Consumer Alert
Scammers push people to pay with iTunes gift cards
One thing we know about scammers — they want money, and they want it fast. That’s why, whatever the con they’re running, they usually ask people to pay a certain way. They want to make it easy for themselves to get the money — and nearly impossible for you to get it back.
Their latest method? iTunes gift cards. To convince you to pay, they might pretend to be with the IRS and say you’ll be arrested if you don’t pay back taxes right now. Or pose as a family member or online love interest who needs your help fast. But as soon as you put money on a card and share the code with them, the money’s gone for good.
If you’re not shopping at the iTunes store, you shouldn’t be paying with an iTunes gift card. Other payment methods scammers might ask for include Amazon gift cards, PayPal, reloadable cards like MoneyPak, Reloadit, or Vanilla, or by wiring money through services like Western Union or MoneyGram. Government offices won’t require you to use these payment methods.
If you get targeted by a scam like this, report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
Want to know more about avoiding scams? Read How to Avoid a Scam
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In reply to Bridget, I called ITunes by ttmishig
I think you're saying you bought 10 iTunes cards, and the scammers used the codes for nine cards. You have one card that wasn't redeemed. When you give iTunes cards or codes to a scammer, he gets the value of the cards. You can ask Apple Support or customer support at the grocery store about refunds or credits, but they don't have the cards or card value to return to you.
Please report this to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint so the information gets to law enforcement. When you report, the details go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations. You can provide details about the callers and what they said and other facts. You can also ask your state Attorney General’s office if they can help.
In reply to If you buy iTunes cards and by FTC Staff
I got scammed for 1900, plus money out of my pocket, and have 2 bank accounts closed now cause of them. They said i qualified for a $5000 loan, and bla bla bla Fell for it. Apple should refund the cards we used in the scam, I'm on social security too.
In reply to I got scammed for 1900, plus by Maxxmich
You could call Apple Support right away at 1-800-275-2273 to see if they can disable any of the cards you bought, in case the scammer hasn't used them yet.
Please report this to the FTC's law enforcement database at FTC.gov/complaint. The details you give will help law enforcement investigations. If you can provide phone numbers or email addresses or other information about the scammers, and details about what you bought and where it can help.
In reply to You could call Apple Support by FTC Staff
In reply to I got scammed for 1900, plus by Maxxmich
In reply to I got scammed for 1900, plus by Maxxmich
In reply to If you buy iTunes cards and by FTC Staff
In reply to Just told to purchase a itune by just me
I'm glad you avoided the scam. Please report what happened at FTC.gov/complaint. The details you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
The comments you post here on the blog don't go into the law enforcement database.
In reply to I just got scammed for $9000 by Ttmishig
In reply to I just got scammed for $9000 by Ttmishig
In reply to tell me all about it, i think by bablo
In reply to Meet someone on dating by Hopeless in love
The only place to use an iTunes card is at the iTunes store, to buy online music, apps or books.
In reply to I just got scammed for $9000 by Ttmishig
I'm with you!!!! My friend was scammed with ITune Cards. Okay, she was an idiot and fell for it but here's what I don't get -- Doesn't Apple own ITunes? They are so secure they do not break the code on cell phones. They don't do it for the FBI or anyone. They're loyalty is to their customers.
1. I did not know that ITune Cards can be turned to cash 2. I thought they could only be used to purchase music, videos and stuff like that. Only use it on ITunes website. 3. How can scammers turn that into immediate cash? 4. If Apple knows about this - why haven't they done something to prevent it. 5. It doesn't happen with Visa, MasterCard or American Express? 6. Or do they like this because they make money. 7. My friend was told that they stopped it & they froze 5 accounts 8. Apple told him to take the cards back to the store and they would refund the money. 9. Store said no because they $ was not on the cards 9. If they stopped the transfer and froze the accounts? Who has the money? 10. The grocery store or Apple? 11. What is wrong with this picture? 12. Who is really scamming us? Can't stand thieves!!! It is the lowest anyone can go. Work for it like honest people.
In reply to I'm with you!!!! My friend by reenee1
You're right; iTunes cards are good only to buy music, books and other digital content. Scammers are probably getting money by selling the codes from the back of iTunes cards.
If you tell someone the code from the back of an iTunes card, but you call Apple Support immediately, Apple Support might be able to disable the code before someone uses it.
If that happens, the card/ code still has value. You can go back to the store that sold you the card and tell customer service staff you want a refund. You might have to look online for a corporate number for customer service if the local store won't help you. You can also contact Apple Support again to confirm that the card still has value.
It's also really important to report this to law enforcement. You can report to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint, and the information will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations nationwide.
In reply to You're right; iTunes cards by FTC Staff
In reply to Bridget, you mentioned in by Shannon
Thanks for this information; we'll let people know they may need to contact the corporate customer service in addition to contacting Apple Support at 1-800-275-2273.
In reply to You're right; iTunes cards by FTC Staff
In reply to Bridget, ITunes rep was able by reenee1
If the money/ iTunes value is in someone's account, I think you have to work with Apple Support. Here's one number for Apple Support if you're calling from the US: 1-800-275-2273. You can also contact Apple Support online; you have to answer questions about the problem before you can connect to a person or chat function.
In reply to If the money/ iTunes value is by FTC Staff
In reply to You're right; iTunes cards by FTC Staff
In reply to So it seems many people are by karenl
Thank you for reporting this to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The FTC and other law enforcement agencies can use the information you submitted for investigations.
If the scammer pretended to be from the IRS, you can also file a complaint with the Treasury Inspector General, which investigates IRS imposter scams.
In reply to So it seems many people are by karenl
In reply to You're right; iTunes cards by FTC Staff
In reply to Bridget Small - FTC you keep by JC-Control7
You have been misinformed. While the FTC, like other law enforcement agencies, may not be able to fully recover victims' losses in all cases, it does return money to the victims.
Search the list of recent FTC cases that resulted in refunds on FTC.gov, and click on a case name. For example, in Direct Benefits Group refunds, the FTC mailed one round of refund checks in 2015. Because money still remains in the fund, the FTC is mailing an additional 23,000 checks totaling nearly $990,000. Or look at Oro Marketing, where the FTC is mailing 6,192 refund checks totaling over $1.3 million to people defrauded by a telemarketing scheme that targeted Spanish-speakers with false promises that they could make money by reselling high-end goods.
In addition to reviewing the list of FTC cases that resulted in refunds, you may also want to subscribe to FTC Press Releases, to learn about the cases and refunds as soon as they are announced.
In reply to I'm with you!!!! My friend by reenee1
In reply to I have contact whit scammer I by Don't use ytit…
If someone told you to buy iTunes cards and you think it was a scam, call Apple Support at 1-800-275-2273 right away. You may have to spend some time on hold.
Do not tell the codes from the back of the cards to anyone except a person you call at Apple.
Tell Apple what happened. Ask them to disable the cards so no one can use them. Ask Apple what to do to get a refund.
You can also go back to the store that sold you the card and talk with their customer service staff. Ask how to get a refund.
If you get more calls from someone who wants you to send an iTunes card, please tell the FTC.
In reply to I'm with you!!!! My friend by reenee1
In reply to This just happened to me and by CourtneyB
In reply to The same thing happened to me by Vulnerable
In reply to Please add a linked in icon by mary
In reply to Please add a linked in icon by mary
In reply to They just did that to me put by Christylove439
If someone has your bank account number, they can put money in and take money out.
A scammer might deposit stolen checks into your account, then withdraw the money or ask you to withdraw it and send it to someone. When the bank finds out there were stolen checks in your account, they will ask you about the transactions.
In reply to They just did that to me put by Christylove439
In reply to Did they report to the police by jlily
Sounds like a scam. Please report what happened at FTC.gov/complaint. The details you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
In reply to Please add a linked in icon by mary
Recently i received a call from someone claiming to be a grant writer. They gave me a conformation number and stated for me to go to Wallgreen's and buy a i tune card. I stated why an i tune card , they reply was so make sure you are the person and not a robot. Therefore i did nothing because i knew they were scammers because, the phone kept hanging up every time i was asking questions.Here is the number 786-410-3027 his name is Mr Travis.
In reply to Recently i received a call by motleycarmella
Thank you for sharing this story. Please report it to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.
The messages you put here on the blog don't go into the database.
In reply to Please add a linked in icon by mary
In reply to Please add a linked in icon by mary
In reply to What happens if they pay off by Petey70
If someone you don't know offers to pay off your credit card account, and wants you to send money (or iTunes cards or iTunes codes) in return, it's probably a scam.
A scammer can say paid your credit card bill, or send you to a fake site that makes it look like he paid your credit card bill, or even pay your credit card bill with a bad check that bounces later. If it turns out that he really didn't pay your credit card bill, but you already sent him money, you've been scammed.
If you buy iTunes cards and tell someone the code from the back, he takes control of the card immediately. He can use it or sell it. Once he takes control, you can't get your money back.
In reply to If someone you don't know by FTC Staff
In reply to I just got a job offer buying by Albert
This sounds like a job scam. When someone you don't know says you should spend your money, and they'll repay you later, you're taking a big risk. This blog about scammers who use people to transfer money and merchandise tells more.
If you buy iTunes cards and tell someone the code from the back, he takes control of the card immediately. He can use it or sell it. Once he takes control, you can't get your money back.
In reply to If someone you don't know by FTC Staff
In reply to I was scammed on May 10th by NetWorthDS
You can help law enforcement by reporting this to the FTC at FTC.gov/Complaint. The information you give will go into a secure database that law enforcement uses for investigations. You can tell where you found the ad for the loan, or how the scammer contacted you.
The comments you put here on the blog don’t go into the law enforcement database.
In reply to Please add a linked in icon by mary
In reply to Please add a linked in icon by mary
In reply to Please add a linked in icon by mary
In reply to I was called and offered a by Drhoney125
In reply to I was called and offered a by Drhoney125
In reply to Please add a linked in icon by mary
I received a call from a Chinese lady I'm sure with asian accent from 1 202-591-2180. She said I received a government grant of 9000 because i filed all my taxes and never filed for bankruptcy, in order to claim my grant that I need a confirmation code which is 2 letters and 3 numbers in order to receive my grant that "I never have to pay back" to call 646 475- 1606 a representative will pull up my file and tell me how to receive my funds in cash.
I asked her name she said Stefanie grey I ask the company she said u.s. government. I called a Chinese man directed Me to go to a rite Aid or cvs and call him back at the 646 number and he will direct me what card to buy to avoid taxes on my wire transfer from cvs or rite aid who if I use money transfer service like money gram or western union i will be charged a fee.
I kept asking what is the name of the card when I heard he spelled it out I as in ink T as in tom. It spelled out Itunes I was to load $250 onto the card then give him the code. The code will obviously be so he could receive the money and me lose my 250 bucks. I didn't fall for it! I'm posting this so no one does and be out there hard earned money.
There is no such thing as free money you don't have to pay back even if you win the lottery it is required by law taxes are paid on that. Don't fall for these scams I asked his name he said Jack Owens. Beware of these phone numbers. I Google Itunes scam hopefully this informstion saves someone.
In reply to I received a call from a by Golden Child
Thank you for sharing your story. Please report this to law enforcement at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.