Apple Gift Card already redeemed when buying app

Check your sales receipt.

• If the balance is missing or the card was redeemed by someone else, contact Apple Support with the gift card’s original purchase receipt for assistance.
• If the card doesn’t appear on your sales receipt, that usually means the card was never activated at purchase.
• If the card appears on your sales receipt, then that usually means that the funds were already used.

Contact Apple Support with the receipt and serial number; only they can verify the card’s activation status and help resolve the issue.

Good Luck! 👋🏼😉

Smiliñ 😎 Brian | Community Volunteer

Hello~ See the link below…

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

Contact Apple Support - Apple Support

You will need to contact Apple. Many scams abound and due to this I only purchase my Apple Gift Cards here…

Apple Gift Card - Apple

~Katana-San~

Just for a possible explanation on how that could be possible by a Scam referred to by Katana-San is when you purchase it at a retailer where they simply display them on a rack that is available for anyone to tamper with them. Scammers grab a bunch of cards off the rack and scratch/peel the sticker to get the code, then replace the sticker with a new one that can be purchased at Amazon. After they return the card to the rack, they just wait for someone to grab it and activate through the Checkstand. They will either spend that amount or sell that Gift Card either on a website or the dark web.

Ironically some of those same retailers will lock up products they sell where theft results in them losing money, but fail to protect their customers when the money is stolen from them. I would never recommend buying any type of Gift Card from one of those racks. That scam occurs right in the retailers store they are responsible for protecting your purchase and I have seen some cases where users where able to escalate the matter with the Store Manager, District Manager, and Corporate Office for a resolution, but it is better off not putting yourself in that situation.

Retailers are well aware of this scam and it has gone on for years. During the holidays we usually see warning on News outlets about this scam, but of course it can happen at any time. It is irresponsible for a retailer to pretend like it never happens and refuse to secure the cards behind a counter to protect their customers.

Katana-San provided the relevant information for you, just wanted to make you aware of how that can happen and avoid those types of retailers in the future for Gift Card purchases. I also recommend purchasing them directly from Apple where you can choose to have it emailed to you quickly or even the physical card mailed.

Beabellisima wrote:

Thank you for your advice. I bought the gift card online through Apple. I'll contact Apple support and get it sorted out. Much appreciated.

They will be able to confirm if it was already redeemed on your daughter's account, which may have been the case. If there was a previous purchase that had not been paid, it will be deducted from the Apple Account when the Gift Card was redeemed the first time. At that point, there may not be enough money left in the Apple Account to make another purchase. Thinking that the redemption did not work because the money is now no longer available will result in the previous redemption message you are seeing.

You can check the Purchase History on your daughter's account by going here. I suggest using the method to view on device under the section titled "How to see your purchase history on your device".. That may show a transaction that you were unaware of.

View your purchase history for the App Store and other Apple media services - Apple Support

Hello~ +1

~Katana-San~

Thank you very much for your help.

Beabellisima wrote:

Thank you for your advice. I bought the gift card online through Apple. I'll contact Apple support and get it sorted out. Much appreciated.

Hello~ You’re welcome.

~Katana-San~