Vanilla Gift Cards
Reviews and Complaints

I bought a vanilla gift card on the 30th of April. It was going just fine, for the most part. Until yesterday. The site was down, as well, yesterday. Today I was able to check my balance, only to see my card is on hold. Talked to someone and was told a case needs to be opened, and that I need to send pics of the front and back of the card, along with a pic of the receipt and my state ID. Gmail isn't working, to send attachments. Not logged into any other email accounts, on the phone I took the pics with. Called back, to see if there is any other way to send the pics. Nope. None that I can do, anyway. I was told I was at a phishing website, but I sure as heck wasn't. Why can't they just let me say if I want this looked into? And, just cancel the current card, if they think there's an issue, and just send me a replacement? I will never get a vanilla gift card, again.

I received a vanilla gift card from walmart for 100$ from my dad. I added it in my wallet on my walmart app made a 32.00 purchase for the last delivery of the day and it went thru. 5 mins later the delivery order canceled for suspicion of fraudulent activity. Contacted walmart, response was to try again in 45 mins. Did it again. Charged twice, no delivery, called visa, won't take off pending, won't do [censored] and have to wait 7 days for a possibility that walmart doesn't change their minds and charge me. Next transaction placed was for amazon 30 day trial. Get a msg from amazon card was declined. Call visa, amazon charges 1.25 and 1.95 two different amounts two different times both declined on amazons end yet goes thru on visas end. Still no 30 days of amazon prime. Still deducted from the 100$. Asked visa why they're so eager to take but not lifting a finger to give back, for the 3 rd time I was given the [censored] answer of due to rules and regulations ma'am, we can not do nothing. Okay look mutha effers I now see on here and other places that using the visa vanilla gift card option is like getting with a well known abuser, being abused by them and then going back to them in hopes for change only to be abused again or waking up left for dead somewhere in a pile of used nine inch rusty [censored] drug needles. So let this be a warning to anyone who reads this... [censored] you visa for being so vanilla, grow up, be nice and go get help. This is 2023 and bullying is unnecessary, uncalled for and so out of style. You owe a lot of people money and yet what happens? The rich get richer and the poor get asstroids. Not cool man so not cool. Your killing me smalls.

In an unrelated unsuccessful scam I purchased three Vanilla gift cards for 500.00 each.

On Monday April 24 I decided to call the customer service number on the printed insert that came with the card to have the card cancelled and get a refund. I got a male member who took my request and said he would get me to the refund department, and I was switched to another male who took my information as well as the three card numbers and pins (seemed reasonable) and told me the cards would have to be checked and he would call me back the next day and I would need my computer available to fill out a form.

Tuesday April 25 the customer service rep called me and requested photos of the three cards, front and back, with the receipts. We then attempted to install two different computer programs (AnyDesk and TeamViewer) so I could supposedly fill out a form. He was clumsy and could not get them to work and had me open notes and make a form. He said he was running out of time, and would have to have Visa call me.

A male called me who told me he was with Visa and would get my money transferred. We then proceeded to connect my computer with his using TeamViewer and I logged in to my bank account, I initiated a transfer for 1500.00 BUT I was led to believe the amount transferred was 15000.00. This male told me he tried to stop the transfer but was too late and we would have to get the money back to Visa another way. He had me running around for two days buying gift cards and giving him the numbers, pins, and photos so he could cash the money back to Visa.

Wednesday April 26 first thing in the morning he had me connect with him again and log in to my bank account and showed me the 15000.00 deposit to my account (not real I discovered) as a way of proving he was real. This is how he kept me believing he was truthful. He didn't want me logging in to my account except thru him because he said it would lock up my account. (He didn't want me to find out he was lying and manipulating my accounts while he was connected). All told I have lost 17,500.00 and now have credit card debt I did not have before.

Thursday April 27 in the morning I discovered the truth of what happened and I had lost much of my money in the bank. I am now having to change all my account usernames and passwords for everything I have online.

I purchased a $200 Vanilla Card on February 17, 2023 I tried to Activate it at a local gas station and it was declined.I contacted customer service and gave them the card info and they checked it and said I would be issued another card with the $200 refund.Told me it would be mailed to my home address within 7-10 days after not receiving it I contacted them again and they told me the same thing.They have done this 5 times and I still haven't gotten my refund back.They keep telling me it's lost in the mail which I feel is not true 5 times is not lost in the mail they are just refusing to refund my money.

Hello, I contacted customer service and was waiting for over 30 mins to get connected. My gift card was considered compromised and unable to be used. It's been over a month I can't use this card. I spoke with a representative that supposedly requested a replacement card for me over the mail. Never received the card I have no other contact method available. Original contact date 03/12/2023.

I was recently scammed out of $2000.00 by some thieves in India. They had me buy Vanilla Gift cards and give them the numbers and codes. It is a really complicated scam and the end result was that I $2000.00. Luckly of the 7 Vanillas I bought for $500.00 each only 3 were valid and honored. I have been trying to get my other $2000.00 back from Visa and have been getting the runaround for over a month. When I call the number to report I have to wait for customer support for an hour or more. Once I do get through, the rep. tells me that the case is still under review and to wait 4 or 5 days and they will contact me. NO repeat, NO contact has ever been made in over a month. How do I get any response from this company. The government should do something about this. It is just another kind of scam on the people.

I purchased a $140 vanilla gift card to use online and everywhere I tried to use it said I needed a zip code. I went to put a zip code on my card on their website and it said there was a problem with my card. I called customer service and they were no help at all in unlocking my card. I have purchased a vanilla gift card before and had no problem putting a zip code on the card on their website and she said that you can’t attach a zip code to the card, even though I have done it previously before. She said I had to get a new card which would take 7-10 business days, so I asked for a refund which she said would take 3 weeks and I had to send in documentation to verify my address. Such a hassle and waste of time and who knows when I’ll actually get my refund. DO NOT PURCHASE A VANILLA GIFT CARD, unless you want something to go wrong.

I purchased a $500 vanilla prepaid gift card from Walmart with the actual receipt as a wedding gift. As soon as we reach home and give the gift, the person who received said this card says this card is invalid.
I visited the website, I called the numbers mentioned on back of card, I called Mastercard, none of the companies even bothered to check why the card became invalid and just hang up the call.
Worst customer service, definitely a scam.
Do not buy or purchase any of these products by vanilla prepaid, people's trust company or MasterCard.

THIS COMPANY IS SCAMMING PEOPLE!

Purchased $25,000 yes $25,000 of gift cards to give out over holidays. Gave out about half the cards and stored the rest for next year. In January had multiple people call saying the cards we gave out had no money on them. WOW how could that happen. Turns out we had five cards that already had purchases on them before we gave them out. I called in January and got case numbers that would be resolved in 8 weeks. Well its April and i can read a calendar. I then had someone check the remaining cards we didnt give out. Sure enough another 10 cards were compromised. Called their support and talked to Paya a manager. I made spread sheet and wanted to send her. She said their policy doesnt allow. I said does your policy allow you to send out frauded cards? I think not. Keep in mind i waited 1-1/2 hours on phone to get someone. Paya said policy was to make case number for each card. I said let me just send you spreadsheet and figure it out and call me back. NOT OUR POLICY PAYA SAID. SHE WAS VERY RUDE AND SAID DO YOU WANT TO RESOLVE YOU HAVE TO STAY ON PHONE. i said here is my number and have someone upper level management call me. You can tell by the charges logged against the frauded cards someone clearly has access to the card numbers and pin. So BEWARE there is some kind of scam or breech of data within this company. I would think that would be a priority along with making me whole. I guess not.

I want to get the balance on my vanilla gift card . I have tried online with no success and I tried calling the number given. When I called, I was asked questions to get to customer service which were correct, but they said were incorrect. Not only have I wasted valuable time, but I STILL don’t know the balance! I definitely would think twice before purchasing their card. Has anyone else run across the same problem?

I have put in at least 6 disputes since October 3 rd 2022. Someone else used my 500.00 dollar vanilla gift card before I received it. Please will someone help me with my situation. My dispute number is [protected]. Vanilla visa gift card number is [protected], security code number is 230. I just want my 500.00 dollar vanilla visa gift card delivered to me. My address is 1301 w Whitestone blvd apt 139 Cedar park Texas 78613.please send my 500.00 dollar vanilla visa gift card for myself. T was for me ,not the person who stolen it from me. Thank you mrs knapp.

The gift card although it says can be used anywhere we’re accepts Mastercard this is wrong. I have been unable to find a store that accepts it. Even the store it was purchased from Sainsbury’s does not accept it. It was bought as a birthday present for £50 and I am unable to use it anywhere. Surely this company should be struck off if they are selling something that can’t be used.

I purchased a total of three Vanilla Visa Egift cards at one time online through walmart.com. One for $200.00, $100.00, and $25.00. Both the $200.00 and $25.00 one worked fine. When I went to use the $100.00 one, it kept stating that the address was invalid. I double checked to make sure I had put my address in correctly, I also checked the balance.vanillagift.com/#/manageCard website. The card was active and valid. It still kept being declined and then was put On Hold status. This has happened previously with another card for the same issue. I called, and they reactivated the card. This time, the supposedly Supervisor is stating I am to send a picture of my ID, my address, proof of purchase and all really unnecessary information that only someone who would be doing fraud themselves would request. I cannot get this card reactivate through Walmart, nor, through the representatives at the [protected]. Not only that they are very rude, don't tell you anything after almost an hour on hold other then, I'm not trained in this type of card, I need to transfer your to someone who is, then put you back on hold for another 30 minutes to an hour. This is ridiculous. Some people depend on these cards when they purchase them to pay bills and other things, including online purchases.

I have tried several different ways to use two different Vanilla Gift cards and was told to use it as a credit and it still gets declined. I activated both cards and have the amount on each and still can not use them in stores , restaurants or online . Can not use it as a Debit either they are totally useless. Customer service is awful stayed on hold for over 30 minutes each time I called never reached anyone .

I received a $100 Vanilla Visa Gift Card for Christmas and when I opened it, the card was stuck to the packaging. The magnetic strip is damaged and half the card number is missing. Also, the security code is illegible due to the hardened adhesive used to package the card.

I tried to exchange it where it was purchased (I have the gift receipt) but they told me I’d have to reach out to the company that issued the card. I’ve called the customer service number on the back of my card and visited VanillaGift.com to request a replacement card but am unable to reach a live person or find a way to replace the damaged card online.

I purchased an vanilla ecard and made one small purchase . Vanilla visa then cancelled the card. This was Feb 6 2023. I have followed up up and up. This company is a rio off. I received email that I would receive replacement 7 to 14 days business days and it's been way more than that. I even reached out to the site on Facebook. Calls to customer service. The wait times. Near one hour. This has not been resolved. I want immediate assistance now I have waited long enough

I was given a Vanilla gift card for Christmas in12/2022. Went to use it and the money was gone. filed Dispute claim, took 45 days and received a replacement card in the mail. Went to use replacement card; money was not on card. waited for over an hour on phone for customer service; was being transferred to a manager; and imagine that, call was disconnected. this company is a scam and it sickens me to think of the amount of people they are jilting out of their money. I wonder if anyone has ever had a good experience with this comapny.

I purchased 3 $25 Vanilla prepaid cards on the 10th of March they come in 1 package 3 $25 cards To get home and they were not working so finally on customer care told me to send in the receipt The purchase of the 3 $25 visas they come in one package so I send them the receipt while email them to the place that they told me to and I've called over 8 times still now today is a month later and still I paid cash money I sent in receipts I don't know what the problem why I don't have my money like this has happened to me more than once with this company My case number is [protected] my name is Anne Janet Keller

*Received a Vanilla Card ($25) as a gift last year

*Tried using it yesterday for the first time and surprised to note that it had only $2 available balance

* Checked latest 5 transaction online and totally unaware how this transactions carried out.

* Need to know this could have happened for what purpose was this transactions for as I have not used the card at all.

My son received a vanilla gift card for his birthday on April 1, 2023.

We were given the receipt of purchase and everything for proof of purchase.

Activated the card at 3:54 pm April 7, 2023 and when we went to use it at 4:45 pm it wouldn't work so we called the 1833 number again to double check and it stated there was only an 80 cent balance! We tried to call customer service and were on hold for 19 minutes then hung up on! Called back and still on hold.