Ugh...I'm pretty sure the back part was scratched off because my daughter had to do that when she called to check if there was anything on the card. I didn't know the card # was on the receipt so I'm going to look.
If we read this right...your pretty sure the back of the card was already scratched off before you used it?
If this is the case...this is a major scam going on.
These low life people go to the store where the gift cards are hanging in a rack ( just like target) they write down the card number or take a photo
Scratch the code are off and record that information and just leave the card hanging on the rack in the store.
At some point someone comes along to buy said card...and this Thief just goes online to check the cards balance time to time. When some buys the card and it's activated it will show a balance online...then they use the card details to buy online. Majority of the time they have already spent the cards full amount...before you even think about using the card. As most people buy gift card don't use them for sometime after purchasing them. Even more so if they buy them for a gift and give th cards to another party. As they will keep the card for some time before using it
This is why some stores are taking gift cards off the retail floor space. And placing theme behind a cashier or customer service desks...or in locked cases.
Most big box stores are refusing to do this...as retail researches have shown when the cards are taken off the floor or check out lines. The sales of gift cards plummets by several hundred percent.
Always check your cards when buying them and make sure the foil is not scratched off.
FYI there are a number if gift cards that don't have the added protection if the scratch off code. Naturally,mothered scam artist target these cards as well...as there is no way for the consumer buying them to know that they have been skimmed. The scratch off kind is easy...as the code will already be scratched off...which alerts a savvy buyer that something is not right.
There is another more sophisticated scam going on with gift cards. But this does not affect anyone buying a card that has already had its balanced depleted.
And I'm not sure if a public form is the right place to post those details.
The above is already questionable.
Long story short be sure to check all your gift cards before buying them. If you even suspect any tampering..get another card
As once the card is activated and loaded with funds..those funds spent...you can never get your money back. As the card company shows that the gift card was used to make a purr base...and it's rather difficult to prove you did not make those purchases. (If someone stole the cards information ore purchase)