X. There was only 12 characters instead of 16. I looked closer and I noticed that some characters at the end of the code were whited out or removed somehow. You can see the smudging at the end of the code if you tilt the card just right in some light. You can also see the same thing on the number that starts with GCA that is directly below the Gift Card code. In my case, you can even see that the characters at the end of the GCA number AND the long string of numbers beneath the bar code that is printed on the outside of the sealed envelope has been whited out as well. Is someone opening legitimate Apple Gift Cards, altering them and somehow re-sealing them and taking the money that is put on them? Sure looks that way to me.

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Nov 14, 2023 10:01 PM in response to wyreskywave

Same thing happened to us! I took the card back to CVS and they said they can't do anything because it's Apple's fault for selling defective cards. I chatted with Apple support but the nice gentleman in India had to refer me to someone else tomorrow during normal operating hours. I am waiting on their call back tomorrow.


So was your situation resolved, or not? Inquiring minds want to know!

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Nov 27, 2023 12:27 PM in response to Xinrai

I purchased an Apple Gift Card at TARGET. Target told me they couldn't do anything about a damaged card and to call Apple Customer Service. I did call. The representative told me Apple can only refund gift cards purchased directly from Apple. So what does a consumer to do now? Neither Target or Apple wants to be responsible.

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Dec 8, 2023 9:58 AM in response to Grelay

Same think happened to me at Waitrose. I bought an Apple gift card and paid cash at the till and Inside the card the code wasn't corresponding to the card outside. I have lost £200 now. I went back to the shop and they refused to give me a new card or my money back even though they clearly have prove the balance is still on my account. DO NOT BUY Apple Gift cards at any shops supplier outside of Apple shops.

If something is wrong you won't get your money back and NO one is willing to help you.

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Jan 13, 2024 12:20 PM in response to Xinrai

Hey all. I recently purchased an Apple gift card from a third party retailer (Target) and half the code is missing. This is the second time I’ve had this issue occur and the first time this happened, Apple solved the problem by sending me a new code. This second time I’m told by Apple that this card is void because it’s damaged and I need to seek reimbursement from Target

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Feb 3, 2024 10:11 AM in response to Xinrai

I bought an Apple Card $1000($500 each) and they both have three missing code on each..How can I solve it out and have taken it back to the store and they said they can’t refund my money back cause the problem is from Apple?

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Feb 9, 2024 11:43 AM in response to Xinrai

The store that sells the gift card is not responsible for the gift card if it’s damaged. Those stores are just the middlemen.

The company that issues the gift card is responsible for it. If you purchased a target gift card and have issues you would want to contact target. Essentially the funds spent on the gift card is going to the issuing company and not the company the gift card is purchased from. If that makes sense.


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Feb 9, 2024 12:57 PM in response to MrHoffman

The class action lawsuit was whether the seller could be held responsible for knowingly allowing scammers to come in and commit fraud with the gift cards. The lawsuit is based on the sellers negligence in protecting the consumer from scams. Not that they are solely responsible for the condition of the goods they sell in the stores.

When it comes to that type of scamming you have to deal with the company issuing the gift card, just like damaged redemption codes you have to deal with the company that issued the card and not the seller.

This is why Apple is the one you contact with redemption code issues and not the seller. Apple is responsible for their gift cards they issue.

Example Apple is responsible for their products when issues occur, the warranty, the store you purchase it from is not responsible for that issue. Gift cards are the same.


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Mar 2, 2024 9:54 AM in response to Jim2184

Jim2184 wrote:

Apple support will not help. They keep telling you to go back to the retailer. The retailer keeps telling you to contact Apple.


So the retailer seemingly sold a fraudulent gift card? One of the larger US retailers has had legal entanglements about that.

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Mar 17, 2024 11:19 AM in response to Xinrai

That happened to me and I called Apple support and the person I got said he used all his resources and thee was nothing the could do. I took is back to the store and the manager of the store was able to get the last two numbers on the card. Apple said it would be reviewed 24 to 72 hours. She was e-mailed the last two numbers.

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Mar 22, 2024 1:16 PM in response to leasure12

leasure12 wrote:

I purchased apple gift card and the code was damaged on card i have missing numbers when i removed strip.purchase was for $100. I called your support they gave me case number [expurgated] I need to send copys. Of card,purchase receipt and activation receipthow can i send that to you?


We’re other users like you, and not people that work for Apple. You’ll need to re-contact Apple Support.

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Purchased a damaged Apple gift card, what is the policy?

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