Vanilla Gift Cards
Reviews and Complaints

Vanilla Gift Card

This card was given to me as a gift. I activated gift card and I have been using the card with no issues. On July 21,2023 my payment was declined. I looked online and it showed 4 transactions going to a person's PayPal account. All the transactions were on for 4/14 @9:01. I reported the theft within the required window. The transaction dispute department declined to refund my funds on 8/16/23. They gave no explanation. DISPUTE_CASE_[protected]

I had a few refunds from online that were refunded to my card but never received the money from vanilla! They fight me on support saying it's was never refunded. Google as well as the company say it was vanilla has my money. They denied they took my money. I have all the screenshots, emails and paperwork to prove my statement is true and accurate. Supervisor just laughs and hangs up or leaves you on hold until it disconnects. Why does vanilla think they can keep my money? Is it legal?

Today, on August 22, 2023 at 4:30 I tried to call the number on the back of my gift card and it kept saying invalid card number and invalid security code when I’m clearly putting it in as I see it. Then I ask to speak to costumer service and I waited for 10 minutes the first time and then hung up and called back. I then waited another 20. Nothing solved. It irritates me when I’m trying to purchase something with a gift card but cannot get ahold of anyone to help me with the issue. I also tried using the online and it kept saying there was an error with the website.

I purchased a $25 electronic gift card on August 22, 2023, and it was supposed to be delivered to a colleague. The order went through, and my card was charged without any issues (see screenshot). However, when the recipient tried to view or print the gift card, they were taken to a blank page (see recording).

I have tried to get in touch with customer support at Vanilla, but nobody seems to be answering the phone. This lack of response is incredibly unprofessional and only adds to my frustration. I need to know what is going on with this gift card, and I need answers now.

On 6/4/23 bought a vanilla gift card for 500$

It has no 3 digit code on back and can’t be activated…company will not reimburse me and has been lying to me about a so called resolution since 6/26/23 after many hours of waiting on hold to speak to manager…I had to resort to hiring an attorney to get my 500$ back from this Vanilla card come who are Thieves and Liars…..

I’m a single mom of 3 kids, I had to put my money on a Visa in order to pay my car payment. After I put the money on the card it’s been one problem after another. I wasn’t able to make my payment so I reached out to customer service, waited 45 minutes to be told it won’t work online but only in person. So, I couldn’t pay my car payment because I can’t take money off of the card. I tried to use it in person and it declined so I called again and was told they turned my card off because they’re all extremely sensitive and become locked easily. They said all I could do is wait 7-10 business days for a replacement card. I can’t wait that long. I have $280.00 on the card and at least need to have my money to feed my children. We don’t have anyone to help us and that money is all I have. Im extremely upset because im being treated like a number. No one cares and that’s just horrible. I don’t know what we’re going to do.

I called Vanilla Gift CS and spoke with a person who sounded like an AI robot. Repeating the same thing over and over. I emailed the info requested 4 times, receipt, card front and back. No response. Called after trying a multitude of Customer Service numbers listed on the internet before finding an actual number that worked. Rep sounded as if she was reading off a computer screen. Could not answer a question directly. Said the same thing over and over and over. An exercise in sheer frustration

Called August 11 and was told replacement posted August 2 and it could take 5 to 15 business days to arrive. 17 days later, still no replacement. Called today August 17 and was told no replacement has been posted as THEY NEEDED TO VERIFY MY ADDRESS (which they did each and every time I called). And now I am told it can take 30 days for processing... it can take 30 days for processing. 30 days from now will be 4 months I will have waited for a replacement. Story changes with each call

Vanilla Gift motto should be TOO BAD SO SAD SUCKS TO BE YOU

How can this place be allowed to behave in this manner?

I purchased a Vanilla Visa gift card from a local Walgreens back in April but the card came defective. There were only 12 instead of 16 numbers on the front like a regular card would have.

There was no way to use it or to check the balance or anything. Walgreens refused to replace it with a new one and told me to call customer service.

It was a nightmare just to get someone on the line and after a very long hold time I was finally able to get someone after pressing “card lost or stolen”. They asked a lot of questions and had me email pictures of the card, packaging, and receipt and gave me a case ID number.

They told me it would take 30 business days for them to “investigate” what was wrong with the card.

We are now in August, I have been calling every 3 days after those 30 business days were up and keep getting told the same thing: “ Your case is still under investigation. We are so sorry this is happening to you and please don’t worry. Your case has been escalated and please call us back in 24-36 hours”.

It is beyond me that they are not able to just replace the defective card! So frustrating, especially since it wasn’t purchased for a small amount.

Anyone have any idea what else can be done to expedite this?

My daughters each got a $50 Vanilla Visa Debit Card for their birthdays in July 2023. When I tried to use them on Amazon, they were declined. I go to the Vanilla Gift website and there's no chat or person to talk to. A phone number with a recording is all you get, and they say if your card is declined for no reason at an online retailer, try a different online retailer or use it in person. I don't order from any other stores online, and whenever I try to use one of these in person in the past, it gets declined and I end up having to pay for things I never would have bought if I didn't;t have a gift card. Once you give your money for one of these cards, you're out of luck if it doesn't work. You have no recourse. I want in on the inevitable class action lawsuit.

I opened my $500 gift card to use to make a purchase in-store. The card was declined! After 30 calls to custoner service I get a person who would not listen and couldnt understand English. I asked for suoervisor. After 28min I hung up and called back. This agent told me there was a $500 hold on the card. However he could not tell me ANYTHING about the transaction. Not the time, place or even what the purchase was for. SO MUCH FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE! GUESS VANILLA GIFT COULD CARE LESS ABOUT MY INCONVEINENCE.

This card was given to my family as a gift. On August 14, 2023, I activated gift card. As soon as card activated, I check balance. Money was there. Several hours later, as I was out shopping, I tried to use card. It was declined. Checked online site to see what the problem was, and the money was gone. I called Vanilla Gift Card customer service. Had to wait 1 1/2 hour to get some one on the phone. They claimed I made a online transaction. I did not. Never heard of the merchant which is based in California. I live in Georgia. They claimed that the charge is pending. I asked if it is pending, why not reject it now. They are wanting me to wait 45 days until they clear this up. I just think they want you to forget about the fraud. They make it difficult for you to get your funds returned.

Around 2 weeks after I bought this card, a random $100.00 purchase was charged from the gift card without my knowledge. The information was not leaked or stolen to anyone on my behalf. This purchase was exactly $100.00 and it was spent on Amazon, I was not notified of this charge and now I have to wait at least 3 months to receive the sum owed to me, a sum that was taken from me unauthorized. Just for using Vanilla Gift Cards, I now have to wait months just to be able to use my money.

I received the card and went to use it and it said declined. Went in the store to use it because I had just checked my balance at the gas pump and there was 50.00. It was declined at the pump and inside. Now there is a hold on my money, and they will not release the money back to the card. It was for gas to get back to college and now I have no way to get there, and classes start in the morning. Sorry customers service. So now I'm having to walk 86 miles by 9am to get to campus. Sorry, sorry, sorry company.

my son purchased a vanilla gift card at Walgreens at 48021 Gratiot Ave, Eastpointe, Mi 48021

he opened it before leaving the store after purchase and learned the security code was missing. He tried using it in a store and it turns out the strip is also too scratched up to scan. ..

The purchase of the card was on 8/11/2023 at 5:34 pm

store #04795

He bought this card to pay for his game on Steam. He's autistic and gaming is his only hobby this issue has him extremely agitated cause he worked hard to earn the money for this card and now he can't get his game and he's broke.

I purchased a VisaVanilla gift card @Walgreens for a purchase I made on Ebay @10:16pm 8/12/23 for a purchase I made on Ebay for $276.08. It is now 2:am 8/13/23 & card has been declined @least15 times as it can't be verified it belongs to me, yet even though I have an account w/ Vanilla Visa gift card services, it will not allow me to register it in my name although it shows I have a balance of $289.00. No way can I register it to my Pay Pal account nor my Ebay vault. Keeps telling me on both sites they can't verify it's me, therefore it is useless. I am so very angry & upset as $289.00 I worked hard for is gone, along w/the good standing I have had w/ Ebay for over 13 years. I am so physically sick over this. Customer service is basically non-existent, telling me I have to take it up w/bank that issued this & of course, can't contact anyone although customer service is supposed to be 24/7. Devastated on 3 levels!

I purchased a Vanilla Gift card at Fry's Food Marketplace on 2724 S Signal Butte Rd, Mesa, AZ 85209 for my granddaughter for her graduation. It doesn't work. She's tried it at different places, including a Fry's store and they told her something was wrong with the card. She then called Vanilla Gift card and they told her there was a hold on the card. I've tried using the card also and it doesn't work anywhere, not even online. I attached a copy of the card and receipt where I purchased it. Thank you

I was given a Vanillagift card from my granddaughter for Mothers Day. So far, I've tried calling, etc. #'s DON'T WORK & nobody EVER answers!

There's NO way I can even establish CONTACT with this company and it's BAD practice (or is it another SCAM?)

I have been able to learn the card DOES have $ on it, but can't use ANYWHERE, because I've tried at stores, gas stations AND on Amazon...ZIP! DOESN'T WORK ANYWHERE!

Hello, I purchased a $100 vanilla card in-store Rite-Aid store # 11208 on June 10th 2023 with card ending in 5051 exp 05/24 and it was used before I could go on vacation or even open it. Someone charged $60 of the $100 I called vanilla they immediately closed card. I submitted my receipt, info etc I still have yet to hear from them. They essentially stole $100 from me.

We purchased a $100 Vanilla Visa Gift Card from a local Walgreens pharmacy for a gift May 27, 2023. 4 digits of the front of the card completely scratched off, and NO CVC code on the back of the $100 Visa Gift Card. We opened a case with Vanilla Gift Card, June 2, 2023. I read the numbers on the back of the card to their customer care person, they showed the $100 was still showing on the card, that they would send us a replacement card within 30 days, they gave me an email address to send a photo copy of the front and back of my driver's license, a copy of the front and back of their Vanilla Visa Gift card, along with the gift receipt, and the store it was purchased at, the store address, phone, my address and my phone, and include the case number. It is now August 8, 2023, we have called MULTIPLE times, sometimes on hold for almost an hour, or on hold for anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes and the call is disconnected, and we still no replacement card, Walgreens does not refund, You pay $5.95 for a Vanilla Visa Gift Card to be activated, plus the $100, and it is over 2 months, and still NO REPLACEMENT card.

I am a customer of Vanilla services. I had the opportunity to speak with their customer care representatives, with whom I discussed a matter.

During our conversation, I disclosed that I am currently facing a distressing incident that involves a fraudulent act. I fell victim to a scammer who cunningly impersonated my superior, leading me to unknowingly share sensitive information. Regrettably, this deception resulted in the unauthorized acquisition of three gift visa cards.

19th July, I received a message that appeared to be from my boss, instructing me to purchase three Visa gift cards, each valued at $200. The message requested that I share images of the cards, including the front and back, via MMS. Trusting the authenticity of the request, I complied and shared the requested information with the scammer unknowingly.

It was only later that I realized that I had fallen victim to a scam, and the message was not genuinely from my boss. I sincerely regret my oversight, and I understand the importance of safeguarding sensitive information.

Vanilla team said they will send me dispute form through email in 5 business days it's been 17 business days I've not received anything. Every call I do they increase time to 5 days. But I've never received anything till now.