Amazon Gift Voucher Complaint

powerful_Rogue

bazza2000_2 said:

powerful_Rogue said:

bazza2000_2 said:

Boohoo said:

How was the card bought and from where?

There has been a lot of stories in the media about physical gift cards being tampered with and then put back onto the shelves and the people doing the tampering using the codes to buy stuff.

Your sister should go to the store( if it was bought from one) and see if anything can be done.

As for Amazon taking this stance they must get thousands of customers complaining about this and why should they pay out with out investigating things 1st.

Also as you may be aware if you get a refund Amazon may close your account.

As for Amazon’s “investigation,” their email states they’ve looked into it but refuse to provide any details — instead, they claim the card was redeemed by someone in my family. I find that impossible to believe, as I’m the only person left in my family with my surname.

I don't think Amazon would just make that up. There clearly is a link on the Amazon systems between yourself and someone else that used the card. Quite rightly they can't disclose the actual information to yourself due to GDPR.

There is no ombudsman that covers Amazon. Consumer rights will be against Tesco, however they will contact Amazon who will defend it using that someone associated to your account has redeemed the voucher.

That leaves taking Tesco to small claims court. Potentially then Amazon might divulge to the court who redeemed it. Regardless, this would all have to be done by your sister as she is the consumer.

With respect, that’s quite a leap to make. Amazon have provided absolutely no evidence to support their claim — they’ve simply stated that “someone in my family” redeemed the card, without showing any proof, and are now hiding behind GDPR as a convenient shield. GDPR protects personal data, not unsubstantiated accusations.

The card in question was a physical gift card purchased from a Tesco store — nothing more. It has no link to me beyond the fact that I was the one attempting to redeem it. The claim that Amazon somehow knows it was used by a “family member” is, frankly, ridiculous and completely unprovable without any transparency on their part.

It’s not unreasonable to expect that a company the size of Amazon could properly investigate this type of fraud instead of throwing out boilerplate responses that effectively shift the blame onto innocent customers. The notion that “Amazon wouldn’t make it up” is naïve — they’re simply avoiding responsibility for an issue that’s been publicly reported multiple times: tampered gift cards being sold through legitimate retail channels.

I appreciate differing opinions, but let’s not confuse corporate silence with integrity.

No they didn't, they said 'close relative or acquaintance'. They don't need to provide the evidence to you due to GDPR as already explained. However it appears they DO have the evidence should it need to be disclosed to the police or courts.

Bascially, somone you know has diddled you out of a gift voucher and you're blaming Amazon.

Okell

bazza2000_2 said:

Boohoo said:

How was the card bought and from where?

There has been a lot of stories in the media about physical gift cards being tampered with and then put back onto the shelves and the people doing the tampering using the codes to buy stuff.

Your sister should go to the store( if it was bought from one) and see if anything can be done.

As for Amazon taking this stance they must get thousands of customers complaining about this and why should they pay out with out investigating things 1st.

Also as you may be aware if you get a refund Amazon may close your account.

... As for Amazon’s “investigation,” their email states they’ve looked into it but refuse to provide any details — instead, they claim the card was redeemed by someone in my family. I find that impossible to believe, as I’m the only person left in my family with my surname...

Exaggerating doesn't help you.

Amazon haven't said it was redeemed by a family member, they've suggested it could be a close relative OR an acquaintance.

They have then gone on to suggest, amongst other things, that you ask yourself if someone living in the same household (not necessarily a family member) could have had access to the card and redeemed it.  Do you share a household with anyone other than your family?

Unless Amazon are lying (which I suppose is possible but probably not likely) I suspect they have evidence that the card was redeemed on an account that has some connection to you, but quite rightly the law prevents them from giving that information to you or telling you what the connection is.  It might be the same surname or it might be the same address.  Who knows?  But they aren't going to tell you because you have no right to the information. 

The only person with any consumer rights here is your sister, because she's the person that bought the card - not you.  She needs to take it up with Tesco who she bought the card from.

Gift cards are a waste of money in my view.  They are more trouble than they are worth when things go wrong.  I don't buy them; I don't give them as gifts; and I tell people likely to give me gifts not to buy them for me.  If they want to give me a £40 birthday present but don't know what to get me, I want the cash not a gift voucher.

bazza2000_2

powerful_Rogue said:

bazza2000_2 said:

powerful_Rogue said:

bazza2000_2 said:

Boohoo said:

How was the card bought and from where?

There has been a lot of stories in the media about physical gift cards being tampered with and then put back onto the shelves and the people doing the tampering using the codes to buy stuff.

Your sister should go to the store( if it was bought from one) and see if anything can be done.

As for Amazon taking this stance they must get thousands of customers complaining about this and why should they pay out with out investigating things 1st.

Also as you may be aware if you get a refund Amazon may close your account.

As for Amazon’s “investigation,” their email states they’ve looked into it but refuse to provide any details — instead, they claim the card was redeemed by someone in my family. I find that impossible to believe, as I’m the only person left in my family with my surname.

I don't think Amazon would just make that up. There clearly is a link on the Amazon systems between yourself and someone else that used the card. Quite rightly they can't disclose the actual information to yourself due to GDPR.

There is no ombudsman that covers Amazon. Consumer rights will be against Tesco, however they will contact Amazon who will defend it using that someone associated to your account has redeemed the voucher.

That leaves taking Tesco to small claims court. Potentially then Amazon might divulge to the court who redeemed it. Regardless, this would all have to be done by your sister as she is the consumer.

With respect, that’s quite a leap to make. Amazon have provided absolutely no evidence to support their claim — they’ve simply stated that “someone in my family” redeemed the card, without showing any proof, and are now hiding behind GDPR as a convenient shield. GDPR protects personal data, not unsubstantiated accusations.

The card in question was a physical gift card purchased from a Tesco store — nothing more. It has no link to me beyond the fact that I was the one attempting to redeem it. The claim that Amazon somehow knows it was used by a “family member” is, frankly, ridiculous and completely unprovable without any transparency on their part.

It’s not unreasonable to expect that a company the size of Amazon could properly investigate this type of fraud instead of throwing out boilerplate responses that effectively shift the blame onto innocent customers. The notion that “Amazon wouldn’t make it up” is naïve — they’re simply avoiding responsibility for an issue that’s been publicly reported multiple times: tampered gift cards being sold through legitimate retail channels.

I appreciate differing opinions, but let’s not confuse corporate silence with integrity.

No they didn't, they said 'close relative or acquaintance'. They don't need to provide the evidence to you due to GDPR as already explained. However it appears they DO have the evidence should it need to be disclosed to the police or courts.

Bascially, somone you know has diddled you out of a gift voucher and you're blaming Amazon.

That’s quite an accusation to make without a shred of proof. You’ve no idea who I know, and neither does Amazon. They’ve refused to provide any evidence — not even the date or time — so for you to confidently claim “someone I know diddled me” is pure speculation.

Amazon’s vague wording (“close relative or acquaintance”) is a convenient way to shift blame without substantiation. If they truly had evidence of misuse, they’d be required to provide it to law enforcement — not hide behind GDPR when challenged by the victim.

Let’s be clear: the issue here is not “someone I know,” it’s the well-documented problem of tampered physical gift cards being sold through legitimate retailers like Tesco. That’s what both Tesco and Amazon should be investigating — not unfounded personal theories from strangers on a forum.

sheramber

f they truly had evidence of misuse, they’d be required to provide it to law enforcement — not hide behind GDPR when challenged by the victim.

Yes, Which was pointed out to you earlier.

Your sister needs to go court  for that to happen. 

powerful_Rogue

bazza2000_2 said:

powerful_Rogue said:

bazza2000_2 said:

powerful_Rogue said:

bazza2000_2 said:

Boohoo said:

How was the card bought and from where?

There has been a lot of stories in the media about physical gift cards being tampered with and then put back onto the shelves and the people doing the tampering using the codes to buy stuff.

Your sister should go to the store( if it was bought from one) and see if anything can be done.

As for Amazon taking this stance they must get thousands of customers complaining about this and why should they pay out with out investigating things 1st.

Also as you may be aware if you get a refund Amazon may close your account.

As for Amazon’s “investigation,” their email states they’ve looked into it but refuse to provide any details — instead, they claim the card was redeemed by someone in my family. I find that impossible to believe, as I’m the only person left in my family with my surname.

I don't think Amazon would just make that up. There clearly is a link on the Amazon systems between yourself and someone else that used the card. Quite rightly they can't disclose the actual information to yourself due to GDPR.

There is no ombudsman that covers Amazon. Consumer rights will be against Tesco, however they will contact Amazon who will defend it using that someone associated to your account has redeemed the voucher.

That leaves taking Tesco to small claims court. Potentially then Amazon might divulge to the court who redeemed it. Regardless, this would all have to be done by your sister as she is the consumer.

With respect, that’s quite a leap to make. Amazon have provided absolutely no evidence to support their claim — they’ve simply stated that “someone in my family” redeemed the card, without showing any proof, and are now hiding behind GDPR as a convenient shield. GDPR protects personal data, not unsubstantiated accusations.

The card in question was a physical gift card purchased from a Tesco store — nothing more. It has no link to me beyond the fact that I was the one attempting to redeem it. The claim that Amazon somehow knows it was used by a “family member” is, frankly, ridiculous and completely unprovable without any transparency on their part.

It’s not unreasonable to expect that a company the size of Amazon could properly investigate this type of fraud instead of throwing out boilerplate responses that effectively shift the blame onto innocent customers. The notion that “Amazon wouldn’t make it up” is naïve — they’re simply avoiding responsibility for an issue that’s been publicly reported multiple times: tampered gift cards being sold through legitimate retail channels.

I appreciate differing opinions, but let’s not confuse corporate silence with integrity.

No they didn't, they said 'close relative or acquaintance'. They don't need to provide the evidence to you due to GDPR as already explained. However it appears they DO have the evidence should it need to be disclosed to the police or courts.

Bascially, somone you know has diddled you out of a gift voucher and you're blaming Amazon.

That’s quite an accusation to make without a shred of proof. You’ve no idea who I know, and neither does Amazon. They’ve refused to provide any evidence — not even the date or time — so for you to confidently claim “someone I know diddled me” is pure speculation.

Amazon’s vague wording (“close relative or acquaintance”) is a convenient way to shift blame without substantiation. If they truly had evidence of misuse, they’d be required to provide it to law enforcement — not hide behind GDPR when challenged by the victim.

Let’s be clear: the issue here is not “someone I know,” it’s the well-documented problem of tampered physical gift cards being sold through legitimate retailers like Tesco. That’s what both Tesco and Amazon should be investigating — not unfounded personal theories from strangers on a forum.

That's strictly not true. I'm referencing the infomation you have provided from Amazon. So you're saying Amazon are lying and they don't hold infomation that your gift card was redeemed either by a close relative or acquaintance?

Okell

bazza2000_2 said:

powerful_Rogue said:

bazza2000_2 said:

powerful_Rogue said:

bazza2000_2 said:

Boohoo said:

How was the card bought and from where?

There has been a lot of stories in the media about physical gift cards being tampered with and then put back onto the shelves and the people doing the tampering using the codes to buy stuff.

Your sister should go to the store( if it was bought from one) and see if anything can be done.

As for Amazon taking this stance they must get thousands of customers complaining about this and why should they pay out with out investigating things 1st.

Also as you may be aware if you get a refund Amazon may close your account.

As for Amazon’s “investigation,” their email states they’ve looked into it but refuse to provide any details — instead, they claim the card was redeemed by someone in my family. I find that impossible to believe, as I’m the only person left in my family with my surname.

I don't think Amazon would just make that up. There clearly is a link on the Amazon systems between yourself and someone else that used the card. Quite rightly they can't disclose the actual information to yourself due to GDPR.

There is no ombudsman that covers Amazon. Consumer rights will be against Tesco, however they will contact Amazon who will defend it using that someone associated to your account has redeemed the voucher.

That leaves taking Tesco to small claims court. Potentially then Amazon might divulge to the court who redeemed it. Regardless, this would all have to be done by your sister as she is the consumer.

With respect, that’s quite a leap to make. Amazon have provided absolutely no evidence to support their claim — they’ve simply stated that “someone in my family” redeemed the card, without showing any proof, and are now hiding behind GDPR as a convenient shield. GDPR protects personal data, not unsubstantiated accusations.

The card in question was a physical gift card purchased from a Tesco store — nothing more. It has no link to me beyond the fact that I was the one attempting to redeem it. The claim that Amazon somehow knows it was used by a “family member” is, frankly, ridiculous and completely unprovable without any transparency on their part.

It’s not unreasonable to expect that a company the size of Amazon could properly investigate this type of fraud instead of throwing out boilerplate responses that effectively shift the blame onto innocent customers. The notion that “Amazon wouldn’t make it up” is naïve — they’re simply avoiding responsibility for an issue that’s been publicly reported multiple times: tampered gift cards being sold through legitimate retail channels.

I appreciate differing opinions, but let’s not confuse corporate silence with integrity.

No they didn't, they said 'close relative or acquaintance'. They don't need to provide the evidence to you due to GDPR as already explained. However it appears they DO have the evidence should it need to be disclosed to the police or courts.

Bascially, somone you know has diddled you out of a gift voucher and you're blaming Amazon.

... they’d be required to provide it to law enforcement...

Why would they be required to provide it to law enforcement?

Has your sister complained to the police and have the police asked amazon for the information?

visidigi

bazza2000_2 said:

powerful_Rogue said:

bazza2000_2 said:

powerful_Rogue said:

bazza2000_2 said:

Boohoo said:

How was the card bought and from where?

There has been a lot of stories in the media about physical gift cards being tampered with and then put back onto the shelves and the people doing the tampering using the codes to buy stuff.

Your sister should go to the store( if it was bought from one) and see if anything can be done.

As for Amazon taking this stance they must get thousands of customers complaining about this and why should they pay out with out investigating things 1st.

Also as you may be aware if you get a refund Amazon may close your account.

As for Amazon’s “investigation,” their email states they’ve looked into it but refuse to provide any details — instead, they claim the card was redeemed by someone in my family. I find that impossible to believe, as I’m the only person left in my family with my surname.

I don't think Amazon would just make that up. There clearly is a link on the Amazon systems between yourself and someone else that used the card. Quite rightly they can't disclose the actual information to yourself due to GDPR.

There is no ombudsman that covers Amazon. Consumer rights will be against Tesco, however they will contact Amazon who will defend it using that someone associated to your account has redeemed the voucher.

That leaves taking Tesco to small claims court. Potentially then Amazon might divulge to the court who redeemed it. Regardless, this would all have to be done by your sister as she is the consumer.

With respect, that’s quite a leap to make. Amazon have provided absolutely no evidence to support their claim — they’ve simply stated that “someone in my family” redeemed the card, without showing any proof, and are now hiding behind GDPR as a convenient shield. GDPR protects personal data, not unsubstantiated accusations.

The card in question was a physical gift card purchased from a Tesco store — nothing more. It has no link to me beyond the fact that I was the one attempting to redeem it. The claim that Amazon somehow knows it was used by a “family member” is, frankly, ridiculous and completely unprovable without any transparency on their part.

It’s not unreasonable to expect that a company the size of Amazon could properly investigate this type of fraud instead of throwing out boilerplate responses that effectively shift the blame onto innocent customers. The notion that “Amazon wouldn’t make it up” is naïve — they’re simply avoiding responsibility for an issue that’s been publicly reported multiple times: tampered gift cards being sold through legitimate retail channels.

I appreciate differing opinions, but let’s not confuse corporate silence with integrity.

No they didn't, they said 'close relative or acquaintance'. They don't need to provide the evidence to you due to GDPR as already explained. However it appears they DO have the evidence should it need to be disclosed to the police or courts.

Bascially, somone you know has diddled you out of a gift voucher and you're blaming Amazon.

That’s quite an accusation to make without a shred of proof. You’ve no idea who I know, and neither does Amazon. They’ve refused to provide any evidence — not even the date or time — so for you to confidently claim “someone I know diddled me” is pure speculation.

Amazon’s vague wording (“close relative or acquaintance”) is a convenient way to shift blame without substantiation. If they truly had evidence of misuse, they’d be required to provide it to law enforcement — not hide behind GDPR when challenged by the victim.

Let’s be clear: the issue here is not “someone I know,” it’s the well-documented problem of tampered physical gift cards being sold through legitimate retailers like Tesco. That’s what both Tesco and Amazon should be investigating — not unfounded personal theories from strangers on a forum.

I would say the vast majority of complaints that come into amazon about gift vouchers wouldn't have the sort of family or close acquaintance attribute in their response...usually they just tell you they can't help - the fact they have said it is very relevant - and means your case isn't another tampered default case.

It could be for example... Someone on your wifi, someone on your amazon prime share (if you do), someone in your address book you have had stuff delivered to previously etc.

bazza2000_2

powerful_Rogue said:

bazza2000_2 said:

Boohoo said:

How was the card bought and from where?

There has been a lot of stories in the media about physical gift cards being tampered with and then put back onto the shelves and the people doing the tampering using the codes to buy stuff.

Your sister should go to the store( if it was bought from one) and see if anything can be done.

As for Amazon taking this stance they must get thousands of customers complaining about this and why should they pay out with out investigating things 1st.

Also as you may be aware if you get a refund Amazon may close your account.

As for Amazon’s “investigation,” their email states they’ve looked into it but refuse to provide any details — instead, they claim the card was redeemed by someone in my family. I find that impossible to believe, as I’m the only person left in my family with my surname.

I don't think Amazon would just make that up. There clearly is a link on the Amazon systems between yourself and someone else that used the card. Quite rightly they can't disclose the actual information to yourself due to GDPR.

There is no ombudsman that covers Amazon. Consumer rights will be against Tesco, however they will contact Amazon who will defend it using that someone associated to your account has redeemed the voucher.

That leaves taking Tesco to small claims court. Potentially then Amazon might divulge to the court who redeemed it. Regardless, this would all have to be done by your sister as she is the consumer.

That’s a pretty dismissive assumption to make. There is no “link” to my account — I’ve never redeemed or even attempted to redeem the card because the code was unreadable from the moment I received it. My sister bought it, wrote in the card, and handed it to me a few hours later. No one else ever had access to it.

So unless Amazon are now accusing my wife of secretly scratching and redeeming a gift card she never even touched, their claim is absurd. The issue is that the code was damaged or tampered with before sale, not that anyone in my family used it.

That said, I find it quite disheartening how many responses here seem heavily weighted toward assuming that I, or someone close to me, must be at fault — while treating Amazon’s word as unquestionable fact. It’s disappointing to see so little balance or critical thought when a customer raises a legitimate concern.

For context, the MoneySavingExpert community was created to empower consumers — to help ordinary people understand their rights, challenge unfair treatment, and hold large companies to account. It’s concerning to see a shift away from that purpose, where discussions appear to defend global conglomerates rather than support those trying to resolve genuine consumer issues. Perhaps a little re-education on why this forum exists would help remind us all what “consumer advocacy” actually means.

sheramber

You have been advised you have no consumer rights regarding the gift card

Your  Sister has consumer rights against Tesco and can issue a LBA to them and proceed to court if  she wishes to do that. 

This forum is not for the purpose of giving a poster the answer they want to hear. 

born_again

bazza2000_2 said:

For context, the MoneySavingExpert community was created to empower consumers — to help ordinary people understand their rights, challenge unfair treatment, and hold large companies to account. It’s concerning to see a shift away from that purpose, where discussions appear to defend global conglomerates rather than support those trying to resolve genuine consumer issues. Perhaps a little re-education on why this forum exists would help remind us all what “consumer advocacy” actually means.

Please take a step back. 
We are here to help & provide correct information.
We could all agree with you 100%, but that would not be "consumer advocacy”, or helpful to you in anyway.
Nothing Amazon have done wrong here. A gift card has been purchased & redeemed. Now someone else claims it is their card (no offence intended) If you were a retailer, what would you do?

While we get you have lost a unknown amount, Consumer rights are with who bought the card. Amazon can not provide them with details of the 3rd party who used the card. Odds on police will not be interested in it. Going money claim route will not get Amazon to provide their details.
Fraudster has exactly the same rights under GDPR as you do. Not happy about that take it up with your MP.

Amazon might work with 3rd party retailers to educate sellers staff to check the cards have not been tampered with before they activate them, nothing more they can do. Other than that nothing Amazon can do other than stop 3rd parties selling them. But then they may fall foul of consumer regulations by blocking other retailers selling them 🤷‍♀️