SEPHORA GIFT CARD SCAM!!!

[ohevonne]

SEPHORA BEAUTY INSIDERS AND BEYOND, BEWARE!!! There is a scam going on with Sephora gift cards and their customer service does NOTHING to prevent or rectify it!!! I received a gift card back in October as a birthday gift with $50 on it. I have been waiting to use it and finally found some items on my app that I wanted to purchase. When I went to use the gift card online, it showed $0 balance! I called customer service who told me it was purchased Oct. 9th (my birthday) and used Oct. 12th. But how could that be when I had just opened it? The representative said it was used and that it should be treated like cash, so they cannot do anything. But if it was cash, I would still have it in my wallet, as I did this card! I didn’t lose it or misplace it or give it away and now suddenly want the balance again. My gift cards information was clearly STOLEN and used before I even opened it!!! This is ridiculous and the representative hung up on me when I asked to speak to another member. They were dismissive and couldn’t care less. I called again and a man helped me, he was a bit more understanding. I told him I wanted the scammers transaction history so I could investigate myself and he transferred me to another woman. She then told me to have whoever gifted the card to dispute the purchase with their bank. I said so Sephora won’t do anything? And she said no. I told her again that I wanted gift card transaction history and she said she would transfer me to someone else and then hung up on me. I was on hold for a combined time of almost an hour before talking to anybody and didn’t get anywhere. Sephora, TAKE BETTER CARE OF YOUR CUSTOMERS!!! This is unbelievable coming from an establishment that claims to be such a great place. Disappointing and unacceptable. I will empty my cart and make my purchases elsewhere until they get their stuff together!!!! 

[dcaralee]

Just in case anyone stumbles on this post as I did: You have to treat gift cards like cash and those terms are agreed upon when funds are loaded onto it. They have no idea if you used it or not. You said you didn't, but how could they prove that? This simply isnt a Sephora problem. Especially during the holidays, scammers can scan cards and get the numbers. Then use the funds after you load money to it. It was happening to Amazon cards and now they have them safeguarded so the barcode is covered with a perforated strip you remove upon purchasing . You even need to be careful on how you check your balance. Even a slight misspelled word in a URL can take you to a site that will look identical to the intended site, but take the information you entered from the card and use the funds. Its unfortunate and people/scammers suck. But there isn't anything Sephora can do. Could you imagine how many people would say what you are to get the credits back on the gift cards? I pull cards from way back on the rack, buy them online and print or email. I've purchased cards that have been skimmed. It sucks. 

[MichaelaJones]

The customer service department can’t just give you $50. You and other people can’t be mad that you didn’t use it in time. It probably expired. Don’t take it out on them 

Be nicer next time! You need to get your stuff together, not Sephora. 

Ughhhhh! People these days! 😑 

[dcaralee]

It didnt expire, thats almost guaranteed unless it sat unused for 5+ years. Federal and State laws mandate if or when gift cards can expire. In my state, they cannot have fees for dormancy or expire. But yes, they can't just hand out $50 otherwise everyone would be doing this. 

[MichaelaJones]

Also, I’ve got many gift cards from Sephora and have had no problems 

I think we can all agree this is no one’s fault but yours 

[kensienotkenzie]

omggg you are so right!!!! i was at sephora days ago and this happened to guy checking out infront of me!! wow

[lfawzi]

I purchased a Sephora gift card for my sister in law but when she went to Sephora her balance was zero.

[keelybt]

@lfawzi I'm not able to reply to your PM, as they are not enabled on your side. You can adjust your account settings (the gear icon) on a desktop or mobile web browser.
 

[keelybt]

@lfawzi I'm sorry to hear that!  It looks like your private messages are currently turned off. Please send me a private message with your gift card number or you can contact us by phone at 1-877-737-4672 or through our live chat for assistance> https://www.sephora.com/beauty/customer-service

[EvvyP24]

WoW!  How sad today's world is!  Whatever happened to giving great customer service and trying to help the customers.

Instead, we consumers get treated without great customer service and respect.  One thing that so annoying is getting the run-around and having to tell your complaint to not 1 but several different transfers.  

I will be sure not to ever give a gift card from Sephora after reading this post.

Thanks for your input/info to beware of the situation with gift cards from SEPHORA.