Got Scammed and lost $1500 on Gumtree -_-"

LRNDM on 06/01/2020 - 22:09
Last edited 15/01/2020 - 11:35 by 1 other user

I thought I was being careful, but sadly not careful enough to account for the failures in lose implementation of JB Hifi's gift card policies.

  1. Had 3 x $500 gift cards from JB Hifi, from the promo in Dec last year
  2. Listed it here for a couple of weeks, no takers.
  3. So then I listed it on Gumtree.
  4. "James" contacts me, from ACT.
  5. Asks me "Do you have proof of balance picture? or receipts?"
  6. Not knowing any better, and assuming that a hidden "PIN" code is required to actually redeem these cards.
  7. I provided the card numbers, to allow him to check the balance on the cards.
    …
  8. James says he'll pay at the end of the day.
  9. I get messaged here on Ozbargain, snowymatthew, so I decide to allow them to pay instead.
  10. I receive payment, via PayId.
  11. I send copies of the unscratched cards, and then again with the card numbers and PIN codes revealed.
  12. Following day, snowymatthew tells me there's issues with the card.
  13. Since the PIN codes are all revealed now, I confirm the balance on the cards.
  14. Discover they've been redeemed in ACT.
  15. Blah blah … I'm %^&*
  16. Returned the money back to snowymatthew.

…

So, it looks like James has been able to convince someone at JB HiFi to redeem the cards, with the PIN codes, and without the physical cards. I checked the terms and conditions: https://www.jbhifi.com.au/pages/how-do-i-use-a-gift-card-to-…. "Redeeming in-store at JB Hi-Fi … The actual gift card MUST be presented.". From responses from various stores, staff are not "meant to" accept anything by the physical cards … there lies the issue.

The presence of the PIN code in this instance gives a false sense of security.

Even retracing all the steps taken, I don't think I could have foreseen this - other than "don't use Gumtree". So, I guess this is a warning to others, that the card numbers only are enough to redeem a gift card. Meaning there's no real way for a buyer to validate available credit, or for sellers to have any form of security over the gift cards. This to me, is easier than counterfeiting money and JB accepting it, at another customer's expense.

Expensive lesson, and usually careful with these things. But, aw well, not expecting such a positive outcome. If anything, it just ruined my day.

…

Since then;

  1. Left my details with the store to follow up
  2. Filed a report with ACSC
  3. Emailed JB Hifi, asking how and why cards can be redeemed by the card number only, without the physical card which is contrary to their terms.
  4. Contacted Gumtree seeking assistance.
  5. I asked James to pay, as agreed and I would cease the police report.

…

So yeah, great first day back at work. -_-" And now have to deal with the missus.

And not that it means much, but this is the lovely guy that benefited from this all. https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-seller/1170622367193

I really didn't like the idea of having $1.5K in gift cards lying around, just didn't feel secure. And it really had to happen.

Update: So, it would seem kinda useless at this point. But because of the way that I shared the photo with James, it shows an account of his.

(Mod: removed personal information - please see commenting guideline)

Key updates:
* By RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 14:35
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/8208345/redir
* By snowymatthew on 08/01/2020 - 16:47
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/8213127/redir
* By RNDM on 14/01/2020 - 13:30
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/8235494/redir
* By RNDM latest
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/8239312/redir

General Discussion

Related Stores

Gumtree
Gumtree
JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi

Comments

    • Levathian on 07/01/2020 - 10:23

      Snowy is an 11 year old account too

  • causeimbatman on 07/01/2020 - 09:44

    My mrs also got scammed in a similar way.

    David Jones giftcards though - $1000.

    She shared a photo of serial number only.

    DJ systems lets the scammer use the serials to make purchases.

    • kerfuffle on 07/01/2020 - 16:35
      +1

      Only in store. You need the PIN for online purchases

    • GourmetFoodie on 07/01/2020 - 22:52

      How on earth did the store allow that to go through?!

  • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 09:52
    +1

    Jbhifi online have responded to my email, so we’ll see if they can provide any further information.

  • solidussnake on 07/01/2020 - 10:02
    +1

    Contact the police first,
    Contact JB headoffice they will be able to track the purchase to that store and get the date/time of purchase,
    They will be able to go through their cameras and get footage of the scum/car used (depending on if in shopping center or external store) and provide back to police

    • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 10:15

      Contacted everyone that I can do far.

  • jimdotpud on 07/01/2020 - 10:08
    +1

    I'll bet "James" is a JB hifi employee… look at all the new stuff he's sold on gumtree, possibly knicked it all from work i'd say or scammed other JBhifi cards.
    nearest JBs to Gunghalin are belconnen and canberra city.. i'd hit those up with a phone call to the store manager and ask to investigate how and when the cards were redeemed.
    don't wait for email reply, call the stores…

    • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 10:16

      Did call yesterday. Giving them time to look into it.

  • pegaxs on 07/01/2020 - 10:10
    +1

    James and snowymatthew are the same person, or working together.

    This is why I never sell gift cards or game cards over Gumtree without cash in my hand and hnading over the cards to the person at point of sale. I just know that the very next response from them is "It didn't work and I want my money back"

  • Levathian on 07/01/2020 - 10:21

    This is weird. I bought a computer last year at jbhifi, and used 3 full and one part $500 gift card to pay for it. I absolutely had to put in the pin at the register. For every card. So I wonder how they were able to use it.

  • Fredfloresjr on 07/01/2020 - 10:21

    I would be very concern with this guy snowymatthew. Appears well staged with his post in here.

  • Bren20 on 07/01/2020 - 10:30
    +9

    I love these snowymatthew conspiracy theories! No scammer is going to send through $1500 on the hope of the seller returning it.

    • Danstar on 07/01/2020 - 10:38
      +4

      Why not? The risk is almost 0 is you’ll either get your money back or still have the value of the gift cards to spend.

      The best scenario is you don’t look guilty

      • Bren20 on 09/01/2020 - 00:36

        Why not?

        because cash is more valuable than JB gift cards

  • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 10:36

    JB hifi online:

    “
    Thank you for confirming, I'm afraid if they were issued in store you will need to contact the store for further assistance.
    ”

    …

    • pyramid on 07/01/2020 - 10:48

      Did you ring couple of store that some user suggested few comments up?

  • Herbse on 07/01/2020 - 10:55
    +1

    Hard lesson, but at least it was money given to you by promotions and not your own cash. Still hurts though.

    I usually send a screenshot of the balance to buyers. Also never accept PayPal for these sorts of things. Or if you must, send a registered letter with the cards in them so the tracking info shows as delivered and then you can send the email with the card info.

    All the best

  • solidussnake on 07/01/2020 - 10:59
    +1

    Have you actually thought that snowy has used the number and pin you provided him then messaged saying it's already been used….

  • milkyway91 on 07/01/2020 - 11:00
    +2

    If I’m going to add my theory it would be that

    1. The gumtree buyer didn’t do anything with the gift cards and snowymatthew used the gift cards after the PIN was revealed.

    2. She tried using them instore but they wouldn’t let her so she used them online.

    3. Snowy claimed the gift cards didn’t work on the off chance she could get her money back. And she was just lucky that there was another buyer to take the blame.

  • redone555 on 07/01/2020 - 11:15
    +1

    So if the assumption is that these cards were used in-person, surely there would be surveillance camera footage in-store, and given there's a transaction time they could easily work out which part of the footage to check?

    • solidussnake on 07/01/2020 - 11:20

      Correct and they also id check

  • netsurfer on 07/01/2020 - 11:19

    Card being redeemable without pin number. Honestly, that is not a surprise. I've got JB Hi Fi digital vouchers before, just a bar code with the number. The store staff just scan them. It's similar for EB gift cards, you don't need the pin when using it store. You need to treat gift cards as cash.

    Unfortunately, you generally don't realise there are so many dodgy buyers out there until you actually encountered one. Try to get the police involved. Hope you get your money back.

    Gift cards are very high risk to sell, especially online. You were too desperate and someone took advantage of you.

  • wekimekigugudan on 07/01/2020 - 11:22
    +9

    Happened before
    https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/9p8ppn09

    • capslock janitor on 07/01/2020 - 15:24

      deja vu

    • Ghost47 on 09/01/2020 - 13:56
      -2

      Bit late to the party but that could very well mean snowymatthew contacted JB and advised the serial number and used the excuse that when he scratched the part covering the PIN the PIN came off too… Although that doesn't make sense if the cards were redeemed at an ACT store, unless he got the exact same card re-issued somehow but with a new PIN?

      Haven't read this entire thread so I will have to see what happens next! I'm really not surprised that the PINs can scratch off with the cards…

  • hikki on 07/01/2020 - 11:36
    +10

    Hi, just to add my story re gift cards .
    I recently used a $500 jb Hi-Fi gift card to buy an iPhone. This gift card came from the Telstra jbhifi $65 plan offer. This was 1.5 week ago.

    I received the physical gift card upon successful sign up, $500 was loaded in and the pin was not scratched to reveal.
    I then went to the counter to buy the iPhone, the lady at the counter just scanned the gift card at the back and did not need the pin!
    I was pretty surprised at the time but didn’t care much at the time since I got the phone.

    • Munki on 07/01/2020 - 16:38

      The barcode has the pin embedded, but OP stated that no barcode was sent to James.

  • Phreakuency on 07/01/2020 - 11:39

    OP you're rightly angry but you need to remove the email address of that guy James.

    For all you know, the ozbargainer scammed you, despite how bad the gumtree sales history looks.

    • rt1111 on 07/01/2020 - 12:02
      +5

      James is that you?

      • netsurfer on 07/01/2020 - 12:10

        Nah, he is from Brisbane, allegedly…

  • trapper on 07/01/2020 - 11:51
    +1

    It seems very suspicious that a person can rock up to JB Hifi and redeem $1500 worth of gift cards that he doesn't have with him, and that he doesn't know the pin numbers for.

    • netsurfer on 07/01/2020 - 12:09
      +1

      When I use mine in store, the staff just scan or swipe the gift cards, didn't need to enter the pin. I was not surprised because EB game stores are like that all the time. It's different to Woolies or Coles where those cards are more heavily integrated to their payment systems so a pin number must be entered.

    • emblurr on 07/01/2020 - 12:10
      +2

      Yeah it is, even says on the website that the card has to be swiped and it MUST be presented. Someone is definitely telling porkies and there is possibly a major defect in the Gift card redeem process.

      Redeeming in-store at JB Hi-Fi

      You must have your gift card with you to purchase at the cashier. JB Hi-Fi staff will swipe your card. If your gift card balance does not exceed the price of your purchase, you can pay the difference with a selected credit card or cash. Note: You CANNOT use your gift card email to purchase in-store. The actual gift card MUST be presented.

      https://www.jbhifi.com.au/pages/how-do-i-use-a-gift-card-to-…

      • netsurfer on 07/01/2020 - 12:20

        It's better to know about this type of things can happen.

        After all, OP did send this "James" person a photo of the cards including the numbers. That person could play dumb and tell the JB staff at the counter he forgot to bring the cards, but he has the details on his phone (as photos).

        It's better to think of gift cards as the least secure payment method, rather than assuming they operate like credit cards. Gift cards can be given to anyone, so you cannot enforce any ID check.

        • capslock janitor on 07/01/2020 - 15:26

          It's better to think of gift cards as the least secure payment method,

          A common GC note is to treat them like Cash as well.

          • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 15:29
            +2

            @capslock janitor: Simply take photos of money, and you can use it any JB Hifi store! …

            Or even better, just photo copy and print money.

            • capslock janitor on 07/01/2020 - 15:33

              @RNDM: I agree it should be a more secure process, but as you can see the comments here are mixed about people redeeming without PIN. That's the current reality it seems. Some grey areas

    • jimdotpud on 07/01/2020 - 13:39

      this is why i think that James is a jbhifi employee and must know a way to use the gift card with only serial/card number or other loophole. physical giftcards have a magnetic strip, last time i used one the girl at the cashregister swiped it, and then scratched off the pin covering (coz i hadn't done it) to enter the pin.

  • blackout134 on 07/01/2020 - 12:31

    Whenever I have used physical gift cards at JB they have never even needed the pin. In fact I have gone to scratch it off in front of them and they have told me not to worry.

    My guess is that this guy has generated the barcode in a pay app like Samsung Pay or similar and it has looked legitimate enough.

    On another note, if this is the case you could technically go to any retailer that sells JB gift cards, take photos of the barcodes and then try your luck in a few days.

    Seems like a pretty flawed system to me.

    • netsurfer on 07/01/2020 - 12:42
      +1

      OP sent him a photo of the card(s). I reckon the scammer would just use that. JB staff have no issue manually entering the card number when they cannot scan the card / barcode.

      • smpantsonfire on 07/01/2020 - 19:11
        +1

        If I worked there I wouldn't accept it. But then again, I have common sense.

    • capslock janitor on 07/01/2020 - 15:28

      technically go to any retailer that sells JB gift cards, take photos of the barcodes and then try your luck in a few days.

      Last I knew, the GC actually has to be paid for to be active, in this case it would've been activated by JBHIFI when sent to OP

      • Mysterious Laptop on 07/01/2020 - 21:13
        +1

        thats what he meant by saying 'try your luck in a few days'.
        i.e. someone would pay for it to be active in a few days then - apparently - you can redeem it even without the pin

        • capslock janitor on 07/01/2020 - 21:17

          Oh shit yeahh, another good reason why I should grab Cards and groceries at the back lol

  • therooftop on 07/01/2020 - 12:34
    +1

    Can you check what time the transactions were (when was the gift card used and was it before or after you sent the details to the second buyer?)

  • solidussnake on 07/01/2020 - 12:37
    +4

    Hey mate looks like you were right I just spoke to my Mate at JB in QLD and yes they don't need pins in store anymore over Xmas they were swiping and not needing a pin.

    He must of added the card to his phone and used the paywave thing 🤷‍♂️

    • Ghost47 on 09/01/2020 - 14:24

      Why the (profanity) would JB allow that? Holy (profanity) my faith in Australian businesses keeps diminishing day after day.

      • solidussnake on 09/01/2020 - 14:31
        +1

        Who knows I used to work for them and it was a nightmare in sales, when I asked him he said they were all confused as to not need/use the pin when they were putting through sales.

        Most sales guys who put their own sales through at their desks usually just put them through and don't check ids where the counter staff would. It all comes down to that busy period as well as staff not getting trained correctly.

        I used a Bunnings gift card today and it was just a barcode no pin and they gave me cash back 🤷‍♂️ bit of a mess lol

  • lechuck123 on 07/01/2020 - 12:39
    +1

    If it were possible to claim gift cards with only their card number, then an easy scam would be to go into a JB HIFI, write down a bunch of card numbers from the racks and then just wait for them to be purchased.

    Surely if it was possible, this would be a much bigger issue.

    • jorf on 07/01/2020 - 12:42
      +1

      It seems that's entirely possible. See my post below.

      • lechuck123 on 07/01/2020 - 12:49

        Wow, that's terrible security. Would love to see an official response from JB about this

    • netsurfer on 07/01/2020 - 12:52

      Technically possible, but how do you know when the gift card will be purchased and how much? Luckily, due to that, I reckon scammers don't find that kind of dodgy business worthwhile.

      Those scammers target feeBay and gumtree.

  • jorf on 07/01/2020 - 12:41
    +2

    A couple of weeks ago I purchased a JB gift card from Suncorp - I then received a digital gift card, that was just a barcode with a pin. When I used it at JB, the girl just scanned the barcode off my phone and didn't enter or even look at the pin.

    I just scanned that barcode myself with a barcode scanner, and it just contains the gift card number, nothing more.

    So it does indeed seem that a JB gift card number by itself is all you need to redeem. You could even make it look completely legit by just creating an image that makes it look like an official digital gift card with whatever barcode you want.

    I would be putting it back onto JB about how they allow that kind of garbage programming in the first place.

    • netsurfer on 07/01/2020 - 12:43

      OP did send the scammer a copy of the cards with the card number / barcode exposed. It's easy to convince staff that you have the cards (by showing the photos) but forgot to bring them.

      • lechuck123 on 07/01/2020 - 12:47
        +2

        Very easy to generate a barcode if you have the number too.

        https://barcode.tec-it.com/en/Code128

      • jorf on 07/01/2020 - 12:49

        I'm saying you don't even need to convince them of anything. Two minutes with a barcode generator and an image editing tool is all you need to create something that looks like an official e-gift card.

        JB's system does not require the pin to be entered if the barcode is scanned in store, since you know, no one would ever find a way past that system.

        • netsurfer on 07/01/2020 - 12:56

          So we probably should ask JB Hi Fi and EB Games to update their system to make PIN code mandatory (like Coles and Woolworth).

          Otherwise, right now, with barcode generator and digital gift card (basically just a PDF), scammers could do some creative hack and even if the PIN number is completely wrong, JB staff would not even notice or check.

      • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 12:53

        No barcode sent. Only card number

        • netsurfer on 07/01/2020 - 12:57
          +3

          The barcode is the card number.

          • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 13:00
            +1

            @netsurfer: Yah. So just there’s no real controls stopping someone photographing blank gift cards and just redeem them in the future when they get loaded with credit…..

            • wyrmy on 07/01/2020 - 18:03

              @RNDM: This is scarily true and is exactly why PIN should be mandatory

              • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 18:23
                +1

                @wyrmy: Just simply walk into any JB hi-fi store, and you can see a pile of JB hi-fi gift cards. Now I know that they are not activated yet, but there is no difference between those cards that are sitting on the rack versus a card that has been activated and handed to me.

                So this really means that, the stack of gift cards that are sitting at the front of the store could all be compromised. No one knows any better.

                I don’t know, surely I must be missing something here.

                • ebbzuv on 07/01/2020 - 19:39

                  @RNDM: Sorry this happened to you and thanks for sharing. You are right. This happened to me with another gift card. It was redeemed by someone else (another state) exactly the very next day after I purchased. At that time I haven't even scratched the pin. Stopped using gift cards.

                  • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 19:44

                    @ebbzuv: That's so wrong … This really feels like JB Hifi is scamming customers and absolving themselves of any responsibility.

                    • ebbzuv on 07/01/2020 - 19:47

                      @RNDM: Just to clarify that the gift card was not JB's, but with another provider. There are so many loop holes with these systems. I am guessing, they brute-force and obtain pin numbers. Too much hassle compared to savings.

    • lechuck123 on 07/01/2020 - 12:52
      +4

      Here's a sample where you can see what is in the barcode (click the image to get the full picture and use a phone barcode scanner)

      https://colnect.com/en/gift_cards/gift_card/71098-Logo_on_ye…

      Barcode is exactly the number underneath, uf the scammer had that full card number and that's all that's required to redeem, they could easily generate a barcode.

      • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 12:55
        +1

        Yah well, then that may have happened

        The card doesn’t look like that though .actually there’s no bar code at all on the card. The card uses magnetic strip

        • netsurfer on 07/01/2020 - 13:02

          For a JB digital gift card, you are only given 2 information, card number and pin. The instructions state that enter the card number and pin when making a purchase. There is a barcode printed, but it is clearly the card number.

          Basically, JB's system is Pin number optional, which means the card and the card number has to be treated as cash.

          • Leeeroy on 07/01/2020 - 13:54

            @netsurfer: You can scan a picture of a barcode so now the picture should be treated as cash

  • hasher22 on 07/01/2020 - 13:51
    +2

    I got a gift card myself and I don't check the balance myself but looks like an inside job.

    1 - You need a pin to check online
    2 - There's no phone number on the card to check balance like a woolworths gift card
    3 - There's no barcode
    4 - When using this card, JB members only need to swipe the card and no pin entered

    what my card looks like: https://ibb.co/8YNLtBy

    • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 14:14

      Yeah, that’s what my card looks like also

      • hasher22 on 07/01/2020 - 14:23

        Yup an inside job then, he knows someone inside that can input the card number in the system without pin and even then customers don't need the pin when they have the physical card.

        Sorry OP, I really hope you get justice on this BS

        • jorf on 07/01/2020 - 15:06

          Not an inside job - any checkout operator can just scan the barcode. The pin is not required, which is a massive flaw in JB's system.

          • hasher22 on 07/01/2020 - 15:36
            +1

            @jorf: There's no barcode. But a rep can enter the card number (same as the barcode) even if its not an inside job, the rep violated policy for not having a physical card.

            The other option, if James is good at photoshop, he could have easily made an online barcode and picture to give to the rep in-store to scan or enter and look like a legit online gift-card

            • PissLUR on 07/01/2020 - 15:43

              @hasher22: you can create the barcode using the number.

              • hasher22 on 07/01/2020 - 15:46
                +1

                @PissLUR: yeah that's what I'm saying, you can with the card number.

                For exmaple: I had JB vouchers via PDF and I just showed them the barcode from my phone, they scan it and all good and paid.

                Tho, if they were good at photoshop, they can easily make a barcode with the card number and the JB rep wouldn't know better and scan it, paid, done. I have a $20 gift card, I can use photoshop and I wonder if my theory is true. I should try with my own gift card.

                • PissLUR on 07/01/2020 - 15:49

                  @hasher22: scroll up and read your posts again. they are conflicting.

                  bottom line is.
                  if the operator enters or swipes the card number, you need the pin.
                  if the operator scans the barcode, you dont need the pin.

                  • hasher22 on 07/01/2020 - 15:53

                    @PissLUR: "if the operator enters or swipes the card number, you need the pin."

                    No, you don't need the pin when they swipe the card. I never had them enter the card manually, but when I swipe the card, no pin is asked. This is also confirmed with in-store reps saying it's not needed.

                    Also, what did I say that's conflicting?

  • alxr0101 on 07/01/2020 - 13:52
    +4

    Inside job? "James" works at JBHIFI or knows someone. "His" gumtree history is entirely JBHIFI gift cards and merchandise that is typically sold at JBHIFI.

    • hasher22 on 07/01/2020 - 14:03

      What's his gumtree account?

      • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 14:15

        The link is in the original post of above

  • eggles01 on 07/01/2020 - 13:55

    have you been to jbhifi to see that they have been used,you also have to contact Dept FairTrading or Consumer Affairs whichever is in your state or Territory and ask if JBHIFI are liable for the amount if their terms and conditions that their cards can be cashed in without having the original actual card,
    also go to your local police station and make a report to them with everything you know,they may not be able to help you but it is on their books in case they have try in again and get caught,definately find out the actual store as they have cameras on in their stores who knows maybe one of the cameras may have caught the actual transaction,best of luck

    • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 14:16

      I was going to file a report with consumer affairs, but it did mention to see if it can be resolved with the store. Secondly when I was trying to file a police report, this apparently falls under Australian cyber crime Centre jurisdiction instead of police. And that report was filed last night, and when I was talking to the police they said it would take a couple weeks, a couple of months, even 12 months before he a response back from them

      • sleet on 07/01/2020 - 14:23
        +1

        Sometimes the police are lazy sh*ts. They give these stupid timelines and estimates to make people give up. That's why some have reputation as pigs. Encountered it first hand multiple times.

        • robbyjones on 07/01/2020 - 19:53
          -7

          That is a vile thing to say. Shame on you.

    • smpantsonfire on 07/01/2020 - 19:17

      E gift cards don't have a physical card either though.

  • sleet on 07/01/2020 - 14:06
    +5

    THIS is Sherlock Holmes 2020 style. I would watch a TV show based on this. This is what crime and detective shows should be doing in 2020!

    Please keep us updated. Don't give up! $1,500 should be a lesson learned for the thief, not for you.

    • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 14:17

      Still continuing the story.

  • hasher22 on 07/01/2020 - 14:07

    OP I suggest you request to have a manager or a internal investigator from JB HI FI to buy something from james and pick it up. I had a friend that used to work for a sunglasses store like 10 years ago and she stole sunnies and resold them online on eBay. She got caught cause at the time when privacy details were kinda loose, one of the internal investigators or fraud risk people could get account information from usernames which is very unethical at the time.

  • Jackkkkkk on 07/01/2020 - 14:07

    Ouch! I'd be pissed, but I don't think you can do much else. Looks like an inside job, is there anyway you can check where the card was used?

  • dji1111111 on 07/01/2020 - 14:22

    I used JB gift card recently and they take a record of your ID due to the sheer number of fraudulent activities involving gift cards.
    I'm sure they have a record of "James" when he redeemed the gift cards.

  • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 14:35
    +23

    Next chapter to this story:

    So, called up Woden store again, to see how they've progressed. Spoke to a different manager this time, and he mentioned that there's not much that he can do at this point. He simply told me to file a Police report. So … I walked to the Police Station, explained the situation, and they mentioned since this occurred online, that this falls under the jurisdiction of Australian Cyber Security Center. So, I asked him, just to get a feel of a turn around, "it all depends on resources, could be anywhere from weeks, months or even 12 months before it gets looked at". Great … I told him that I had filed a report with the ASCS, and he said to call the store and see if they will accept the report reference number.

    So called, Woden again, had another chat, and the manager said no. The request for information to be released needs to come from the authorities. I asked whether it would be worthwhile talking to the stores here in Brisbane. So … I did.

    Walked into one of the Brisbane stores, simply told them that the cards had already been redeemed and that I had only just looked to use them today. They swiped the magnetic strip, and confirmed what I had already know … all claimed. He told me, there's nothing they can do, and to call the number on the back of the card.

    So … stood outside of the store and rang the number on the back of the card. Explained, I have these 3 cards, $1500 in value, I wanted to use them today, but there's no money on them. They took the card numbers, and confirmed that they all had been redeemed.

    Now, I didn't mention this, but 1 of the 3 cards was coming up as "invalid" when I attempted to check the balance. She informed me that the "invalid" card is usually locked because of multiple PIN entry failures. They also told me that this 3rd "invalid" card is claimed in VIC … So, 2 claimed in ACT, and 1 in VIC.

    She went away to talk to her manager, and came back saying that she can only escalate this with JB HIFI head office. She was rather confused as to how the card could have been redeemed, when I have the physical cards with me here in QLD, yet claims occurring in other states.

    Now waiting for a response from head office. Will see what they come back with, or call in again tomorrow …

    • umoddbro on 07/01/2020 - 15:34

      Did you also tell the guy over the phone that you gave the card numbers to a guy on Gumtree?

      • RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 15:35

        The Woden store only. Otherwise, just been saying that I wanted to use them today, and they ain't working. They've been with me …

  • [Deactivated] on 07/01/2020 - 14:38
    +3

    The amount of money I've lost in the years 😬

    $550 buying a phone off a junkie on Gumtree, had JB receipts. I forgot to google his mobile, he had sold to like 10-15+ people.

    I bought an iPod off eBay, another junkie. Police range me and said no chance.

    Funny enough, you managed to file a report! sA police send you to QLD online, they'll send me to NSW and repeat 🤣🤣🤣
    Its ridiculous, I actually told an officer how easy it easy to con people online and Police do nothing! They looked at my weird, but it's true! It's actually very easy to scam people here, and you can cover it well. Police rarely, if ever get involved because the amounts are too small or the seller/buyer has made an error and leaves a loophole. It sucks.

    I lost $4,500 to China. I was buying/selling and dealt with this guy for 2 years. One day he decided to stop responding and take my money! Federal police said it wasn't a large enough amount to investigate unfortunately.

    Told me not to deal in bank wires, but I had dealt with him plenty of times and back then no one in China even took PayPal.

    Countless other times!
    I always use my CC now, offers some protection.
    I think sellers have it worse, even with postage it must be tracked.

    I've had blokes send me a box full of paper from Queensland instead of protein bars. The weight didn't match what the bars would of, so PayPal sided with me.

    I had a guy in a America send me empty supplements, clever as he could of argued he never said brand new in the ad! However, apparently United States postal law is very interesting and some people on a forum told me if you're mailing something which you didn't claim, it's illegal and after I contacted him he let the PayPal claim go through.

    The world is f&&ked for both honest buyer/seller.

    • luffyex2010 on 07/01/2020 - 15:52
      +1

      Welcome to planet earth which is filled with scum and villany lol.

      $4500 china….did you order a sex dolls or something?

      • [Deactivated] on 07/01/2020 - 21:20
        +1

        It was over 12-14 years ago, I was buying/selling on eBay way before it was popular.

        It was probably the 4th/5th dealing with this one guy.

        Item wise, I was dealing in fashion back then. The profit margins were really good! I wouldn't bother these days tho, cheap fashion has killed it.

    • Ughhh on 07/01/2020 - 18:37

      Its ridiculous, I actually told an officer how easy it easy to con people online and Police do nothing!

      What exactly do you expect police to do? Once theyve solved your case, you'll go back to gumtree transferring money to strangers.

      Education is key. Unfortunately, people don't like being told they can't have a bargain.

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