Other Customer Service Support

[leah47]

I was scammed today August 31, 2020 

I was scrammed out of $2,000 today. I was contacted by an individual who claimed to be from Norton, and they were supposedly going to issue me a 199.00 refund for my Norton product, since I have webroot from Best Buy. They brought up screens that looked legit. Claimed to have put $2,000 into my account in stead of the 199.00 for the unused norton subscription that they claimed was billed to my account. I went to Best Buy purchased 4 gift cards with 500.00 balance each. I am a 73 year old person. I called Best Buy, who gave me a case number, they also identified the store where the gift cards were spent. I was Provided a NON working number to the district manager.  I asked the employee 2 times if I was hearing him right, that people can come in to a brick and mortar store and only provide gift card number with no actual card and he said yes. I was shocked that this was so easy for a criminal to do this. I contacted local authorities and they told me there is nothing that can be done, I destroyed the gift cards as instructed, I still have the receipt. 

[Fey-BBY Valued Contributor]

Hello, leah47,

Welcome to the Best Buy Forum. Thanks for joining our online community!

I'm sorry that you were taken advantage of by scammers. Having recently been a victim of credit card fraud myself, I can understand how alarming it can be when something like this happens. You had mentioned that the gift cards were already used. As this is the case, Best Buy may be limited in any additional actions that can be taken. We recommend following up with your local law enforcement in regard to this, as well as reporting this to the FTC. Your local law enforcement can work with the store that the gift cards were purchased at for additional information and support. The store's management team has procedures in place to support your local law enforcement with fraud reports.

I hope things start looking up for you soon.

Best,
 

[mymoney101]

Exact same scam happened to my dad 9/7. He was scammed out of $4000 with 4 cards used instore in another STATE minutes after purchase. We still have physical possession of the cards but someone was able to walk into a store with just the number and drain them. I will tell anyone who listens to avoid Best Buy gift cards. There is not even minimal protection for consumers. I would not be surprised if I found out employees are involved.

[jdogg836 · Accepted solution]

The real issue at hand, and one that the Federal Trade Commission keeps warning consumers about is to never give out gift card numbers. Without those key details, the cards can never be compromised. I would encourage anyone reading this, especially those with elderly or technology-limited parents of these new scams. As I mentioned, FTC.gov has numerous articles on this, and this scam is common at 100’s of retailers. Again, keeping the card numbers safe and not giving them out over the phone is the key to preventing this scam. Knowledge around this will help. Understanding that gift cards cannot be used to pay bail, overdue income taxes, fines, etc. is also key.

[leah47]

It doesn’t surprise me that Best Buy sits idly buy when people get scammed, its nothing but pure profit for them . Best Buy could stop this from happening IF, they would make it company policy to not allow purchases in store if a customer cannot produce the gift card. Leah is a 73. I am a family member who helps her out. I will never do business with Best Buy again, you are not the only game in town. And I will also use every social media account I have to warn my family, friends and followers about your terrible policy of allowing gift cards to be spent with out the actual card being used. And just so you know, your great customer service provided me a NON WORKING. number to the district manager in the Georgia store where the stolen money was spent! No good to Leah or myself or to law enforcement. Feel free to reach out to me I’ll give you the non working number you provided to me for a District Manager in Dunwitty,Ga. Shame on Best Buy for allowing and being complicit to fraud of elderly, vulnerable people. I’ll be happy to advertise your policy for you. Your welcome in advance.

[leah47 · Accepted solution]

Also , I plan on contacting the Ohio attorney general so they too can investigate your business practices. I’ll contact the Monday Morning.

[nckhammond]

They dont have customer facing district managers.

Many gift cards are sold online as e-gift cards. There is no physical card. Asking for physical cards is not an option

Best buy didnt scam anyone. There is nothing they can or could have done to prevent the scam.

If the cards were used in the United states and not online the police can request the security video. Maybe you will get lucky and they can identify them.

Stop blaming the wrong people.

[jdogg836]

The Office of the Ohio Attorney General will likely direct you to the same FTC reports. This is a worldwide scam that retailers cannot stop. If you want to be part of the solution, help educate your friends and family.

Best Buy has signs up around the gift card section and front check out to ensure we’re getting the message out. My store used to address these individuals to ensure they know why they’re buying the cards and part of the scam is the scammer tells the victim to not discuss it with the store. Should that be a red flag? Absolutely, but people fall for it.

[leah47]

I get it you feel it’s just my problem or someone else’s problem. Perhaps you should look at coding the cards that are bought as a actual plastic gift cards that are sold in stores and one that is bought as an e-card. Looks like a simple solution to protect people from scammers . If Best Buy has the will I’m sure there is away. I’m sure it’s not rocket science.