Consumers hit Google, Chipotle, others with class actions over gift cards

Gift card class action lawsuits overview: 

• Who: Consumers recently filed class action lawsuits against Google, Chipotle, Shell and Tremendous. 
• Why: The class action lawsuits involve gift cards. 
• Where: The complaints were filed in U.S. federal courts. 

Consumers recently filed class action lawsuits involving gift card-related claims against Google, Chipotle, Shell and Tremendous. 

The class action lawsuits involve claims of failing to reimburse victims of gift card fraud, failing to refund purchases made using gift cards, misrepresenting gift card values and not charging a gift card in a way that makes it equivalent to cash.

Google profits off scams involving Play Store gift cards, class action claims

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Google earlier this month over claims it profits from scams involving its Google Play Store gift cards and fails to reimburse victims despite allegedly being capable of doing so. 

The class action lawsuit claims Google made millions of dollars from consumers victimized by Google gift card scams and chooses not to reimburse victims despite receiving information that would allow it to identify and return stolen funds. 

“Google plays a direct and vital role in the gift card scams by allowing gift cards which it knows were involved in fraud to be redeemed and spent on digital currency and/or digital products which scammers can resell for currency,” the Google class action states. 

Class action says Chipotle fails to refund purchases made with gift cards

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Chipotle Mexican Grill in February over claims the company fails to refund purchases made with gift cards in an alleged violation of several deceptive trade laws. 

The class action lawsuit claims Chipotle fails to provide refunds for gift card purchases and only offers meal vouchers with limitations. 

“Chipotle’s policy of and practice of refusing to refund gift card purchases is not advertised or otherwise conveyed to customers in the course of purchasing gift cards,” the Chipotle class action states. 

Digital payment platform Tremendous misrepresents gift card value, class action claims

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Tremendous LLC in January over claims the digital payment and rewards platform misrepresents the value of its gift cards. 

The class action lawsuit claims Tremendous says its gift cards are the equivalent of cash when, in reality, they can’t be used at the majority of brick-and-mortar stores and are set up so small balances can’t be used. 

“Reasonable cardholders would expect to be able to spend the full value stated on the card, either online or at brick-and-mortar stores,” the class action states. 

It also argues Tremendous retains any unused balance on the gift cards via so-called dormancy fees. 

Shell charges credit card price for gas purchases made with gift cards, class action says

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Shell Oil Products in January over claims the company charges the credit card price rather than the cash price to customers who use a Shell gift card when purchasing gasoline at its gas stations. 

The class action lawsuit claims Shell is required by California law to accept payment for its gift cards in such a way that would be equivalent for their cash value. 

“Despite selling a gift card that, by law, is the equivalent of cash, Shell fails to honor the cash rate when using the Shell gift card to purchase gasoline,” the Shell class action states. 

Apple settles claims it was complicit in scams involving iTunes gift cards

Apple agreed to a class action settlement in January to end claims the company was complicit in scams involving iTunes gift cards, with the company and consumers asking at that time for an additional 60 days to create and sign a long-form settlement agreement. 

The settlement ends a July 2020 class action lawsuit a group of consumers filed against Apple claiming the company knowingly enabled scammers who tricked victims into paying large sums of money using iTunes gift cards.

Have you been victimized by a gift card scam? Let us know in the comments.

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