01-08-2024, 02:22 AM
Site logo image ScamicideScam of the day – January 8, 2024 – Apple Settles Gift Card Scam Lawsuit
Steven Weisman, Esq.
Jan 7
As I have mentioned many times, gift cards are a favorite method of payment for scammers. Unlike a check, payment of which can be stopped, once a scammer has the numbers of a gift card, the money is lost forever. A class action lawsuit was brought against Apple for failing to help victims of scams involving Apple gift cards. After a motion by Apple to dismiss the lawsuit was lost, Apple agreed to mediation and the mediation has now resulted in a settlement.
The scams at the basis of the lawsuit began with victims of the scams being called on the phone by someone posing as an IRS agent threatening the targeted victims with dire consequences if they did not make immediate payment through Apple gift cards. According to the lawsuit, victims of the scam lost hundreds of millions of dollars. The settlement is now being submitted to the judge for approval.
Apple had originally told the scam victims that there was nothing Apple could do and that Apple had a strict no-refund policy. Apple also pointed out that it advised purchasers of Apple gift cards not to provide the numbers to anyone they did not personally know. However, lawyers for the scam victims pointed out that Apple profited directly from the scams involving its gift cards because Apple typically deposited only 70% of the stolen gift card funds into the scammers' bank accounts and kept 30% as its commission, fully aware that it was profiting from its customers being scammed. Judge Edward Davilla found this to be unconscionable.
TIPS
The class action involves scams where Apple gift cards were used between 2015 and July 31, 2020 where victims were not reimbursed by Apple for their losses. Once the settlement is approved I will report to you about how to obtain a payment if you were one of the victims of this scam.
As for gift cards, the IRS does not accept payment by way of gift cards. The truth is no legitimate business or governmental agency asks for payment through gift cards so anytime you are asked for a payment through a gift card, you can be confident that it is a scam. Also, the IRS will never initiate contact with taxpayers by phone, text message or email.
If you are not a subscriber to Scamicide.com and would like to receive daily emails with the Scam of the day, all you need to do is sign up for free using this link. https://scamicide.com/scam-of-the-day/
Manage your email settings or unsubscribe.
Steven Weisman, Esq.
Jan 7
As I have mentioned many times, gift cards are a favorite method of payment for scammers. Unlike a check, payment of which can be stopped, once a scammer has the numbers of a gift card, the money is lost forever. A class action lawsuit was brought against Apple for failing to help victims of scams involving Apple gift cards. After a motion by Apple to dismiss the lawsuit was lost, Apple agreed to mediation and the mediation has now resulted in a settlement.
The scams at the basis of the lawsuit began with victims of the scams being called on the phone by someone posing as an IRS agent threatening the targeted victims with dire consequences if they did not make immediate payment through Apple gift cards. According to the lawsuit, victims of the scam lost hundreds of millions of dollars. The settlement is now being submitted to the judge for approval.
Apple had originally told the scam victims that there was nothing Apple could do and that Apple had a strict no-refund policy. Apple also pointed out that it advised purchasers of Apple gift cards not to provide the numbers to anyone they did not personally know. However, lawyers for the scam victims pointed out that Apple profited directly from the scams involving its gift cards because Apple typically deposited only 70% of the stolen gift card funds into the scammers' bank accounts and kept 30% as its commission, fully aware that it was profiting from its customers being scammed. Judge Edward Davilla found this to be unconscionable.
TIPS
The class action involves scams where Apple gift cards were used between 2015 and July 31, 2020 where victims were not reimbursed by Apple for their losses. Once the settlement is approved I will report to you about how to obtain a payment if you were one of the victims of this scam.
As for gift cards, the IRS does not accept payment by way of gift cards. The truth is no legitimate business or governmental agency asks for payment through gift cards so anytime you are asked for a payment through a gift card, you can be confident that it is a scam. Also, the IRS will never initiate contact with taxpayers by phone, text message or email.
If you are not a subscriber to Scamicide.com and would like to receive daily emails with the Scam of the day, all you need to do is sign up for free using this link. https://scamicide.com/scam-of-the-day/
Manage your email settings or unsubscribe.
It is Well with My Soul