Vanilla Gift Cards
reviews and complaints

My Vanilla gift Master Card is constantly declined. I have repeatedly tried to find my balance to no avail. It shows "system error, try later" every time. I know I still have money on the card and I want to use it. They have basically stolen my money. What can I do to use my money?

Who should I contact? What do you advise I do to resolve this situation. I bought this card in good faith and now I am not able to use it for purchases. The website is a joke. You cannot find out anything due to system error.

Thank you for any help you can give me to get this resolved as quickly as possible.

Judith Barnes

At 11:50 Am, I bought a $50 vanilla visa gift card at family dollar. When I got home, I tried to use it. It wouldn’t work. I remember it saying that it may be active but will take 24 hours until usable. I checked my balance on their website over 16 times and it said $50. Then I did it again at 11:00 pm and it said I made a purchase around 6 Am at a shows company. I never even heard of the company. This was my first time buying this gift card. I think it is someone inside the company doing it because it’s supposed to be usable in 24 hours. So how did the other person be able to purchase before that time.

I received a Vanilla online gift card on 12/17/2021 for $150. When I went to use it today, 6/12/2022, I found a balance of $1. It says $149 was charged at NST Ross stores #[protected] - O5000236DF3F3 on 2/20/2022 at 1:37 am. I have never shopped at Ross, there isn't one near me, and they do not have online shopping.

Received a Vanilla Visa gift card from a student for Teacher Appreciation Week on May 5, 2022. Went online right away to check the balance - website showed $20 original balance and a $20 charge from Paypal with an ending balance of $0. The Paypal charge showed a time that was EARLIER than the actual time. I immediately called Vanilla and sat on hold for a long time before finally speaking to a representative. I was told I'd have to wait for the charge to clear (it was still pending) before we could do anything. Called back a week later, sat on hold for 45 minutes. The rep said I would have to file a dispute so it could be investigated. She told me it could take anywhere from 45-90 days, which seems totally unacceptable. I asked to speak to a manager and was transferred. After waiting on hold for 50 minutes, I received the same information from a supervisor. She agreed with me that a gift card, still sealed in its "protective" casing, should not be able to be used. "If that's the case," I asked, "then the fact that it was used is a Vanilla Gift Card problem, not a mistake on my part." She told me that I had to file paperwork for a dispute. The process was as follows: 1. They send me the forms; 2. I fill the forms out and send them back; 3. Wait for 45-90 days for a possible resolution. 4. Call back (which would involved sitting on hold for who know how long). Even though it was ridiculous, I agreed to start the process... until she told me I would need to give my first and last name, phone number, personal address, and email address. I asked to speak to her supervisor. After another 20 minute hold, I got the supervisor. Why would I feel comfortable giving my personal information to a company who couldn't even keep their sealed gift card numbers secure? She insisted it was the only way to start a dispute. I politely disagreed with their process and said that I was beginning to think this shady company was scamming people, knowing most people's time is too valuable to go through the lengthy process and would give up. Strangely, our call was "disconnected". Don't waste your money on this shady company. It's just a shame because the gift came from a student who probably doesn't have much, but wanted to do something nice for his teacher.

04/22/2022 Brother In Law&Sister bought GC at Walgreens for $100.00

His personal bank card was charged $105.00 (5 service charge)

They give it to me 04/30/2022

I don’t use it or open it, I wanted to wait to use it for something important so it goes directly into my drawer. I live alone. No one has access to my home and due to Covid, no one comes into my home.

On 05/10/2022 I take my vanilla visa gift card out to make a purchase but I’m told it won’t go through. It is for $35 so It should’ve so I go home, try to get on their [censored] website to check balance & it kept giving me an error message.

I keep it up then begin calling, it keeps me on a loop with how ‘busy due to Covid-19’ they are, 3 days, 45 minutes each call later I finally check the balance Online and it says one penny just one penny! So I called back hit the fraud department extension Where again I’m in the long hold loop so now the next day I call again the fraud department I’m on hold for so long but I got it at the moment where someone answers and I start explain it to him and he immediately says to me I need your name your address your phone number your Social Security number your birthday … i’m like hell no you don’t need any of that stuff somebody stole from me and of course I had already read this forum to see that this has happened before and it’s probably an inside job from the vanilla gift card people themselves so I’m like I’m looking at the place that $99.99 was charged to and it’s some BS company in Queens where I did a Google map and it’s the second floor of an apartment building and he didn’t know what to say then he keeps asking me for my personal information which I refuse to give him and then he goes well you charged $99.99 to a clothing company I said I charged nothing to nowhere and how would you know that’s a clothing company because online they don’t even have a real website they don’t have a phone number and it doesn’t say anything about clothing as their business so he didn’t know what to say he keeps asking Me for my personal information which I told him you definitely don’t need he’s like well if you want me to file a fraud complaint I need to have you sent the paperwork I go no you could do it right here on the phone he goes no I can’t I go yeah that’s what the fraud department and he goes no I have to give it to the fraud department I go but you are the fraud department so this back-and-forth went on for so long he’s trying to get my personal information I kept asking him why he couldn’t give me a reason so finally I go to him OK here I’ll give you my email you can email me the documents then of course I start spelling out an email that of course is some BS email name that was very let’s just say sounded like something from the [censored] TV show and he says can you tell me what that means and I go I said I’ll read you back and he goes are we done here and if I get out because I’m filing with the Better Business Bureau and hung up on them they are fraudulent they steal your information before they send out the gift cards and as soon as it’s activated at a store they wait a couple of days and then they use it for themselves to charge it to their scam company called TUNG INTERNATIONAL TEXTILES in QUEENS NY! So all of this is documented in a little does he know I of course had this on tape so I’m going to send all of them to the Better Business Bureau they need to be stopped Van Ness vanilla gift card is a scam company operating out of Queens New York is where they’re sending their money that they scam out of your card onto fraudulent purchases they must be stopped and never give them your information they do not need to know who you are I don’t think he needs my birthday sorry he didn’t even need my name to file this fraud I could’ve said my name was Jane doe and I was born on Mars the day the moon landing it’s not relevant

Our company was kind enough to give the Customer Service Team electric gift cards for Christmas 2021. There were 3 of us that received these vanilla electric gift cards. All 3 of the gift cards were hacked and the money was stolen from 2/7/2022-2/15/2022. All 3 of us have called vanilla gift cards customer service line and email them multiple times. I was first told that we would be hearing back in 10 days. I was later told that it would be 90 days…. I am not sure why we have not been updated on this case…

I have had my card for just over a week. And, when I go in to check my balance someone has made two large purchases from Nodstroms. I do not nor have I ever bought from Nordstroms. Also its plain to see it was someone who knew the balance because they charged right up to that amount. One made 5/8 for $178.00 and one 5/10 for $185.00

Nordstrom Direct 0808 060025B52D40. - for $185.00. Dated 5/10/22

Nordstrom Direct 0808 0300246B16D6 - for $178.00. Dated 5/8/22

Purchased vanilla gift card through my company atx monte carlo psc, llc because we wanted to donate $ 500 to uber for senior citizens who are in need of transportation for healthcare services, medical appointment, etc. (donate a ride to someone in need via uber).

As I check on funds ($500) that were put on the vanilla gift card, was taken out of the card and not even 30 minutes later I contacted vanilla gift card dispute resolution team and sent a certified letter as well giving all the details.

The funds were put into the card directly from business account so I was able to get a copy of the transactions of the vanilla gift card.

I find out that apple/com/us -01000072cd6e4 took the money out of the vanilla gift card.

I contacted apple to see if they could assist me somehow but they could not find the transaction.

Vanilla gift card advised me to wait up to 180 days for resolution. I then followed up and on the dispute and was told no record could be found and I was advisedto re-report the dispute and was then given and new confirmation number and emailed the form for disputes. Upon send the email, I recieved an email from vanilla gift card dispute that it would be an additional 90 days to get a response and then recieved correspondence that due to time frame, my dispute was not accepted.

this is not fair to me at all. I want my $499 refunded back either in the gift card or check just as easily as it was taken out.

April 20-22, 2022. Cannot check the gift card balance online--keep getting an error message, and have tried two different browsers, so problem is not the browser. Had the gift card declined at a US-based online digital game site that accepts, according to the owners/programmers, all types of Visa. Called VanillaGift more than once in two days and the company claims card is activated and still has the original $20 on it. Cannot check online to see if it is actually activated because of the error message on the website, despite company rep claiming they can check the balance on the website on their computer. Cannot register the card with an address or zip code. Have no idea if it would even work at the store where I bought it.

I got a $50 gift card from this company as a gift, did what it said to do to check the balance on this card it said balance was 2 cents because they said there was a pending balance of $49.98 for gamestop. This is a brand new card never used I got as a gift. I called they said nothing they could do until april 12,2022 now the card was bought and active on the 10th of april 2022. On this call the woman I spoke to gave me a number for the gamestop where the purchase was made but the number was bogus it was [protected]. The person who purchased this card took it back to walmart and they could do nothing. So she spent $50 plus the $4.95 for the card. It is a scam and people should know not to buy these cards they are ripping people off!

I checked my bal at 10:29 am.

(only used the card once and it started with $100, the one time was a few days before and the total was $27.,) I tried to use my card at 115 pm the same day, it was declined, I called customer service bc I seen a charge for the exact bal. At the exact time I checked it.

Customer service was rude acted as though they didn't speak english.. They refused to help,. This leads me too this conclusion... Vanilla visa is a scam, when you check your balance on line they take ur money, and ack as if they can't understand you! The fact is they won't, they do speak perfect english, I know for a fact i've never been to india so there is no way I would spend money on a country I have never been to don't ever wish to go and also impossible for me to do for the us. Especially when the business I supposedly "spent it at was a check cashing place" vanilla visa is a fraud! This is why they do not allow atm transactions! If you are giving a gift, kust give the person cash, that way they dont get ripped off

Attention friends….. Do not purchase this type of gift card! The brand name is vanilla. They are a total ripoff business! I received a gift card but the security code only had one number. It needs to have 3. I called the company and told them what happened. Gave them the card number, receipt, etc… they gave me a number to follow up with. First of all they gave me the wrong email address to send all the information too! I called back they gave me the correct one. The next day I received an email saying the account number was invalid! Please call again! I called…. Informing them I was reporting them to the bbb. Now they will not accept my emails! Totally a fraud company! Target is big vendor of these gift cards so keep your eyes open and do not purchase them!

On March 1, 2022 I purchased a Vanilla gift card in the amount of $50.00 from Tom Thumb retail store using my debit card. I retained my receipt for reference. I gave the card to my son for my 4 year old Birthday gift. I received a call from my son stating, there is a problem with the gift card. I retrieved the card and returned to the retail store for a refund or another card. I was told by a manager they needed to take a photo of the card and gave me a telephone number to contact, a ticket number. I have tried several times reaching out to the Vanilla gift card company. On one occasion, I was told that my information was documented and someone would contact me. A week later, I decided to call Vanilla gift card again to follow up on the card status, I was told again to dial the telephone number on the back of the card, and report the card lost or stolen for a refund. I finally reached a representative who explained that the card was put on hold! That’s crazy, I paid $50.00 why would they put a hold on the card. This is vey embarrassing when your grandchild is expecting a gift and gets a card he can not use. I was promised a replacement card, but I fear more problems.

The biggest problem is customer experience and service, companies do not follow up on issues pertaining to refunds. Had I not continue to call, I would lose my money. It’s hard times for everyone! We can not afford to lose a penny.

Because of this incident, no more gift cards of any kind.

Received a $150.00 card and before I used, it all but $7.09 was already spent and their customer support is non-existent. at least there is no evidence of its existence beyond a recording about the heavy volume, probably of people wronged by them.

Do not use Vanilla Gift cards.

unauthorized uses

2/18/22 4:59 Autozone 3715 - O30022908EA4 $11.74

2/16/22 5:54 Garo Balikcioglu - O5002351C7 $46.42

2/16/22 8:20 7-Eleven O300227C6ADD $45.21

2/16/22 8:17 7-Eleven O300227C6815 $39.54

I received a (200) gift card for my Birthday. I was waiting to use it for Christmas gifts. I went to check the balance before I went to the store and there was 70 dollars missing. I called Vanilla gift on 12/22/2021 and was given a ticket number for the stolen value.

I was informed that it would take 90 days to get this resolved.

When I called the company on 03/23/2022 they claimed I had not sent back my dispute claim. I returned the claim form on 12/22/2021. I was on the phone with the customer service rep and was getting no where and ask to speak to a supervisor.

The supervisor was suppose to be sending an e-mail to get a status update but then just cut me off.

I have now being waiting on the phone to start a second call.

Bought the card online at Sam's and it arrived un-activated. Sam's wont help. The number on the back is automated to the point that there is never an option to address activation issues. Website is almost worse. Makes you enter the numbers on the card and then says the card is invalid or "System Error." Even sent information, including copy of receipt, snail mail to the address the website gives is ineffective. No response.

This whole company is a scam, I was given a gift card as a birthday gift and right the next day I tried to purchase something online and showed it had already been used that morning for an online purchase. So I called vanilla customer service and was told to send a dispute form. So I did and since I would never get an update. I kept calling every 2-3 weeks and it ends up I had to send the dispute form 3 times because they kept telling me they didn't have it. So then after me calling several times, they kept telling me I had to wait 90 days, then the next excuse was I had to email the dispute department, which I did like 4 times and got no response. After that I called 3 times and they would just hang up on me. Therefore, don't ever purchase a vanilla gift card because it is a scam!

I received a Vanilla Gift Card for $50. I went to use it today 2/11/22 and was told it had a $0.99 balance. I have not used this card. I went online and it showed two purchases at a Target on November 29, 2021 (O1000C382FD3 and O1000C382737. I did not make these purchases. They do not answer the phone and have no email

Vanilla GIFT Card = SCAM SCAM SCAM

I purchased a $300.00 Visa Prepaid Vanilla Gift Card from the local Walmart store on Nicholasville Rd. and Man-O-War, Lexington, KY on December 23, 2021. I went home and immediately put it in my daughter's Christmas stocking. On January 4, 2022 she tried to use the card and the card said zero funds. Someone between December 23 and January 4 figured out the number and spent $298.00 at a Victoria's Secret. The numbers on back of the card are automated. They don't offer an option of hey, somebody used my card. There is nothing on the card that tells you how to get in touch with a Visa Customer Service Representative to please your case.

I went to said Walmart where I purchased it and they said it was not their problem. I felt since they sold me the card, it was. Talked to the Manager and of course, got nowhere. On the cardboard the card came in at the bottom is InComm. I emailed them but they said they were just the distributor and I should contact the issuer. How? I have not been able to contact VISA and discuss this.

Walmart said I should file a fraud complaint. With who? And by doing that am I going to get my money back? I work third shift. I eat, sleep and go to work. I am not going to use my time I am awake and at home to fill out a form unless the fraud department can help me get my $300.00.

I am not computer savvy. I have tried six times to send a copy of the receipt and it says error or wrong format each time. If I could send the receipt to an email address I'd be good. But, VISA Vanilla Debit Card [protected]. EFT Debit $300.00 Debit Load, Ref#[protected], December 23, 2021 08:38:55