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Customers are purchasing Apple iTunes gift cards that have been tampered with at Target stores across the nation, according to a class action lawsuit filed in Minnesota federal court Wednesday.
More than a dozen consumers filed the nationwide class action as lead plaintiffs. They claim that the retailer knowingly sells Apple iTunes gift cards that can be used by scammers to access money customers put on the cards.
Security tape is removed by scammers, says the complaint, allowing them to record each card’s activation code. Once the Target customer who purchased the gift card loads it with funds, the scammer can then drain the account, claim the plaintiffs.
Each of the plaintiffs say that they purchased an Apple iTunes gift card from Target that had been tampered with by scammers. They say they lost the money they put on the card to the thieves. In addition, some say that they gave the cards to friends and family members and suffered embarrassment and distress when the recipient discovered there were no funds on the card.
“Consumers have lost millions of dollars that they loaded onto the Gift Cards because Target failed to take adequate and reasonable measures to ensure that scammers did not tamper with the Gift Cards and failed to disclose to its customers the material fact that it was possible that the Gift Cards had been tampered with,” claims the lawsuit.
Target’s failure to implement security measures to stop scammers from tampering with the Apple iTunes gift cards, as well as continuing to sell them to customers, unjustly enriches the popular big box chain, claims the class action lawsuit. The plaintiffs accuse Target of violating various state consumer protection laws, breach of warranty, and negligence.
“The problem with the Gift Cards is rampant and widespread and Target is well-aware of the problem, yet Target continues to sell insecure Gift Cards,” claims the complaint.
The plaintiffs are seeking to represent Target customers nationwide who purchased Apple iTunes gift cards that were tampered with by scammers. The class action lawsuit is asking for damages on behalf of those Class Members, along with penalties, fines, and attorney fees.
Have you purchased an Apple iTunes gift card from Target? Did scammers get the money you put on the card? We want to hear from you! Tell us about your experience in the comment section below.
The lead plaintiffs are represented by David M. Cialkowski and Ian McFarland of Zimmerman Reed LLP, E. Powell Miller, Sharon S. Almonrode, and Dennis A. Lienhardt of The Miller Law Firm, PC, Donald Brown, and Craig R. Heidemann of Douglas, Haun & Heidmann PC, and Bilal A. Essayli, and D. Andrew Brown of Essayli & Brown LLP.
The Target Apple iTunes Gift Card Class Action Lawsuit is Chen, et al. v. Target Corporation, Case No. 0:21-cv-01247 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.
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168 thoughts onTarget Sells Scam Apple iTunes Gift Cards, Alleges Class Action Lawsuit
Hello! I had this happen to le with two apple gift cards each worth $200. I tried redeeming it right after purchase. I called Apple and target while standing in customer service. Target said they were not to blame Apple so they were not to blame. I emailed both Tim Cook and the safety team at target eventually Apple send me $200. It was not without a fight.
Add me.
I bought yesterday 8 apple gift cards worth 400$ each 50$ and had similar issue . Target customer service asked me to upload all photos of cards and receipts and after 24 hours they informed me that activation went through successfully and they asked me to contact apple – and then Saga continues . Add me to the class action. Hoping we get target to settle this for money spent in gift cards and also the trauma that we go through by spending so many hours on phone. Should stop shopping at Target from now on
Today February 8th 2023, I bought 4 $50 Apple gc at my local target and has the same experience. Right after purchased, i tried to redeem them to my Apple account (3 out of 4 i did it – open the envelope and redeem- in front of target customer service) and all 4 are invalid. Target refuse to take any responsibility and tell me to contact Apple despite its their fault that the card is compromised. The card inside does not match the serial number of the envelope that I loaded money. Contacted Apple and they refuse to help because they said it is Target’s fault. 4 hours of wasted time and frustration and yet i’m out $200 through no fault of my own. Also missed a time window to make some in-app purchases. Add me to this lawsuit.
Hello – I bought a 100.00 apple gift card from a Target store in Bloomfield, Michigan and when I went to redeem the gift card, it had no money on it. After talking with the apple representative, they informed me the funds were depleted.
I purchased an Apple gift card in the amount of $50 from Target. My 11 year old attempts to use and was told. It had already been redeemed. In August I asked how If , I just purchased it 2 weeks before Christmas in Columbus, Ohio. After further research and numerous hours on the phone I was told the card was purchased in Canada used in October. Target was well aware of the situation and offered no real resolution. I asked them what they planned on doing to make this right. The reply was to cancel the card. I then asked how does this resolve issue for me? Long story short no resolution no refund and l clearly no apologies. Another customer came in as he had purchased $500 in apple gift cards. Same thing no resolutions.
I bought 4 visa gift cards, 2 for $100 each and 2 for $50 each from Target. All were a zero balance when we tried to use them. I Waited on the phone for 4 hours and the minute the company in charge of the card answered they hung up on me. I was able to get into a phone program that told me how much was spent before I spent the card. Basically the card was emptied the minute I bought it. Today the target employee told me that 10 people came in today with the same story. Target knows what is going on with the scam but does nothing for security of the merchandise. Basically, they are allowing the scam against their customers and do not warn or return the money. I want to join a class action law suit.
The problem is not just Apple gift card. Target own gift has also been compromised. Someone was able to counterfeit the security sticker on their card and it looks the same as any other card you will find in the store.
Ever since Christmas 3 years ago I’ve bought and been scammed from about 1,000 dollars of cards only once was I ever reimbursed the rest target just didn’t. They know what’s going on even worse they choose to do nothing and continue putting cards up for people to get scammed on please add me to this class action suit
I purchased 800 dollars apple gift cards in target store on 11.20.2022. And none of them are valid and store refused to refund me. Please add me to the lawsuit to target. Thank you very much