Anonymous
map-marker Appleton, Wisconsin

Terrible customer/website service DO NOT PURCHASE THESE CARDS

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This has to be the worst gift card you can ever purchase. The website does not allow you to register or see balance. Phone customer service is even worse if you actually get to talk to someone never ever again will I purchase Vanilla anything, there services simply put suck. From the minute you purchase the card you have charges on it that you didn't make. Walmart gift cards are superior to these and never had a problem. Do no buy these cards unless you want to deal with a headache every time you use it like being declined. Terrible Terrible service.
View full review
Cons:
  • Customer service
  • Rip off
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Brampton, Ontario

SCAM!

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I purchased the card for $200 on Feb 20 for my boyfriends birthday which is on Feb 24. I gave him the card after his birthday. He didnt use the card until MArch and when he tried to use the card at 2 different locations the card didnt work. When I called customer service to ask why the card isnt working, they told me that there was already $196 dollar purchase made on the card on Feb 23. I told them it doesnt make any sense, I didnt even give my boyfriend the card yet, it was in my apartment and how can it even be used?? the lady had no idea told me to email customer service to dispute and I have not gotten this issue resolved. I wish i did some research before purchasing the card, never realized that prepaid cards can be a scam.
View full review
Loss:
$200
Cons:
  • Scam
Reason of review:
Damaged or defective

Preferred solution: Full refund

1 comment
Guest

this card is absolutely terrible, i have attempted to make purchases on several sites, and have been declined every time i have attempted it. it does not pop up as a valid format for the sites, and will not go through as a transaction.

Anonymous
map-marker Saint Louis, Missouri

Vanilla Mastercard Gift Card Review

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Never order from this company. And dont order any of their cards through walmart. They will send one that doesnt work and neither places will resolve the issue or refund you. They will make you dispute it with your financial institution. Horrible customer service!
View full review
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Calgary, Alberta

Vanilla Mastercard Review

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Have been waiting 3months for my replacement cards. Constantly being told that they are in the mail, but they cannot disclose whether someone claimed my replacement cards. Wondering why anyone would be able to activate them without reference number
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Cons:
  • Never recieved my replacement cards in the mail
Reason of review:
Problem with delivery
Alanni Dne

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Trussville, Alabama

Vanilla master card, oh brother!

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Updated by user Mar 21, 2016

My vanilla mastercard 'gift' card didn't work most of the time. I went online and then

called to inquire and got duped into ordering a new card for $5.95!

It didn't work either!

Customer service at this company lied and said I wouldn't be charged this fee,

turns out, I wa...

Original review Mar 20, 2016
Tried to use this card several times, tried to charge my phone, buy gas, and it was declined saying that my "bank" didn't approve..it's a GIFT CARD!
My "bank" doesn't have ANYTHING to do with it!
Furthermore, while trying to find out why the card left me holding the bag several times, I went to the vanillamastercard page where I was duped into requesting a new card, only to find out AFTER doing so that a $5.95 deduction would be made.
My call to 1-80*-680-**** explaining that I did not need a new card and that I just wanted to know why my card was declined, several times, got an answer that the receptionists supervisor was "right here" and that the "$5.95" new card fee would not be charged..you guessed it, they DID bilk me anyway.
What a hassle of a "gift".
View full review
Loss:
$6
Pros:
  • Little
Cons:
  • Lies
Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised

Preferred solution: Full refund

Jomarie Qgi

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Winnipeg, Manitoba

Did some spring cleaning before activating, bad idea

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Bought it Feb 29th at a Shell, cashier didn't active properly. Didn't need to use it right away, but when i did get around to using it, the money is not there. Apparently i need a receipt, even though i threw it out. I have a bank statement the day of, that says i spent the money at the place of purchase and day of purchase, still to no avail. Only alternative is to get an electronic funds journal from the store itself. hopefully the cashier will try to help more then the call center did.
View full review
Loss:
$29
Cons:
  • Rip off
  • Length of time to resolve
  • Customer service
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

Anonymous
map-marker West Plains, Missouri

Vanilla Mastercard Fraud

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I purchased a Vanilla Mastercard for $100 only to find out when I got home to register it online that it already had a fraudulent charge on it the moment it got loaded with the cash. The charge was for FM INC. I called customer service and they informed me that several of their cards had been compromised due to an "inside job" and that they have seen this before. It will take 60 days to get my money back, if I ever do. I have heard others still fighting after 6 months. If you have the same issue with fraud charges from FM Inc, please post. Do not buy these cards!!! They have been compromised!
View full review
Loss:
$100
Cons:
  • Rip off
Reason of review:
Fraud

Preferred solution: Full refund

1 comment
Guest

That is so wierd i just purchased the cards i have one transaction on everycard with the same fm inc and they took it all. What should i do?

Anonymous
map-marker Toronto, Ontario

Mastercard Vanilla is a Scam?

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I've been trying to register my card to use it online for over two weeks, i called them the first 2 days i got hanged up but after several times that i tried to contact them i finaly talked with someone to tell them that i keep getting the registatrion error even thou i have my Security Insurance number and other personal information. They state that there is nothing they can do, its such a scam that they don't let you use the money online might as well burn $50 next time and i almost got the $100. What a joke.
View full review
Loss:
$50
Cons:
  • Registration process
  • Customer service
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Depue, Illinois

Vanilla Mastercard - Gift Card Review from Depue, Illinois

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Sucks sucks sucks. All I got to say is do not buy these cards!!!!! They don't let you activate these *** online, God knows I tried and all it says is that my info doesn't match when I never even had any info on that *** card I was barely trying to register it and then after trying so much it tells me my card is inactive and you basically loose all the money you pay for the *** thing. Bogus as ***
View full review
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Schaumburg, Illinois

Vanilla Mastercard Review

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YES, I was in the hospital, when fraudulent charges were made on my card. I used it once at a gas station. Sent them proof, and they refuse to replace. They are crooks using Mastercard Logo
View full review
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Pleasant Valley, Missouri

Vanilla Mastercard Gift Card Review

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I would not recomend this *** to anyone.....do not get its a scam any gift card is *** and steals ur money legally ... Mastercard are 3 world help and no results when they steal ur money and call for help keep it dont exspect me to buy nothing from this company or advise anyone i knw
View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
Anonymous
map-marker El Paso, Texas

Vanilla Mastercard Gift Card Review

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It says i had a transaction with the comenity capital bank when i never did anything like that so now i lost $30. I dont know what happenes
View full review
Reason of review:
Problems with payment
Resolved
Madisen Leu
map-marker Ryley, Alberta

Resolved: Vanilla Mastercard - Gift Card Review from Ryley, Alberta

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I'm so upset. Tried to use my brand new Vanilla prepaid MasterCard today.

The declined it. Impossible, I thought. I called and they show a bunch of purchases from Georgia (coincidentally where the office is that I have to send my dispute form) as well as Georgia and Connecticut. By the way, I am in Alberta, CANADA.

I now have to fill out a form, send it to USA and wait up to 60 days to see IF I get my money back. What a scam. This was a gift from my sister.

SOMETHING is clearly crooked with this system.

Cindy

View full review
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
13 comments
Madisen Leu

I'll have a look - thanks noVA

Guest

Cant use our Visa gift Cards today either.....cant call, it hangs up on you. No way to look online, comes up an error. AND NO PENALTY FOR THIS???

Madisen Leu
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1084804

Wow, seriously? That's brutal

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1084804

I bought both my parents these gift cards for Christmas. .My mom went to use hers today and it wont work..Same thing..Cant call, it hangs up..Online error comes up also.Mine were purchased at a Rite Aide in Ohio....now what?

Madisen Leu
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1085148

Was that a visa or MasterCard? I wasn't aware there was an issue with visa until I saw the comments here.

It makes me so mad that people can get away with this. I'm hoping the news story running here in Edmonton today will help bring this into the open. It's complete ***. I called one of the businesses that showed up on the charges and it was a doctors office in Connetticut.

She said they have had a different issue the last few weeks of charges going in and out of her business account even when they aren't even open! The credit card companies seem to not even think it's s big deal! And it's seems to be s ton of small charges - almost like they are testing to see if it's active or not. And there are a few Equifax charges on mine.

Almost like they are pulling credit bureau info - to secure credit fraudulently?

I just don't know what to make of it. But it's definitely a very large, organized group doing it all.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Madisen Leu

From NoVA:

I tried to respond but it says it needs moderator approval. Search " FlyerTalk Gift Card Fraid" and you will find a forum dedicated to discussin the issues with debit gift cards.

It is likely not an inside job because it is very possible to guess the GC numbers by either buying a few. Sometimes they take the cards out of the store, get the #s, then reseal them and take them back.

Of course it's pretty noticeable when they are revealed because the glue doesn't adhere to the card/packaging correctly.

Guest

Hi Cindy. My name is Sarah Kraus and I am a reporter at Global Edmonton.

The same thing happened to me and we are doing a story on it.

Can you please call me? 587-525-****.

Thank you,

Sarah

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1084752

From NoVA: this is not uncommon. If you get prepaid cards visa/mc it is best to treat them like cash and use as quickly as possible.

It is important to make sure the packaging hasn't been tampered with along with store shelves not being rampaged through. Since most of these cards are produced in batches and shipped in groups it is very possible to open a few, but a few and get a pattern for the card numbers. Then keen trying small transactions until one is activated and then unload it.

If the prepaid company isn't responsive then another avenue is to file with CFPB (consumer financial protection bureau). I literally buy hundreds of these a year.

They usually post the money back within a week so hopefully that's some comfort, but it can take 30-60 days. It is a real pain in the *** (PITA) since they don't seem to staff real customer service.

Madisen Leu
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1085168

In the cases of ours.....the packaging wasn't tampered with at all. It was perfect.

No signs on the inside either. The reporter, on the other hand, had actual numbers scratched off.

So they recorded the numbers, scratched parts off and then packaged. The issue seems to be originating from the workers doing the actual production of the cards before they even get to consumers.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Madisen Leu

From NoVA:

It's more likely to be fraudsters outside of the manufacturing. It's possible to guess the last four digits of gift cards.

With computers it's not hard to continuously try and make small $1-2 purchases until one goes through.

Sometimes the packages are tampered with like in the case of the reporter and other times one can just buy 3-4 GCs and figure out the pattern.

See this thread for more information. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/158****-gift-card-fraud.html

View more comments (12)
Anonymous
map-marker Winnipeg, Manitoba

Activation not working

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Paid for $200.00 card, store activated card and I have the activation #... called the vanilla phone #... had to submit pictures of card, packaging, store receipt... card activated Dec 24 in the AM.... I called on the 26th.... its now the 27th, still no response and card still not working.... they have my $ 200.00 and now I am fighting to get it on the card I purchased...

BUYER BEWARE : I WOULD NOT PURCHASE VANILLA MASTERCARD PRE-PAID MASTERCARD --- VERY BAD, BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE.... ITS BEEN 3 DAYS SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CARD AND STILL NO WORD..

AVOIS USING OR PURCHASING THE VANILLA PRE-PAID MASTERCARD... HORRIBLE SERVICE !!!

View full review
Loss:
$200
Cons:
  • Customer service
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: i want my 200.00 credit on the card that I paid for already (interac) and a FREE GIFT CARD for the aggrivation

8 comments
Guest

Keep calling them every hour like I do.

Guest

Same thing happened to me, from a 7-11 store on portage ave. Day 5 of phone calls to vanilla MasterCard, coming up. I have a phone # for the day supervisor on my call display.

Guest

Sarah, I purchased two cards today to pay a bill, from Shoppers Drug Mart. When I got back to work and took the cards from their sealed packages, the numbers were scratched off.

I called Shoppers right away and brought the cards back. They said Vanilla Mastercards problem. Vanilla Mastercard says well we can look into it, may take 30 to 60 days or longer. Five phone calls, and no where, spoke to the superviser and nothing.

I feel robbed by a trusted company.

They have my money, I have nothing and a bill not paid. ....:(

Guest

I just purchased a card 2 cards today and they do not work, I feel robbed by them, and feel like I will never get my $400.00 back.

Guest

From NoVA: Go to the store you purchased it and they can reconcile their books. It could be that the store is $200 over by accepting a payment that didn't go through.

Obviously this depends on if you paid cash, debit or credit for the prepaid card.

The prepaid company will help but don't rule out the store you purchased it from. The store should have offsetting debit/credits on their books and sometimes they can reissue a gift card when their is an initial load error.

Unfortunately this happens from time to time.

Guest

Hi there, my name is Sarah Kraus and I am a Global News reporter. The same thing happened to me and we are doing a story on this.

Can you please call me? 587-525-****.

Thank you,

Sarah

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1084760

Sarah, I bought a $200 card here in Winnipeg. Still waiting for the "compliance department" to review all the documents I sent TWICE. One of the supervisors actually called me back, so I have her personal phone # on my call display.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1084760

The same thing happened to me. I bought a $100 card from a Shopper's Drug Mart in Saskatoon.

The numbers, expiry date, and the 3 digit number, on the back, had been scratched off. Called the number on the back and you cannot talk to a human.

It keeps asking of the 16 digit number. Pretty hard to enter when the numbers had been scratched off

View more comments (7)
Anonymous
map-marker Lawrenceville, Georgia

Vanilla Mastercard Review

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I ordered this card for a Christmas present from Walmart and the recipient has yet to be able to activate/use etc. I have never had a problem with the Visa one. So embarrassed and had no clue that they are so shady! BBB and FTC should shut them down! So angry!!!! DO NOT BUY IT!!!!
View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality