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"Vanilla Visa" gift cards are a RIP OFF! Do not buy one nor consider giving it as a gift. The decrease the amount of the Gift card every month. When you try to use it, it declines over and over. When you FINALLY get to use it by applying half the money you were supposes to have... they the C>C. continues to decline!
I will NEVER get on of these again...further, I will email EVERYONE at work, neighbors and friends alerting them of this rip off Gift card.
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Vanilla Visa Gift card company is a scam. They said a purchase was made on my gift card that we were given for our anniversary, which it was not. I filed a dispute 4 1/2 months ago, and keep getting a run around as to a resolution of the matter. They are a fraudulent company and should not be in business.
Hi.. Did you get a response? I filed a dispute for $320 4.5 weeks ago, there's still no news.
I purchased 3 Vanilla Gift cards for Christmas gifts in December 2021, all 3 were hacked and spent in other cities. I made disputes with customer service, I’m doubting if I ever get my $260 back. I used my credit card so I will go to my bank and claim fraud if the money isn’t returned. DO NOT BUY THESE CARDS!
I went to check the balance on my Vanilla Gift Card one day and the balance was almost gone! I had only made one purchase and I should have had a balance left of over $79.00. I contacted the company and disputed several of the charges. I also filled out a dispute form and mailed it to the dispute department. I haven't heard anything back yet. In the meantime; I have lost out on being able to use my gift card! Who knows if I'll ever get that money back!
I purchased a $100 Vanilla gift card at my local CVS store. When the person who got this card opened it she discovered the CVV code is scratched off and there are very obvious signs that somebody opened the card package previously and then glued it back together. Since the CVV code was damaged we couldn't even check the balance or transactions online. So I called Vanilla customer service and of course they told me that the balance was already drained with multiple online purchases on target.com
The retailer, in my case it is CVS, doesn't care (even though shouldn't they be responsible for selling hacked cards and not protecting them enough on shelves?) and sends you to Vanilla who takes forever to investigate. The whole experience is just terrible because - first it's a gift card and you feel really bad when the person the card went to can't use it, and second - there is a big headache to resolve this.
There are so many complaints about Vanilla gift cards. Don't buy those!
Will never purchase another visa gift card...their customer service for a lost card is a joke ... I'm not even sure the email given to me for sending the documents about a lost card is even legitimate.
Will NEVER buy another visa gift card
I got a vanilla card for 30 dollars I got home tried this activate the card they said it was on hold cause of a pending transaction don't how that happen I got nothing so I'm out 34 dollars I'm on a fixed income and they don't seem to care the need investigated
yes this Vanilla gift card is a complete fraud. I got a card as a $250 gift card that on checking the balance realized a purchase was already made. I called and submitted a dispute packet that they said would be investigated and i had to wait 90 days for a response. Now at the expiration of that period, they are saying i have to resend the dispute packet, seems nothing was done. This probably means another 90 day wait so i can forget or walk away from this.
Also, their customer service is an overseas entity that is clueless to what they should be doing.
The FTC will be hearing from me.
They scammed me out of $650! I bought and returned something online with this card… the refund says ‘completed’ but every time I try to use the card, it’s denied! I am sick to my stomach that they are getting away with this over and over! Customer service does NOTHING to help (when you can actually get a human on the phone) and can’t answer any questions on why the funds are being withheld from me! Unreal…now I’m screwed out of so much hard-earned money that they’re withholding from me and keeping for themselves…without ANY reason. Funds should be refunded to original form of payment without a single issue but they’ve decided to withhold the funds for NO apparent reason. PLEASE never buy these awful cards:/! I can’t believe they’re getting away with this
I bought a Vanilla gift card for $500 on January 5th 2022. Left the store, my boyfriend had the bag, we got home, couldn't find the card, my boyfriend called CS and had them place it on hold to see if we found it. SURE ENOUGH 30 mins later we found it in the seat of the car. SINCE THAT TIME, WE HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING TO HAVE THEM RELEASE THE HOLD SO WE HAVE ACCESS TO OUR MONEY. THEY REFUSE.
They treat me like I am committing fraud because we found the card and want the funds released. I have the card and the receipt, that's all you need to prove ownership in every store or purchase in this country, yet this place says that's not enough to prove we own the card.
THIS PLACE IS A SCAM. THEY ARE STEALING PEOPLES MONEY AND WHAT EVER RETAILERS OFFERING THIS CARD TO CUSTOMERS NEEDS TO PULL IT FROM THE SHELF.
I WANT MY $500 BACK
WHO CAN TELL ME WHAT TO DO AGAINST THIS COMPANY ? THIS IS WRONG AND THEY NEED TO BE STOPPED. !
I had a Vanilla Gift Card given to me worth $150. Shortly after I assigned a pin # to the card 2 charges were made to the card which amounted to $149 and change. Customer service is almost non existent, and the lady I was finally able to try to talk to had a foreign accent that was next to impossible to understand. This company is a joke and needs to be investigated by the FTC.
My card was declined and then on the same day, two transactions that were not mine were made. I have waited on hold forever to get it resolved. This is a SCAM.
This company should be investigated shut down and a lawsuit should be filed for all the money vanilla gift cards has stolen from the American public your money is stolen off t
This Vanilla Gift Card is a scam and they have terrible customer service. They let you wait for forever to be able to talk to a real person (not to mention that the connection is so choppy) and when a real person finally picks up the call, you can hardly understand her because of the choppy connection. Then she hangs up on you.
I called because of the GCs that I received with $150 on it. When I received the link in the email, it worked fine. But then I did use it right away and after 2 months, I decided I am ready to use it. But the link on the email is no longer working so I called the number provided in the email. - [protected]. You have to be very patient because they will let you wait for hours.
I have 3 cards I received from my employer as a prize last Christmas. The 2 with $50 on each had no problem. I just noticed that after I used both and left a small amount of balance, there were succeeding transactions on each cards that I did not initiated but somebody did.
DO NOT BUY VANILLA CARDS.
I received a vanilla gift card for my birthday and didn't open it until a few days later and someone had already used it at a jewelry store, now how was that possible!
My nephew bought me a $50 vanilla visa card for Christmas a couple years back. To be honest with COVID and other life events I totally forgot about it, but when I found it I was surprised to see an expiration date listed on the front of the card. I called and it let me activate it so I thought I was all set, but no I wasn't. When I tried to use it for my purchase the cashier told me the card was declined because it was expired. Why did they let me activate it and then shut it down?
I went online and under the FAQ's I found information that these are not suppose to expire, according to the website all you have to do is call and you can get a replacement card. Well that's a lie, they want your card number and because it is expired they can't find it and after three attempts they hang up on you! They play all kind of games and there is ono way to talk to a human or leave a message.
I have several visa credit cards ad I am going to cancel them all, this is BS. What kind of a company is this that rips off people and why haven't they gotten in trouble yet? I think I'll go online to the BBB and report them, I am pissed off.
I received a $50 Vanilla gift card and attempted to use it for ~$45 just two days later. It was declined. Over and over. And I have been unable to get a live person on the phone - I called, was on hold (yes, miraculous to even get to an option for a real person!) and then the person that picked up said "hold please" and disconnected the call.
This company/product is beyond terrible. Please spread the word and encourage people not to waste their time or money on something that ends up not being a gift at all, but rather a terrible experience.
So, I'm mowing my lawn and find this Vanilla Gift card in the grass. Now, I know why. I thought I would contact customer service to find out my balance. Checking your balance does not work through your phone (android), desktop or phone. When you call, they give you a random number to choose. When you hit the number, the call hangs up. I'm waiting on their customer service now. 20 minutes. My guess is you stay in waiting limbo until you give up. This company is a total and complete scam. Guessing a disgruntled customer tossed it out their car window in disgust.
Vanilla Card does NOT honor its Terms and Conditions and created internal processes preventing the activation of the Gift Card. Stay away from purchasing this gift card.
I purchased a Vanilla gift card from Walmart for $200! After i purchased it and went to use it the card was declined and after i checked the balance there was only .14 cents on the card! It had 2 pending transactions on it one for 197 and the other for 2.30 for pay pal! I reached out to the cardholder and they told me to reach out to pay pal and they told me it would take 15 calendar days to resolve the issue cause it was used fraudulently! Now i am waiting for my 200$ to be refunded to my card! Never ever will i buy this card ever again! I understand its not the vanilla cards fault but its also NOT my fault either! But at the end of the day Vanilla is responsible for their product! And they treat innocent customers like myself like we are the problem! Bad customer service!
At least you were to speak to someone. I spent an hour trying to get a human on the phone for the same problem you had. Bought a $200 card and it would not work. They told me to contact the seller (Walmart) and Walmart told me they couldn't do anything, that it was on Vanilla. My situation still has not been resolved. I even called Mastercard and the bank listed on the back of the card. Both stated it was not their problem. This has been a nightmare. DO NOT BUY VANILLA GIFT CARDS!
A fraudulent Company taking advantage of it's customers. I purchased a $50 dollar Visa Gift Card directly from the company site at vanillagift.com Upon trying to use the card over multiple vendors I continued to get declined stating that the card was invalid.
After calling the company and having to use the Lost or Stolen option (you will not reach a human otherwise). I was told not all vendors accept their cards. Problem is, this is not the first Vanilla gift card I have purchased. Just the first one I Purchased DIRECTLY from THEM.
I am then told I have to take it up with the retailer! THEY ARE THE RETAILER, after asking for a supervisor I had to repeatedly tell her I bought it from them. To which then her answer was, we do not issue refunds on VIRTUAL cards!
I asked repeatedly for a number or physical mailing address to their LEGAL department to which I was told they do not have that information.
THIS IS CONSUMER FRAUD!
I just added money to my Vanilla card. When I called for the balance because the back of my card had 3 numbers on it not 4. They said they would hold my card unless I provided them with certain documents. I just put that money on the card to pay my medical insurance. It will be canceled if it is not paid! I will hold Vanilla responsible for any medical bill I get!
I received a $100.00 Vanilla Visa gift card for a Christmas gift 2019. I went to use it on E bay and found it only had $0.39 left on it. Someone used the card on Pay Pal .
I received a $100.00 Vanilla Visa gift card for a Christmas gift 2019. I went to use it on E bay and found it only had $0.30 left on it.
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I was given a $50 Visa Gift card by a neighbor for helping her fix her roof. It was 3 weeks old and I went to use it at a restaurant.
The server told me the card was only good for $41. I showed him the receipt for $50 and he just said Visa has fees.
VISA GIFT CARDS ARE AN ENORMOUS RIP OFF! DO NOT BUY THEM, THEY ARE A SCAM
Why are these cards still sold. Why isn't there a investigation?
Total Rip off my children bout these for my birthday and were never used i found them in my desk and saw they had expired. So I called to replace and when I contacted Vanilla they said they were activated and the fees ate the 100.00 worth of credit. I never opened the gift cards and they were never activated so what, joke, so beware
Vanilla Gift Card is a total rip-off- I gave a $25. gift Card to a young who had a new baby. She could not redeem goods with it...embarrassing. I contact the customer service department to no avail. I had to her cash and take back this useless card. Vanilla owes me $25. And I am expecting to be reimbursed. Signed Retiree
Beware of Alexis Patterson of Louisville Kentucky on Facebook she says she works for vanilla reload for example
Buy a card she can add zero's $300 to $3000 but when you give her the info she blocks. You from her facebook and emptys the card
I'm not surprised to read about the scam and all these complaints about VANILLA VISA gift cards. As a merchant, I've seen a few of these Vanilla Visa gift cards at the retail level. Of three incidents where buyers used the Vanilla card for payment, all three incidents turned out to be fraudulent. So basically it sounds like the company, Vanilla Visa, is stealing not only from the consumer, but from the merchants as well, by claiming that the charges were fraudulent and should be charged back. On the other hand, I have to say in hindsight that the particular buyers who presented the Vanilla Visa gift cards were themselves shady characters who not only used Vanilla Visa cards, but other gift cards (Target, etc.) as well -- all turning out to be the subject of fraud analysis. Perhaps they were using these gift cards but somehow loaded the cards with stolen accountholder data, hence the fraud. Or the gift cards could have been purchased with different credit cards that contained stolen cardholder info.
I put 100 dollars on this card and when I first tried to use it, it failed. I called their customer service number on the back [protected]. It asked me to enter the 16 digit number and press # so I carefully did and pressed # and it said it was invalid. Did that about 3 times and I got so disappointed I found this page and was going to rant but then I went to their website www.vanillavisa.com and entered the info carefully and it said I had all the money there so i thought "Why cant i use it then?" Then it had a column that said "register card" and had you enter your zip code. I did that and tried again with their customer service. Turns out they were trying to say more words for me to enter stuff like the cvv and the expiration date before I press # but I was doing it so quickly and pressing pound that I didn't hear them until I slowed down. WAIT TO HEAR WHAT THE SERVICE PEOPLE SAY BEFORE PRESSING THE # BUTTON! That's what I did and now I can use this card :)
Someone mentioned something about the maintenance fee to cover servers, etc. and as a software engineer I will be first to say this is complete s*** and that comment was probably from a plant working for the bank. That $4.95 just to buy the damn thing will more than cover "server costs" 20 times over and then some. Stick with store gift cards
I bought a 100.00 dollar vanilla gift card at the end of march 2012, I try to pay my bill and it was beeing decleine! we try getting ahold of a customer representative but all you get is a stuppid machine repeting it self... never ever buy a vanilla visa card. Does any one know were to call or who to get ahold off.?
On December 20th 2011 I bought a Visa Prepaid Gift Card for my husband for a Christmas gift. This was a $75.00 Gift Card which I also paid $5.50 for an activation fee. The card in total cost me $80.50. When my husband went to use the card he was unable to do so. Apparently the company packaged the cards wrong and we did not receive a working card. We call them immediately and were unable to fix this issue over the phone. The request that we fax the front and back of the card, the package and the store receipt of the purchased card. We did this beginning of January and a week later we were told they could not read the numbers on the front of the card. So I went back to staples and re-faxed it again on 20 Jan. One month later and no calls or new card I call them again. Apparently they still can’t read the front of the card and can’t give us our money back or a new card. So as of right now Vanilla Visa has stolen our money and wont do anything to fix. I am going to be trying a new method of getting my money back by scanning the stupid card in color. Maybe now they can read it and stop stealing our money. If any of you out there were affected by this leave a post.
Also to those out there that bought these cards from Shoppers Drug Mart and did not retain a receipt and lost their money because they will not reimburse you or send you a new card without one, Please leave a post with your story. Maybe we can get enough followers on this group that we will get their attention and everyone can get their money back. My advice never again by a Visa Prepaid Gift Card!
Join the group below
http://www.facebook.com/groups/177740905672089/
This card is a scam! DO NOT BUY THIS CARD! They use restaurants as a way to snag 20% without you knowing it. If you use a $50 card, only $40 of is usable at a restaurant because Vanilla withholds the $10 as a supposed tip the restaurant may want to add on later. Who does that? Why do they care what tip I leave? I'll explain why they do this. They claim they hold the funds and them put the funds back after 8 days if no tip is added. Of course at the moment of purchase the waiter comes back to you and says you only have $40 left on the card so most people would think the card must be maxed out and discard it. But they don't know they will get their money back in 8 days. They just snagged your $10 bucks! This company should be out of business for pulling this obnoxious trickery!
Don't buy them. And for the jerks that keep posting rude statements about researching this product. Here's a factoid: VanillaVisa Gift card asserts it can be used anywhere THAT'S ANYWHERE Visa is accepted. Wrong. PayPal won't touch them because Vanilla Visa won't allow you to register your address, only a zip code. And as for the kid that stated that they have to charge after 6 months, because it costs them too much for their servers, you are about as intelligent as a grape. The data takes no space, number one, and it was 13 months, before they decided to change it to 7 months. Figure out the balance, find a store that does split transactions and zero the balance yourself. These ### don't deserve the money.
Tried to use the gift card, DECLINED! was asked by the wait staff to hang around until card was accepted. (a little embarrassed in front my guest) finally when it was accepted minus twenty dollars I was on my way. Tried to pull up web site to see why there was such a difference from the face value to actual value and computer gave me a warning NOT TO OPEN SITE. So I would not recommend purchasing this card.
I received a VV card as a wedding gift. It expired in less than 60 days after getting it. Once they reissued another card they REFUSED to activate the card no matter how many times me and the card purchaser called with her information. We called collectively no less than 12 times. This is the biggest scam around. I think that they hope that they will wear you down so that you give up and go away and they get to keep the money you invested in buying the card. DO NOT BUY THESE CARDS!
horrible card, horrible company, horrible experience, , ,
received my cards as a birthday gifts (400$) and (200$) so i decided to go to the outlet malls (which is about 45 miles away from where i live) ! so before i actually get in my car i called them up and made sure that the cards are activated and i could start using them ? so they tell me yes everything is fine and i could start shopping ? so i drive the 45 miles and started shopping ? then i go to the cashier to pay ! got declined on both cards ! so i call the company back ? couldnt reach a rep ? so i go to 6 different stores with the same result (DECLINED!), so i finally spoke with a rep and he told me that there servers were down ? thats why i couldnt use the cards ? so i had to drive another 45 miles empty handed, , , , ,
so the next week i go to the same outlet malls (and spoke with a rep to make sure that there servers are OK) and they assured me that i could go shopping and wished me luck ! so i go to the outlet mall and guess what ? got declined on every single place that i tried ! and here is the kicker ? when i spoke to one of the reps ? she told me that there servers are down ? so basically every time they have a problem with any of there computers ? we cannot have access to our funds, , ,
PS: tried using the cards at a local gas station and did not work as well !
MONEY SPENT ON GAS AND TOLL : 45$
TIME WASTED DRIVING AND SHOPPING : 6 HOURS
TIME WASTED ON PHONE : 2.5 HOURS
EMBARRASSMENT AND HEADACHE : BEYOND IMAGINATION
LIFE WITH OUT THIS CARD : PRICELESS
Being a busy bride to be, I thought getting a pre-loaded card would be a great idea. I wouldn't have to carry large amounts of cash and I could use it online. I received a vanilla visa as a gift prior ($25) and used it up after a couple weeks, without any incident. I assumed it was a reliable option, besides, it's a pre-paid card, nothing could go wrong when the funds are applied before use, right?
WRONG!
I bought the card and loaded it with $500. I registered and activated the card online, read ALL the fine print, and I figured I was as good as gold. I bought a few items online, no problem. Purchased supplies from Hobby Lobby and Michaels over the course of a week, no problem. I kept track of my balance, and checked them against the phone service and online service, no problem.
On Saturday, I left with my bridal party to get more supplies from Hobby Lobby. I again checked my balance the night prior, $340.70, so I'm clear to purchase right?
WRONG!
I picked out a couple of items, and the total came to $41.20. Slid the card, declined. Slid again, declined. I called in, they told me to check the website. I explained that DUH, the website is down. "That is the problem then. It will take 2-4 hours and your card will resume service." A couple hour later, website is up, and my funds are at $340.70. I went to ebay and made a $4.00 purchase, no problems.
Today, Monday, I go to JC Pennys to get my fiances ring. A simple band, $80. (Mind you, my balance is now roughly $336.70) Declined. Swipe again, declined. I call the number, "Oh we are having IT problems, they are working hard to fix them." I explain the situation from Saturday, "Oh, well I am not aware of anything from Saturday, we just started having this problem today." I told them that was curious, according to online complaints, it has been a problem since 2008, I would assume these things would be ironed out by now. He stated he couldn't do anything as their system was down, he couldn't check my balance and such. I told him my balance was far more then the purchases I was attempting to make. He told me once again, there is nothing he could do.
As soon as I have my funds available, I will be spending the $5 on a new piece of plastic with the balance of my POS Vanilla Visa.
For a group of people to take time out of their schedule and write about a gift card not meeting their expectations as if it was a regular credit card must be the most exciting thing in the world! I purchased this Vanilla Gift Card and before using it, or letting it sit for a year, just like all you people took time to write about how bad the product is I took some time to read the little piece of paper that came with the card. Oh, I also visited their web page which is clearly printed on their card and says please visit for cardholder agreement updates. The cardholder agreement (the piece of paper) goes into GREAT detail on how exactly to use the card. I purchased a variable load card and loaded FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS! On the cardholder agreement it states exactly how to process the card, how to use it at the gas station, how to use it at resturants and how to use it online. Stop being IDIOTS and read a product user agreement before using it. This giftcard may not be exactly like a credit card, obviously, but it gets the job done. ITS A FREAKING GIFT CARD! Also, I was able to get a Live Rep within the first 4mins of calling. Common Sense are the keywords to life people.
You can't be serious? You're the definition of a narcissist. Like you're the only person that knows how to read instructions. 😂 We read the instructions and called customer service and spoke to very incompetent people. Maybe you got lucky because most of us got ripped tf off. Get help because you're a full blown narcissist.
Exactly , I as well as all the other people that are writing about being ripped off DID exactly like your suppose to and still GOT ripped off
Well...I find that response insulting. In my case, I never had the chance to use it. Activated, and an hour later, someone somewhere had taken the money. That has nothing to do with a damn user agreement. Pay attention before you start blasting people who have had money stolen...Seems to me that there are way too many people her with the same issue. This isn't an issue on how to use it. It's a "Gift Card" plain and simple and backed by Visa...It should be taken anywhere that Visa is taken... End of story! [censored]!
my parents bought me a vanilla gift card for Christmas..2010 its now March and We went to purchase the item we were saving for... The merchant could get the card to work... then calling customer service... The had their system down and said to try back in an hour.. Called back.. same thing... called back same thing.. said to try the next day... Tried the next day, Still on HOLD.. for over 30 plus minutes.. Tried to access our account on line.. The Sight is DOWN !.. What a JOKE ! All I can say is... My Parents put ALOT of money on this Card and this is a total MESS!
you know i agree i got a visa gift card as a wedding gift. It had $500 on it...I have never used it. I am here in Houston, and went to finally use the card----I was so embarassed! The card was declined! I was standing in a Major Department store. The clerk swiped the card again... we waited, and waited...it declined again. I was so frustrated and hurried off to check my balance via online. The website was down. Called the number..I went through the "phone tree" entered all the requested information and the call disconnected 3x's. I am so through with this [censor] [censor] VISA GIFT CARD. PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF THE TROUBLE AND NEVER GET, GIVE, OR ACCEPT ONE.
I received a $25 VV card for my birthday about a year ago, the first time I tried to use it about a month after getting it, it did not work. I recently tried checking the balance on line, the card number was not recognized. I called customer service and found out it was not activated at the time of purchase. I have to say that cash is a better gift, there is no 16% up front activation charge, no monthly fee, no expiration date, no chance of it being not activated and much easier being accepted at a store.
I purchased this card today to send something to my boyfriend whom is currently in another city for work.
****************IF YOU READ THE WEBSITE & FINE PRINT...they tell you that you will be charged MONTHLY if the card has not been used. These types of gift cards are not suppsed to be in the closet or your wallet for years.
But this is what upsets me..I've never used a prepaid card at a gas station. I now know that this is a HUGE mistake! DO NOT SWIPE AT THE PUMP! ?They will automatically put a $75 HOLD on the card! Even though the website states the following..."If you pay at the pump for gas, the pump terminal may check to see if you have funds to pay for up to $75 worth of gas because the station doesn't know how much you are going to buy. If you do not have $75 available on your Card, your transaction may be declined. If you plan to buy less than $75 worth of gas, it is recommended that you give your Card to the station attendant and state exactly how much gas you want to purchase, instead of swiping your Card at the pump." IT DOESN'T SAY THAT THERE WILL BE A HOLD ON YOUR ACCOUNT. NOR DOES IT SAY THAT THE MONEY WILL BE REFUNDED AFTER 4 DAYS.
I had to call customer care. You don't have to listen to the long automated voice thing, just enter in your card info and press ZERO, then it will send you to the main menu...press SIX to speak to someone.
This card sucks.
If anyone would like, the issuing bank (at least now) is Bancorp.
The Bancorp Inc.
409 Silverside Road
Suite 105
Wilmington, DE 19809
United States - Map
Phone: [protected]
Fax: [protected]
Website: http://www.thebancorp.com