Gift Card Scam

[Daniel721]

Just want to let everyone know that I purchased 3 gift cards from Ralphs grocery store for Sephora and when the people we gave them to went to use them there was a zero balance on them.  Coincidentally my daughters received gift cards for Christmas and they also had a zero balance.  The customer support was less than helpful and told us to go back to the person we got them from and ask for the receipt.  Pretty embarrassing all the way around and Sephora should be taking action to ensure this doesn't happen.  Obviously someone is taking the money on this one and please sign me up for the lawsuit when it comes.  Whatever you do, don't buy a gift card for anyone from Sephora!!!

[zeegisbreathing]

I just had this happen when buying a gift card for my girlfriends daughter. She was so excited to visit the store and spend her gift card only to be disappointed and my girlfriend put in a tough place when the card balance came up with $0. If you can't offer a product (gift card) that is secure this product should not be offered. 

I've called Krogers (Ralphs parent company) support at (1-800-576-4377). I was very firm and polite with them and asked them to make it right. After some conversation they gave me a case # and then told me I'd need to contact Sephora. I politely asked to save me the time and expedite my case to the next step. They obliged, at which point they asked for my e-mail so that I could send them back a photo of the card itself. They also asked for a 'Activation slip you received at the time of purchase'. I do not have this and it was never made clear during the transaction that the receipt contained important information. I've responded with photos of the gift card and a screen capture of my Ralphs purchase from my online banking. 

They said it would take them 7-10 business days to investigate. I'm not as optimistic as I'd like to be but I was glad to have pushed through this painful process. 

***I'd advise anyone purchasing a gift card to think twice...and if you proceed to certainly KEEP THE RECEIPT until the money is spent. I can't help but feel for the, no doubt, thousands of customers who have lost money this way and for all those who were gifted only to be disappointed.

No matter the outcome allow this post to be a voice against this system, the exhausting phone calls, the bulls**t scam artists, and a plea to big business to stop taking advantage of your customers by offering cards that are so easily scammed.

[MindfulStamper]

This happened to me as well. Also from Ralphs, fountain valley CA. Where was yours?

[DaneeBT]

Hi @Daniel721 I'm so sorry to hear about this. I'm sending you a PM.