Fraudulent Gift Card

[Anonymous]

on 12/11/19 I bought 2 gift cards for $100.00 each, we were told yesterday when my niece tried to use it that it had been used on 12/13/19.  We were told by the store that we had to call the # on the back of the card.  I have been on the phone all day, being told different stories by each person.... I was last told to file a police report, that its not your problem... You guys knew that criminals were scratching off the pin #s taking pictures of them and then waiting for them to be activated, then they use them, you knew this was happening but never took any action to keep your customers transactions safe, until your store as of the 27th removed all gift cards from the store and are keeping them behind the registers.  You knew this was a problem, but did nothing to keep my transaction safe. You have treated me like I am the criminal and you have made this experience much worse then it needed to me.  Your corporate greed has taken over your ability to provide any service or compassion for me the victim of this fraud.  I will NEVER do business with Sephora and I will make sure everyone I know is aware of my horrible experience with your company.

[imel021]

The same thing happened to me. I guess because they got a transaction out of it regardless, they don’t care.

[DaneeBT]

Hi @imel021,

I'm sorry to hear about this! I'll send you a PM.

Always,
Danee

[ScottyRoger652]

Some of these beauty insiders responses to other insiders on here are very very RUDE. When we have questions, answers should be handled by the company. A customer should never be shamed by fellow beauty insiders.

[1234030932u90w]

The same thing happened to me! My son bought me a 200.00 gift card for my birthday on line on 1/20/20. I tried to use it on 2/26/20 and was told the balance was -0- and to call the Federal Trade Commission. Really????? I've been at it for almost a week trying to get my money back but I've been told that nothing can be done? Is that right Sephora? NOTHING can be done? 

So warning to everyone reading, don't ever buy a gift card from Sephora either online or in person, they take absolutely no responsibility for why the balance was -0-. They just said it was used but don't know where, and what was bought. IF they can track VIB purchase and keep a running record of online purchases and shipments then why aren't they able to trace a gift card when I have both the card number and pin.

Any other suggestions on how to get my money back?

[makeupjunkie65]

This is a multi Billion dollar theft each year. Yes, Billions!! I see you only have time for small minded name calling but I was asking a reasonable question. Can you name one major retailer who will refund a stolen/hacked gift card??? It is the same thing as saying I lost a twenty dollar bill in a store and asking them to give me my twenty back. They don’t track gift cards and they are hacked by professional thieves who can not be traced. It is a risk everyone this day takes to buy online gift cards or even shop online.

[LaurieBT]

Hi @1234030932u90w,

I'm sorry for the trouble and I will take a look further. I will send you a private message shortly. Thank you!

Best regards,

Laurie

[makeupjunkie65]

Question for you. How do you propose Sephora to know this is a valid complaint as opposed to someone just using the gift card then saying they didn’t. There is no record of gift cards sold. It is the same as cash. So I could buy a gift card, spend in store, then call or go online and say it was stolen/ hacked and Sephora should refund my money??

[1234030932u90w]

I don't need to propose anything to a multi billion dollar international company how to protect my 3 kids who bought this Sephora gift card for  200.00 on line as birthday gift for me. And now that the 200.00 is gone there is absolutely NO recourse. They have been  tracking all my online orders, and they track my VIB points etc. How come they don't know how where or when the 200.00 gift card was spent by someone other than me???? 

So if you are asking to be a DB then you've succeeded, yay you! This company needs to protect its customers and when they take money for a gift card purchased on their website,  they need to track it. I've been a loyal customer of Sephora for 20 years and am absolutely shocked at the handling of this matter. So little troll, please hope this never happens to you or your kids though something tells me that someone who has time to question a total stranger has way too much time on their hands.