Buying Gift Cards from Someone (Is It Safe?)

jimmy1593 on 10/01/2023 - 23:42
Last edited 11/01/2023 - 09:02 by 1 other user

Hello OzBs

I recently bought a few visa cards from someone in person from Gumtree. The cards were sold at 15-20% discount and are worth for about $500.

My sixth sense says something isn't right as the seller didn't look genuine (don't ask me how I got this)

I instantly used the GC's to buy other Coles group gift cards.

Is there some possibility that the seller might raise dispute with their bank etc to claim that the original visa gift cards were stolen etc. And also, what precaution do you make while dealing with such things?

P.S. the Visa cards were intact and sealed and I myself opened, checked balance and then handed cash. This was all done in a shopping centre with cameras around.

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  Jimothy Wongingtons on 10/01/2023 - 23:49

  +9

  If the cards worked and you’ve successfully redeemed them (sounds like you have) then you’re fine

  • 

    jimmy1593 on 10/01/2023 - 23:51

    Yea I've redeemed them but converted to other GC's..

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  follow on 11/01/2023 - 00:22

  +4

  i buy from here. only if they have a decent history.

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  randomusername2017 on 11/01/2023 - 00:39

  +2

  OzBargain Weekly Random Gift Card Discussion - 11 Jan 2023

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  Gervais fanboy on 11/01/2023 - 01:39

  +1

  and are worth for about 500$

  lol, I doubt the cops would even lift a finger for a amount as little as that.

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  djsweet on 11/01/2023 - 08:52

  +4

  In general No. Buying gift cards / prepaid cards is not safe. Especially from a rando on the internet. Sometimes not even from authorised vendors (see weekly gift card horror stories).

  If your case, it seems you have been successful. Since you've already made a purchase with them, I imagine you are as safe as you can be. Congrats, you gambled and won!

• 

  coxjon on 11/01/2023 - 09:19

  If a seller is having trouble shifting them, they may be able to meet you at the store and redeem them directly for cash. It’s a safe way but potential a PITA for the seller

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  Neoika on 11/01/2023 - 09:45

  +1

  The seller here is either a noob or scammer. It looks like the former. I can't imagine a cash card sold below 95% of its face value plus the efforts to make it happened.