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Vanilla Gift Cards review: Scam / fraud / lies 76

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Author of the review
10:44 am EST
Review updated:
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I received a Vanilla Gift Card for 50.00 for Christmas 2020. I attempted to activate and use the card on Nov 17, 2021 almost a year later. I logged on to activate, and was given a balance of 2.00. The card was in my possession and had never been removed from the secured package. Further checking showed that on Nov 2, 2021 the card number was presented to Garges K. Hana (unknown to me) for 2.67 and on that same date to WalMart Supercenter for 85 cents. Finally, on Nov 3, 2021 to JNIK INC. #14 Long Beach for the amount of 44.48. I immediately contacted the Vanilla and was told I needed to complete the Fraud Documents and return them to Vanilla Visit Customer Service Fraud. I did that on Nov 18, 2021. I have called the number given on 3 occasions and there is a wait time to speak with a Representative in the excess of an hour. I have not been able to get the status of this investigation. Being in Law Enforcement, this appears to be someone working inside of the Vanilla Company. All I want is for my 50.00 to be restored to me. Vanilla Visa may have a good reputation but it sure does not seems that way to me. You can never get through on the phone and there is no links in the email to ask about the status of Fraud investigations. The governing authorities should investigate the practices of this company. Please help me get what is rightfully mine and was possibly taken by one of the employees through a scam. This is the Fraud ID #[protected] and card number [protected]

Desired outcome: Return the 50.00

76 comments
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Angel Fluff
, US
Dec 08, 2023 7:47 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

The exact thing happened to me. It pisses me off greatly! I want my money back.

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Tom Dubrish
, US
Apr 13, 2023 8:00 pm EDT
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How does is this place allowed to stay in business? They took $175 of mine, said I'd get a replacement card, as the first wouldn't work. I never received the replacement, and now they cant/wont help me get my hard earned money back. DONT USE THESE Fraudulent CARDS...Look at their BBB complaints, they average 1 star out of 4. SCREW YOU VANILLA FUDGE!

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Teresa1970ly
, US
Feb 23, 2023 11:50 am EST

I received $100 Vanilla Mastercard. I went to use it and it wouldn't work. I opened in right out of the package to get gas. I looked on the back of the card and there was a barcode sticker over top of the real barcode. That sticker matched the number on the packaging. So CLEARLY the people working in the facility are the scammers! They are putting fake bar codes and keeping the cards with those barcodes. Then when you activate, you are activating the cards they are keeping. I'm on hold right now, but not holding my breath that they will help me. I just want them to realize that the problem is in their packaging place because no one else could have done that!

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walmartvictim
miami, GB
Feb 16, 2023 1:01 am EST

I bought a gift card from Vanilla for $65 and when the card didn't work and i called the company for help, I got a manager name Ray who wouldn't give me his last name but told me if I have him my name, number, date of birth and mother's maiden name that he would see what he could do if that "board" would "take up my case" or not. If they granted me such an honor of "taking up my case" I would have an answer within 60 business days. I confess I would not give him my address becasue I was afraid he might steal my identity. I read him the card numbers and he told me that the numbers "don't match". What the hell does THAT mean.? This was the card that his company sold me only a day ago. THESE PEOPLE ARE SELLING FAKE GIFT CARDS and iI fully expect to see Ray and his Walmart cronies on American Greed. DO NOT BUY VANILLA GIFT CARDS FROM WALMART. They are running a scam. You will NEVER get the chance to actually use your card because the card they will give you will not work. Period.

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Jeremy Schossau
, US
Jan 31, 2023 8:06 pm EST

I had a $20 VANILLA.GIFT VISA CARD and I never used it. It was always in my possession and I finally went to use it and it had no money on it. I check online and it said it had two purchases, same amount by the same place...ANCHOR.FM. IT IS FRAUD. But what is worse, I cannot find a way to call and actually talk to a person or email them. DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO CONNECT WITH THEM beyond their automated responses? I am so sick of the thieving in our world.

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Chiquita Banana
Houston, US
Mar 16, 2023 3:30 pm EDT

There is a # on the card1-[protected], but takes about 45 minutes to get someone, then they send you a case# but it's riddled with errors. So you have to send an e-mail to an incomm email (that's on the fraud claim)...because there are errors on the claim THAT THEY MADE! I saw the errors immediately and alerted the person I was on the phone with and was told that I could correct the address and contact#...lie. When I called back after 4 days of not getting a corrected claim form, I was told that I should have replied directly to the initial e-mail I rec'd...the e-mail clearly stated it was an 'UNMONITORED EMAIL, DO NOT REPLY'

Called 3 times, get the run around then told it takes up to 90 days...by then, you will have forgotten or their investigation may prove there was no fraud. Sounds very scammy

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Jay 2023
Toronto, CA
Apr 05, 2023 6:23 pm EDT

Same like Ivalicee.com, neither of their two emails or telephone number works, big time scam.

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Janissa Sims
, US
Jan 27, 2023 3:52 pm EST

Anyone have a vanilla gift card that got hacked by someone at windcreek play? I guess an online gabling. ?

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Eileen MacPherson
, US
Mar 26, 2023 2:22 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I just tried to use my $200 vanilla visa card. I went online to check the balance to be sure i remembered the amount. The Vanilla gift card check balance site showed that yes the balance was 200. Within minutes I went to amazon to load my amazon account so i could make a purchase. It was declined. I tried several times thinking maybe i entered wrong. Nope.

I went to vanilla site again and the site itself would not work for this card, it was not a site error because it worked for my other card just fine. i tried and tried and tried. it kept saying to try again.

By the time I got into the site the next day the balance was 200. I did the same thing with amazon. Again Declined.

Now today, I can actually see the transactions on vanilla and i see all my transactions declined but there are approved PAYPAL transactions with this: PAYPAL *ZHANGSHAAOJ - ! Like what the heck, right?

Now I am currently on hold with Vanilla for almost an hour and NO ANSWERS to what happened or how it can happen? Seriously?

DO NOT BY VANILLA GIFT CARDS. THEY ARE NOT RELIABLE AND THERE IS NO CUSTOMER SERVICE WORTHY OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY I HAVE SPENT ON THESE CARDS OVER THE YEARS~~!

The rep tells me that their policy is that it is like cash and therefore has the same risk. However, how is that possible when the card NEVER left my possession? It has been sitting under my computer keyboard and no one had access to it.

This is crazy. I asked to speak to a supervisor, manager, vice president, CEO anyone and they put me hold and here I sit on hold AGAIN!

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Dberg
Elgin, US
Apr 03, 2023 1:51 pm EDT
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I received a $150.00 card as a sales award which the company often does.

Got it at the end on November and tried to use it on 1/14, there was a balance of 1 CENT on the card.

It was previously used in Oakland CA, I live in IL.

Waisted hours to correct by phone... NO one ever answers!

They are Crooks!

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dmnyc
, US
Jan 27, 2023 8:22 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have another theory about how these Vanilla gift cards get hacked: when you try to check your balance. I think there may be scam sites pretending to Vanilla Gifts Cards. You unwittingly plug in all the card's info, and voila! hackers have all they need to use your card.

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Sher128
Phoenix, US
Feb 09, 2023 5:03 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of dmnyc

Beginning to think the same thing, tried to use a $50.00 card this am and it was denied for some reason at 9am. Came home to check the balance and all of a sudden 2 $25.00 charges made right after which then used the card up. Tried to send emails to the email address listed on site but they keep coming back. Finally got a customer service rep, explained the issue and have to call back 2-16-23 to wait til the 2 paypal charges by someone other than me drop off or they will investigate them. I did get into a site that showed me who made the 2 PayPal of $25.00 charges by 2 companies I have never heard off but then when I put card # in, it states invalid card so I think someone has created a fraudulent website to steal card info etc. Tried to explain to customer rep but line was static so don't think they understood what I said etc.

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Eileen MacPherson
, US
Mar 26, 2023 2:24 pm EDT
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Replying to comment of dmnyc

OMG - YOU ARE RIGHT! I did have to try twice to get my balance! And, realized that the first site was not really vanilla gift card even though it looked just the same!

Here's my story:

I just tried to use my $200 vanilla visa card. I went online to check the balance to be sure i remembered the amount. The Vanilla gift card check balance site showed that yes the balance was 200. Within minutes I went to amazon to load my amazon account so i could make a purchase. It was declined. I tried several times thinking maybe i entered wrong. Nope.

I went to vanilla site again and the site itself would not work for this card, it was not a site error because it worked for my other card just fine. i tried and tried and tried. it kept saying to try again.

By the time I got into the site the next day the balance was 200. I did the same thing with amazon. Again Declined.

Now today, I can actually see the transactions on vanilla and i see all my transactions declined but there are approved PAYPAL transactions with this: PAYPAL *ZHANGSHAAOJ - ! Like what the heck, right?

Now I am currently on hold with Vanilla for almost an hour and NO ANSWERS to what happened or how it can happen? Seriously?

DO NOT BY VANILLA GIFT CARDS. THEY ARE NOT RELIABLE AND THERE IS NO CUSTOMER SERVICE WORTHY OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY I HAVE SPENT ON THESE CARDS OVER THE YEARS~~!

The rep tells me that their policy is that it is like cash and therefore has the same risk. However, how is that possible when the card NEVER left my possession? It has been sitting under my computer keyboard and no one had access to it.

This is crazy. I asked to speak to a supervisor, manager, vice president, CEO anyone and they put me hold and here I sit on hold AGAIN!

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Eileen MacPherson
, US
Mar 26, 2023 2:25 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Sher128

YES! I think this is what is happening. Fake Web Sites!

I just tried to use my $200 vanilla visa card. I went online to check the balance to be sure i remembered the amount. The Vanilla gift card check balance site showed that yes the balance was 200. Within minutes I went to amazon to load my amazon account so i could make a purchase. It was declined. I tried several times thinking maybe i entered wrong. Nope.

I went to vanilla site again and the site itself would not work for this card, it was not a site error because it worked for my other card just fine. i tried and tried and tried. it kept saying to try again.

By the time I got into the site the next day the balance was 200. I did the same thing with amazon. Again Declined.

Now today, I can actually see the transactions on vanilla and i see all my transactions declined but there are approved PAYPAL transactions with this: PAYPAL *ZHANGSHAAOJ - ! Like what the heck, right?

Now I am currently on hold with Vanilla for almost an hour and NO ANSWERS to what happened or how it can happen? Seriously?

DO NOT BY VANILLA GIFT CARDS. THEY ARE NOT RELIABLE AND THERE IS NO CUSTOMER SERVICE WORTHY OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY I HAVE SPENT ON THESE CARDS OVER THE YEARS~~!

The rep tells me that their policy is that it is like cash and therefore has the same risk. However, how is that possible when the card NEVER left my possession? It has been sitting under my computer keyboard and no one had access to it.

This is crazy. I asked to speak to a supervisor, manager, vice president, CEO anyone and they put me hold and here I sit on hold AGAIN!

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Yuri2424
Jacksonville, US
Mar 26, 2023 3:03 pm EDT

the customer rep just hanged up on me while i was trying to explain to him because this is my first time loading up and activating the card. and i loaded in $390 i am in disbelief right now.

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Yuri2424
Jacksonville, US
Mar 26, 2023 3:04 pm EDT

what is the REAL website you checked btw?

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Eileen MacPherson
, US
Mar 27, 2023 1:53 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Yuri2424

VanillaGift.com

Update: The customer service supervisor said that they are aware of the fake websites that look amazingly like Vanilla's and that customers should type in the web address manually rather than search for it.

I responded that that should be in big giant red letters on the packaging - It is not on the packaging at all.

I am surprised that some agency is not monitoring and cracking down. :(

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Cahootz
, US
Jan 27, 2023 6:25 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I BELIEVE, the company is a SCAM and a FRAUD! Due to comment guidelines and the active claims I have with the company - I have claims for the claims they incorrectly processed! So suspicious I BELIEVE they do it intentionally, I will refrain from exposing the names, times and information I have with valid proof. They should be investigated.

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dsmnyc
, US
Jan 06, 2023 9:28 am EST

Had six unauthorized charges on a generic Vanilla Visa gift card. Contacted their customer service and was asked for my name, address and DOB in order to open a dispute complaint! Why would they need my date of birth? Very shady stuff going on. Do not buy Vanilla gift cards.

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perritt
LANCASTER, US
Jan 06, 2023 7:08 pm EST
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Replying to comment of dsmnyc

they did the same to me. Also wanted me to send a copy of my license with a copy of the visa card

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perritt
LANCASTER, US
Jan 06, 2023 7:12 pm EST
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Replying to comment of perritt

Is there anyway to have this looked into?

TheldrakisCS
TheldrakisCS
, US
Jan 04, 2023 12:15 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

criminals have some ways to bypass the security seals on some of the gift card holders and copy the card number on the back and security code. then they sit and wait for it to be activated, when it is they use up the balance so even if it is sitting in your drawer un activated by you the money is being stolen. it is not [from what i understand] the company who does the theft. its people who like stealing in general.

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Sonya Bartash
Jenkintown, US
Jan 04, 2023 11:14 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

There's a new one too. Start chatting for 1 minute, and they'll resolve the issue for just $5.00 and if not satisfied, they'll return the $5.00. 2023 customer service for a world wide credit card company, another joke..

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Sonya Bartash
Jenkintown, US
Jan 04, 2023 11:11 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Waited 90 days for a resolution to an open dispute for a Vanilla Gift card, that had been used by a third party. Was told needed 24 to 48 hours to resolve issued after 90 days, was ridiculous, and told them so. Got a supervisor on phone after 40 minutes of waiting for one, and she told me, couldn't hear me, and to call back, and promptly hung up on me. Awful, awful credit card company, plus unfair horrible customer service. A mere $100.00, and had to go thru this frustration is deplorable. Whatever happened to good customer service, and care for the people who buy this cards? Apparently, gone..

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dmnyc
, US
Jan 27, 2023 8:10 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Yes, they did the same thing to me too, said they couldn't hear me and hung up. After the second person did that, duh, it finally dawned on me it's how they get rid of you.

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PASTMASTER357
, US
Jan 02, 2023 4:43 pm EST

I purchased this gift card for 500 bucks in April 4 cards, cards were activated by my wife one of the cards was fraudulent used as soon as we activated it. she was able to finally get the money back for that card. one of the others card I had a balance of 53.00 ;eft on it in September 2022 the monies were stolen unauthorize use where I saw it before the transaction was processed call and got the run around by customer service. After 2 days finally was told a case would be open and I would get a form to fill out which I had to call back 2 weeks later before the e-mail with form was sent. Long story short 3 months later and there has been zero resolution to my claim trying to contact them as others have laid out is impossible. I will nerve ever purchase another card from them

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Mack Jones
, US
May 11, 2023 8:25 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

After activating a 500 dollar gift card funds were empty in 20 minutes. I should have not brought it lost money once before on a vanilla gift card. I will inform the post exchange that the cards are a problem.

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dana lay
pine knot ky, US
Dec 06, 2022 12:02 pm EST

I went to use my card and it keep saying denied, then when i get home the money was took off my card. What i have read about this place it is a joke.

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Billie wood
, US
Nov 16, 2022 10:22 am EST

I was given a $250 Vanilla gift card in February 2022 as a retirement gift. I spent $190.68 back in May leaving a balance of $59.32. I planned to use the balance on 11/11 so I checked my balance and it was $.32. Coincidentally, there was a charge put through on the same day for $50 against my balance. It was put through paypal and the name of the company was "Choctawapar". I looked them up and couldn't find anything about them. I called Vanilla Gift card and couldn't get through to anyone after waiting over an hour on hold. This company is a fraud and they are stealing people's money. I would never do business with them. Even when you try and use their chat feature, they are no help.

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Ignacio Castro.
Calexico, US
Nov 12, 2022 3:07 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I received a vanilla gift card from my brother for my birthday. It was supposed to be a $50 card. The card had an expiration date of 8/2029, so i didn't feel the need to use it right away. About 3 months ago i attempted to use it at Macys store to pay for some items. The card was still in its package so i opened it and gave it to the clerk. The card only had a balance of $10. I called Incomm which is the company that sells these card and explained to them what happened along with pictures of the card, the package, the receipt from macys store showing a balance of only $10. After months of waiting they sent me a email letting me know that they had denied my claim because i did not use the card promptly. This is a lame and fraudulent excuse to steal my money. Like i said before, the card had a expiration date of 8/2029. Aperantely im not the only one that has experienced this issue with this company. Dont waste your money buying these gift cards. They are no good. Better that you give real money instead. Save yourself a headache. This company is a fraud. They steal your money.

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Jody 7788
806401333Austin, US
Nov 11, 2022 9:52 pm EST

I just bought vinnala card wallgreens here is the scammer taking this money9033419996. That’s the nuber of the scammer I hope fbi sees this if you get person using this 903 number you get the bad guy

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HowdyItzMe
, US
Nov 10, 2022 12:09 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

If you are calling one of the numbers. They appear to have 2 of them for different beginning card numbers. One of them gives the impression that the only options are balance and request a replacement card and report lost or stolen. In order to get the customer service option, you have to press the option for balance. you'll get to a second level menu after it says your balance where you have further options, the last of those is customer service. I think they intentionally hid the customer service under that second level under the balance option to reduce their incoming calls. Their isn't a good reason for it not to be on the main menu. anyway. the wait time is so long that it also prevents alot of people for wanting to hang around hoping someone answers.

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Gary Taylor/Taylor Music
, US
Oct 13, 2022 3:10 pm EDT

I bought a Vamilla Gift card for a birthday present from the local Rite Aid store,

It was activated at 8:59 on Thurs 10/13. When the recipient of the card tried to use it, it was declined because of a fraudulent purchase made a few minutes earlier.

When contacting rite aide, I was told that I have to deal with Vanilla card people.

After about a 20 minute on hold wait, I had a representative that said there was a pending charge of $100. I had just got the card and this was a fraudulent purchase that was pending. She said it was their policy not so stop the fraud, but I could wait till 10/21 to call back and complain. She repeated this several times. I asked for a supervisor and was stalled, then finally put on hold. After another 20 minutes, I got the same policy repeated but I said that they were not helping their customers but were in effect, helping the scammers. She disconnected the call. This seems to be a scam and has happened to me again.

I will be urging local companies not to carry the Vanilla gift card till they change their policy of helping scammers rob people of their gift amounts. I wish to complain against these seemingly fraudulent practices.

Please do not buy this product!

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T M Steele
, US
Oct 13, 2022 8:20 am EDT

I'm on my second dispute with Vanilla Visa and I've reached out to consumer complaints for my state. If you're in Texas, email: consumer.complaints@dob.texas.gov. This is ridiculous and needs to stop. What are the guidelines for a class action suit for mental stress in dealing with this?

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karisylvia
HENDERSON, US
Oct 05, 2022 11:11 am EDT

I was riped off for 260.50 Im elderly on limited income> i was pactch through to india i only spoke with them they were rude. shame on visa scamming people> when my card finally got workimg I had to go on website open an account with vanilla . well it said my card was active after the man I spoke with rudely told he deactivated my card. i went to walmart to see if it still was working I spent 10 dollars< so tomorrow i will pay my car insurance. when I went to pay my car insurance the card didnt work. I went back to the website and I found someone used my card on ebay and bed body and bath they spent all my money except 5. and some change. I called the number on back of cars after alot of [censored]ery I spoke with a hindu man( by the way there was children crying in background) well he assured me I could not do nothing cause I have to let all charges go through and to call next week and hung up< so I called back again spoke with a hindu lady who called herself Daizy. I thought funny name for hindu. she assure me there was nothing they could do untill charges cleared< she kept repeating same line every time I saked her to freeze the card she did nothe name of the bank or phone number she said she didnt have that information . the first man said call back on the 11th she told me call back on the 12th. so I went to the vanilla website and guess what. I cannot get in, my password and email was changed and I was pissed>visa should be respnsible for riping people off< i will not give up till I find a way for my momey to be refunded. is there a lawyer or someone that has a law suit against this vanilla gift,com cimpany. there must be something somewhwere that justice will be served. visa shame on u>ripping elderly anf other people off> of course i dont expect an answer cause visa hired fraud related people who love riping people off.

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MongoBongo
, US
Sep 21, 2022 11:00 pm EDT

I received a 100.00 gift card last April (2021) for my Birthday. Tried to use it a couple of weeks ago as part of a deposit on an iPhone. The Apple store would not let the two debit card be used and cancelled the transaction. Of course I had to contact Vanilla (Visa) and have funds put back on the card. I was told it would take up to 8 days to add the funds back on the card. I checked the card balance today and it appears that Vanilla has sold my gift card number, as there are two separate purchases on my card now that I did not make. One to a Michael Sil and one to PayPal? What the Fu#K! Called Vanilla (whose customer is in the Philippines, why I have no idea, but I'll be asking Visa Investor Relations) and they told me that they could not help me with a Fraud complaint because I have had my identity stolen before. So I will file a complaint with Apple, Visa and MD Dept of Consumer Relations. Never buy a Vanilla gift card again. The so called customer service Reps sell your gift card numbers. Bring Back customer service to the USA. What a novel idea!

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GW.
Union, US
Sep 16, 2022 4:50 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Total scam. Received a $500 gift card from special event. Tried to use it and found the balance was down to less than $5 after a bunch of fraudulent purchases made 2 days after I received the card. Contacted customer service, contacted fraud dispute, no help. Actually other than a couple of auto emails, got no response at all.

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T bot
, US
Aug 24, 2022 8:41 pm EDT

was checking balance using a tablet android and number got stolen

is site safe

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MongoBongo
, US
Sep 22, 2022 12:05 am EDT
Replying to comment of T bot

Obviously site is not safe.

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Donna J Palmer
Harrisburg, US
Aug 21, 2022 10:43 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I also received a Vanilla gift card and before I could use it someone used it. called and after 3 months I received a new card. Now I am going to use it as soon as I can.

Betty McKee parks
Betty McKee parks
Sharpsburg my 40374, US
Aug 01, 2022 9:15 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I bought a card at Sharpsburg ky 40374 of 200.00 dollars . I used my own money tht I worked for. My name is Betty Parks. I bought the card for a surprise to my daughter who struggles to buy food. But citizen Bank because I do 3 people banking for them. Bank thought it was fraud , stopped my card . Why I had permission for the money I was owed. I use alot vanilla card to do online to buy what's needed . But all at once it's against the law to buy a vanilla card.

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Mary Randall
Northville, US
Aug 01, 2022 8:58 pm EDT

Vanilla gift card master card — 500.0$ I immediately called vanilla gift card and was told call after 7 days — I did and was told they would send out the complaint form — never got — so now I am wondering what to do? bbb, or attorney general? so, sad so many people getting ripped off, and I am one of them!

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MongoBongo
, US
Sep 21, 2022 11:06 pm EDT

Philippines customer service scam!

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Mary Randall
Northville, US
Aug 01, 2022 8:54 pm EDT

How do we get the money back? I also imediatly called and was told wait 7 days--then I called and supposivily was mailed out a fraud form----WHAT ABOUT BBB, OR ATTORNEY GENERAL---HAS ANYONE GOTTEN THERE MONEY BACK!

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MongoBongo
, US
Sep 21, 2022 11:09 pm EDT

I was told to wait 8 days. About 4days too late. My Money is gone. Way to go USAA Visa!

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Doctor Scarf
, US
Jul 23, 2022 6:09 pm EDT

I bought a 25-dollar gift card to get a few steam keys on eBay that I wanted, luckily, I was able to get them but a few hours later, I wanted to check on my balance and was surprised when I saw that the remaining 9 dollars were gone and were spent on a clothing website called Dimensionalen, this is my first time buying a vanilla visa gift card and I'm already suspicious about them but I'm probably won't be buying from them again.

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Tom Krym
Phoenix, GB
Jul 28, 2022 9:43 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I got a Vanilla Gift Card for 100 dollars and checked my balance online and the card information was stolen by a phishing program. 2 charges were made not by me. 1 charge the merchant refunded but the company says it will have to wait for the other dispute for 50 dollars from pennyus.shop to be resolved before giving me my 49.98 back on a different card. I reported the card information stolen so they canceled the card and you can't put money back on it. These people are dragging their feet but I WILL NOT let up till I get my money back! I WILL win. I will call everyday if I have to file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General. Whatever I have to do I will do it!

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Vanilla Girt Cards are garbage
Livonia, US
Jul 23, 2022 5:41 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

By far Vanilla has the worst customer services I've ever worked with. I bought my wife a gift card that was lost. I immediately called the company with receipt in hand and was told to email them a copy of the receipt and my drivers license. I did that and waited. I called back a couple of weeks later and they told me to send them a copy of a utility bill. I did that and called them again. They told me they needed a pay stub. I sent that. I recently moved and sent them a copy of my new address.

This process is ongoing. I believe I'm up to 7 times calling them. They have lied to me on the phone and said the card will be in the mail, wait 30 days. Then they said they couldn't read my address. Another lie.

I told them I have the email in front of me and I can see it as plain as day.

I will continue to fight the good fight and see what I have to do to get my refund.

Vanilla is a no good garbage company that looks for any way to not pay you. There is a special place in hell for a company like this and I'm sick and tired of calling them with their redundant information.

Tell me your going to pay me or not. I will never use this company again and I will put on all my social medias never use their service. I know I'm not an influencer but I hope my connections/contacts/friends will never use them again.

I hope to be responsible for taking a bite, though it won't be much, out of their profit margin.

Rant over.

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MongoBongo
, US
Sep 21, 2022 11:15 pm EDT

Do not give vanilla your personal info. identity theft alert! never give someone your drivers license number! other than government or a credit company you trust. vanilla is not that entity!

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Judy Schnorr
, US
Jul 18, 2022 10:33 pm EDT

Judith schnorr

i wish to inform vanillagift card everyone wait till you see these fraud items and the numbers dollars.I have called every phone number lised for vanilla and my operator for my carrier comes and these numbers aren't in service. I also called sutton banks number same thing i am vary vary upset and i want a phone call from vanilla asap, i cannot afford this

my dist$4.95

njct market$1.99

indntity life $24.92

unmatched disc, $33.79

instacart $50.75

4d mustang $79.95

my angel yoga store $ 5.00

i wish here from someone i need this mon3y put back please asap

call me [protected] mrw. J schnorr

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AJByrd
Houston, US
Jul 17, 2022 11:14 am EDT

I received a Vanilla Gift car for my 50th Birthday (6/13/22). I went online on July 17, 2022, to check the balance, and the $25.00 was used the moment I was checking the balance. I called the 1-800 number on the back of the card. I was advised by Ms. Darlene after she spoke with her supervisor that they could see the pending charge, but there was nothing they could do at that time. I was told by her to wait 8 days to see if the charge would go through, if it does I need to call them back to file a complaint. This is my first time ever having an issue with a Vanilla Card. They know what's going on! I'm sure when I phone back in 8 days, nothing is going to be done.

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Roxane F
Ankeny, US
Jul 28, 2022 6:17 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of AJByrd

I am going through the very same myself right now! Everything you said is exactly what they said to me ! I find it very odd that when I inquired about my balance is when the so called fraudulent transaction took place just like it did with you ! I have always been told Vanilla Visa cards are nothing but scams & never to buy them ! I received mine as a gift other wise I would have never purchased one ! Now , the Vanilla Visa people want me to contact the place where the charge was made & have them reverse it & then call them back in 8 calendar days etc... SUCH A SCAM ! HOW ARE THEY GETTING AWAY WITH ALL THIS?! Numerous complaints on them as it is happpening all over with the Vanilla Visa ! I am contacting the Attorney General !

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MongoBongo
, US
Sep 21, 2022 11:36 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Roxane F

I will call USAA Visa and MD Attorney General tomorrow. Also will be calling Visa Investor Relations. Vanilla is a Total Fraud! The problem is that the call center is in the Philipines and they sell your gift card numbers to thieves.

Do not send any personal information to Vanilla. Call the credit card company, Visa or Mastercard directly and insist to speak with their Fraud department in the US. If you have already given them ANY personal information and have an actual Visa or Mastercard, have your card frozen or put on fraud alert status so you get a text and email when a charge is made to your account. Identity theft is no fun at all. Why Visa and Mastercard use Vanilla to sell gift cards is beyond me. Tell all of your family or friends NOT to purchase Vanilla Gift Cards! Onldy purchase gift cards purchased directly through Visa or Mastercard directly. It will save you many hours of time lost not to mention the money lost. GLTA

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MongoBongo
, US
Sep 21, 2022 11:50 pm EDT
Replying to comment of AJByrd

I feel your pain. Check back ASAP as I was told to wait 8days and after 4 the balance on my gift card was so efficiently transferred by Vanilla to a fraudster who promptly took my $100 balance down to $0.00 in two $50 transactions. I have no idea why VISA and MASTERCARD do business with these people and why Americans who need jobs cannot be hired here at home. Before anyone calls me racist, realize that the FED and current administration are trying to lower the employment rate. It's a cryin shame, but I digress.

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StavGP
, US
Jul 14, 2022 1:56 pm EDT

I received a $500.00 gift card for x-mas - went on line 7/12/22 to check balance - and already there was a charge for $500.00 the same day and the same time tried to verify the balance - company was E-commerce-Pledgebox - No help from customer service - they told me i had to call this E-Commerce and dispute charges myself and to check back in 5 days- really and of course the # they gave me was a VM.

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Smoochie
Inman, US
Jul 10, 2022 2:25 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I bought a 50 vanilla gift card in march 2022. I checked the balance on july 5th 2022 and it was 50.00. I didnt try to use the card until today 7/10/22 , it was declined so I went to check the balance and it has .50 cents on it and 48 charges of .99 cent charges from july 5th 2022, it just says google .I didnt buy anything so I called customer service and its going to take from 45 to 90 days to resolve! They need to be investigated and or shut down. .I'm gonna look and see who we can contact for help since this is an ongoing problem.

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MongoBongo
, US
Sep 21, 2022 11:21 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Smoochie

I'll second that!

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SaraJohn
Carthage, US
Jul 07, 2022 9:18 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have received Vanilla gift cards for a very long time, never had any trouble. Except for now! I have a $50 card I've never been able to use. There is a charge pending for a purchase I did not make. I realized that when I call the number on the back of the card and press the option for "lost or stolen" card, I can actually talk to a person. I have to wait 10 days to see if the pending purchase goes away, if it goes through I will have to file a complaint. And from reading all these entries, it doesn't look like I'll have much luck. Totally believe there is scamming happening on the inside. So disappointed.

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Ted Dungee
, US
Jul 13, 2022 8:45 pm EDT
Replying to comment of SaraJohn

Just happen to me today. Had two $200 cards and fake charges in the amount of $200 each Which I just got cards yesterday and Tried to use today to buy my Granddaughter some food and both cards were decline. I was so pissed. Has to be a inside Job in order to get number off cards.

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raven0256
WINSTON SALEM, US
Jul 01, 2022 5:45 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

i was defrauded and vanilla refuses to help. Im out $100.00 . Dont buy them

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Jenn Akers
, US
Jul 04, 2022 1:32 pm EDT
Replying to comment of raven0256

Just tried to check my balance and someone immediately used the money. Shows pending transactions which company wont stop from going through. They told me to call back in 5 days to file complaint.

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Vju60
Rochester, US
Jun 25, 2022 11:49 am EDT

Just purchased 3 cards yesterday, June 24,2022 and can not get Any of them activated! 2 in the amount of $500.00 and the other in the amount of $100.00. I can't believe what a joke this company is especially since I can not get to speak to anyone on the phone. Now I'm out of $1100.00 that I could use. SCAM!

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Kim Minick
, US
Jun 23, 2022 1:08 pm EDT

I received a $25 Vanilla Visa gift card for a retirement gift last year. I found it when I was cleaning out one of my bags. I had never opened it, but I after I opened it, I went online to check the balance. I was shocked to see that I had $3 on it! Someone spent money at a Food for Less in November (we don't have one around here) and then at a Dollar General. I called and they emailed me a complaint form. I went back online and tried to login to my account to get the dates and charges so I could fill out the form. No such luck. I get a "system error" message every time I try to login with my Visa number. Stay away from these cards!

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jraeh
Stafford, US
Jun 19, 2022 1:37 pm EDT

I received this card on June 15, 2022 for my birthday for $100. On June 19 I unzipped the package and logged on to verify it was ready to use. I was received an error. I called the number on the back and was told my card was active and the balance was $0. I asked for the last transactions and there was one on June 19, 2022 (today) in the amount of $100 to Chevron, NY, NY. The not very helpful person told me that would issue a decline and if it was in time the merchant would decline the charge and the money would go back on my card. If not, I needed to call back on the 26th or 27th to file a complaint. If I get the money back on my card, does that mean some one can use my card again? How did someone get the ability to use my card the moment I logged in.

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danny herring
, US
Jun 16, 2022 2:18 am EDT

I am sick of talking with these folks about my money I put on there card and they [censored]ted me I haven't told them to send my money to some wired place and they got the rest of my money blocked I'm going to feds about this its wire Fauld to used other folks money as it was yours I'm not playing about my damn mo0ney I'm going to Walmart and cussed them out for Saling this card you should be ashamed of yourself [censored]ting old folks out of money I have called asked them to refund my money for sanding my money to the wrong company, I asked them to pay Iracing on line raceing and they sent my money to iracing unlimited I called them they told me there not sending my money back [censored] I called the better business and there on it too what really makes me mad they blocked my card i cant used it cant get the rest of my money I paid for like FU your screwed not happening dan herring lenoir nc

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MongoBongo
, US
Sep 22, 2022 12:09 am EDT

Flood visa and mastercard with complaints!