Stolen Visa Gift Cards

[tzifanya54]

just to understand that last part, bc i (probably like everyone else) am worried about these getting stolen... r u saying that the VGCs have there own built-in fraud protection? ie, if soemone steals them and uses them, the store they were used at is liable for not making sure theyre stolen?

Correct. It's a long and painful task though.

[foseph]

Correct. It's a long and painful task though.

well better than loser $1k.

[tzifanya54]

well better than loser $1k.

Yes. Also keep in mind this isn't a regular dispute. For example the complete burden of proof will be on you that they were your gift cards. Also the store may claim that they did their due diligence and had no reason to assume they were stolen. IME they told me that the store needs to prove that it was legitimate, and they couldn't. Maybe some stores can/will fight back. This isn't a CC dispute were you are innocent until guilty. More like guilty until proven innocent. I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea. In OP's case I think he has a decent chance once he proves everything.

[Redbull3]

just to understand that last part, bc i (probably like everyone else) am worried about these getting stolen... r u saying that the VGCs have there own built-in fraud protection? ie, if soemone steals them and uses them, the store they were used at is liable for not making sure theyre stolen?

Correct. It's a long and painful task though.

That sounds hard to believe... By definition this is a product that is intended to be used by someone other than the purchaser (it is a "gift" card after all) - why would the final store where the transaction took place be required to investigate or know who purchased the gift card?

ETA could be I misunderstood something.

[SearchGuy]

And "if" he used it as DEBIT, there is NOTHING to do...

[tzifanya54]

That sounds hard to believe... By definition this is a product that is intended to be used by someone other than the purchaser (it is a "gift" card after all) - why would the final store where the transaction took place be required to investigate or know who purchased the gift card?

ETA could be I misunderstood something.

Well in my case the GC had been replicated and used. They told me its processed the same way as a stolen gift card. As a matter of fact the official document said stolen GC. I got the money back, so beleive what you want.

[Davidp]

Guys- thank you all very much for taking the time to advise me. I will let you know what happens! I will echo what one of the commenters wrote- Gam zu Letovah!!

[PillanSmye]

The real moral of this story is to have your gift cards liquidated in a expedient fashion.

[tzifanya54]

The real moral of this story is to have your gift cards liquidated in a expedient fashion.

Easier said then done in heavy MS traffic areas.

[ariIs]

Easier said then done in heavy MS traffic areas.

+1
It's not that easy in some areas, and they come in bunches when there's a staples promo or whatnot.
You have to treat it as you would cash, not a credit card.

[PillanSmye]

Easier said then done in heavy MS traffic areas.

Then you unfortunately risk the consequences.

Loss.  Theft.  Someone scamming your cards.  Liquidation spots/methods getting shut down.

The last two are of far greater concern to me than the first two.

[PillanSmye]

+1
It's not that easy in some areas, and they come in bunches when there's a staples promo or whatnot.

If you buy more than you can liquidate,  you've broken what I consider one of the prime rules of MS.   That's just my opinion,  but no one is going convince me otherwise.

[David Smith]

Then you unfortunately risk the consequences.

Loss.  Theft.  Someone scamming your cards.  Liquidation spots/methods getting shut down.

The last two are of far greater concern to me than the first two.

Who says the last one isn't a problem already, which is causing the delays? Scenario: You walk into RA A to unload GC's. You ask to load Serve cards, CSR says NO. Nice, short, sweet failed attempt. You go to RA B. After waiting on line for ten minutes, you ask nicely to load Serve card. CSR says cash only. Not so nice, not so short, not so sweet failed attempt. It's getting late, so you have to push it off for later. You leave GC's in car so you can try when you're in a different neighborhood. You come back and car is robbed.

[ariIs]

If you buy more than you can liquidate,  you've broken what I consider one of the prime rules of MS.   That's just my opinion,  but no one is going convince me otherwise.

I think it's more like 'more than you can float'. Liquidation can take time. (Load limits, deposit limits, etc.)

[CS91]

You leave GC's in car so you can try when you're in a different neighborhood. You come back and car is robbed.

Take it out of the car.  Would you leave $1,000+ cash in a car parked outside?

[David Smith]

If you buy more than you can liquidate,  you've broken what I consider one of the prime rules of MS.   That's just my opinion,  but no one is going convince me otherwise.

More than you are sure you will be able to liquidate on attempt 1 or day 1? That's pretty stifling. For most of us, I think that would be phrased "more than you can float in a worst case scenario". There are usually expensive ways to liquidate in case of emergency (PayPal, ect), but obviously people would rather try better methods first.

[David Smith]

Take it out of the car.  Would you leave $1,000+ cash in a car parked outside?

So you shouldn't forget it at home/in case you pass by a place unexpectedly. I'm just saying it's understandable.

[CS91]

So you shouldn't forget it at home/in case you pass by a place unexpectedly.

I didn't say don't bring it with you. Just that when you park the car outside, put them in your pocket.

[PillanSmye]

More than you are sure you will be able to liquidate on attempt 1 or day 1? That's pretty stifling. For most of us, I think that would be phrased "more than you can float in a worst case scenario". There are usually expensive ways to liquidate in case of emergency (PayPal, ect), but obviously people would rather try better methods first.

I said expedient fashion.  I didn't say 1 day. 

I also said clearly that it's my opinion, so what "most of us" do doesn't mean I agree with it.

If you get greedy and bite off more than you can chew, be prepared to deal with the consequences.

As the OP has made readily apparent, float ability is not the only factor to be considered.  And as I have learned in years of experience in various occupations and activities, the factors which you don't consider cost/kill you.

[PETERP]

So you shouldn't forget it at home/in case you pass by a place unexpectedly. I'm just saying it's understandable.

That's why when I go to liquidate I always wear a jacket with zippered pockets , and I have come back home with $1500 in GCs still in my zippered pockets numerous times .

Thanks Northface  ! And I don't do things , unexpectedly.