Unable to use the Apple gift cards I got from Tesco

All gift cards are treated as cash, no returns, no refunds. You likely bought compromised cards from Tesco. It’s going on all over the world. Many retailers have taken Apple gift cards off the displays and only sell them behind the counter. Thieves shoplift the cards, open them up and copy the numbers, then reseal the card and return it to the display they stole it from. As soon as you bought them and they were activated the thieves emptied them out.

So you are likely out the money and Tesco is the one responsible. And yes, you were ripped off by thieves.

About Gift Card Scams - Official Apple Support

I’ve had this issue and am now dealing with Tesco CEO office to try and get my money back. They’ve been absolutely awful in handling this, they have agreed to pay the money back but it’s been three months and their payments team is a mess. Considering going to Martin Lewis about it if it’s not resolved as I’m sure there must be lots of people who have this issue. Did you get your money back yet?

When you say >do not work< what exactly does that mean? Are the cards not activated? Are the cards missing numbers? Are you trying to redeem the cards, if not what is the reason?

Please follow the steps in this Apple Support article. 

If you can't redeem your Apple Gift Card or App Store & iTunes Gift Card - Apple Support

If after reviewing the article, and following the directions in the article, you need additional assistance please follow the link below to contact official Apple Support. 

Contact Apple Gift Card Support

If you receive a request for payment using Apple Gift Cards, or If you believe you are the victim of a scam, please contact Apple Support and report it to local law enforcement.

You may also report the scam to the FTC Complaint Assistant.

Is seems you were the victim of a common scam when retailers display gift cards to the general public. Anyone can grab a bunch of the gift cards and scratch off the label and write down the code. They can then cover the code back up using the same type of scratch off labels that can be purchased from Amazon and return them to the display. After the gift card is activated, they will spend the balance before you get a chance to.

The solution if for the retailers to sell the cards behind a counter for purchase so they are not available to the public to have access to them. The retailers will lock up products to avoid theft that will affect their bottom line, but some do not care if their customers are subject to theft from the gift cards they sell. Apple cannot control how a retailer sells the cards and the retailers that care about their customers will sell them behind a counter.

I have 5 Apple gift cards that do not work and they are all cards with a fixed amount in like £100,50 or 25 it seems the cards you program with an amount seem to be ok it’s the fixed amount cards that seem to be the issue. Tesco will not do anything as they say it’ definitely Apples fault and I tend to agree, all the cards were sealed when I got them and I had to remove the sealing strip before accessing the activation code. It is possible that Tesco’s system is not automatically connecting with Apples system but you’ll never get Tesco to admit this, I used to work for a suppler to Tesco so I have a good idea how they work.

i know it will be difficult to get the money back but I am determined!

How were you able to upload the card balances to your account if they didn't work?

Regardless, you purchased the cards at Tesco, it's their issue. They need to properly activate your cards.