I purchased a Vanilla Mastercard and loaded $500 on it at Walmart. Less than an hour later I checked to make sure it was loaded before giving it as a gift. It had .59 cents remaining of the $500. I had not given it to anyone nor used it myself. Apparently, the numbers on the card were read with some kind of electronic reader either before my purchase or on my way out of the store. The card was emptied before an hour past its time purchase. I called Mastercard got all the payment amounts and electronic charges online, then filled out the paperwork and faxed that in. The phone call to Mastercard did take the theft complaint, give me a case number and give me the charges made in Paypal. It was loaded into someone's Paypal account then used to make purchases until depleted. On the phone Mastercard reported the charges were stopped as I reported it so quickly. After doing their paperwork and faxing that in and WAITING for refund. I called in to learn they have 90 days to "investigate" while holding onto my $500. This theft happened on 11/25/2020 I am writing this on 2/23/2021 and having just called to check into my case. I'm still waiting for refund. I was told they still have until 3/15/21 to finish their investigation. After a few more questions I was informed that the charges went through on this card. I protested that was not true that I caught the theft within an hour or so of purchase and was informed the purchases were "allowed". It's bad enough to have $500 withheld, now with the "allowance" of fraudulent purchases, I strongly suspect my money will not be refunded. INSULT TO INJURY! These cards do not operate by the same laws that Credit Cards must operate under. I will NEVER BUY another gift card and STRONGLY URGE that no one else buy one either. They need to be put out of business as these cards encourage theft and fraud. Even when caught in time to stop the theft, Mastercard allowed it to happen.
User's recommendation: DO NOT BUY NOR USE MASTERCARD VANILLA ONE CARDS!
No one should ever buy these cards. They are being electronically scanned and the card information stolen while still in the store.
Once the card has been purchased it is promptly drained. My first experience the card was emptied less than 3 hours after purchase. The second instance I watched carefully to make sure no one was around when I made my selection, when I checked out no one else was in line and no one came close leaving the store. The card was emptied the day after purchase.
Walmart claims ignorance, but they do not protect these cards. Neither card had been opened or tampered with in any way. In one case the card was used online using Paypal to make purchases. The other card had an in person charge at Nordstrom's, store 535 and two purchases at Macy's.com totally draining the second card.
The Nordstrom's store number turned out to be in Burlington, Ma. On the first card, the online charges were accidently discovered quickly and Mastercard or their contractor reported the charges were still pending and stopped. Unfortunately, they allowed further charges the following day instead of freezing the account or cancelling the card. Then they take 90 days to "investigate".
Sending me a check for $101.70 even though I stopped all charges and their error allowed more. The 3 month to investigate does not help. Walmart destroys surveillance videos, before the investigation is complete, again of no assistance. Store managers will not even speak with the customer defrauded.
A floor supervisor suggested I file a Police Report. I completed the Police Report today and will drop it off at the Police Department tomorrow. I have just received the 101.70 by mail and will promptly deposit the check tomorrow. There is a considerable balance as both cards had been loaded with $500 each.
This has been a nightmare of incompetence from the beginning. Walmart is complicit in this theft by not securing this particular type of card under lock & key leaving on display for easy scanning. Scanners pick up card number, exp. date and the 3 digit # on the back.
Thieves can use the numbers online or make a duplicate card from blanks for use in a store. The Vanilla One Mastercards should ONLY be packaged in RDF proof packaging. This card states they do not have to follow the same rule of law because they are "gift" cards although looks like a credit card to consumers with account number, exp date, Mastercard Logo and 3 digit # on the back by the signature block.
PLEASE DO NOT BUY OR ACCEPT THESE CARDS. RISK OF FRAUD IS TOO GREAT.