Got Scammed and lost $1500 on Gumtree -_-"

LRNDM on 06/01/2020 - 22:09
Last edited 15/01/2020 - 11:35 by 1 other user

I thought I was being careful, but sadly not careful enough to account for the failures in lose implementation of JB Hifi's gift card policies.

  1. Had 3 x $500 gift cards from JB Hifi, from the promo in Dec last year
  2. Listed it here for a couple of weeks, no takers.
  3. So then I listed it on Gumtree.
  4. "James" contacts me, from ACT.
  5. Asks me "Do you have proof of balance picture? or receipts?"
  6. Not knowing any better, and assuming that a hidden "PIN" code is required to actually redeem these cards.
  7. I provided the card numbers, to allow him to check the balance on the cards.
    …
  8. James says he'll pay at the end of the day.
  9. I get messaged here on Ozbargain, snowymatthew, so I decide to allow them to pay instead.
  10. I receive payment, via PayId.
  11. I send copies of the unscratched cards, and then again with the card numbers and PIN codes revealed.
  12. Following day, snowymatthew tells me there's issues with the card.
  13. Since the PIN codes are all revealed now, I confirm the balance on the cards.
  14. Discover they've been redeemed in ACT.
  15. Blah blah … I'm %^&*
  16. Returned the money back to snowymatthew.

…

So, it looks like James has been able to convince someone at JB HiFi to redeem the cards, with the PIN codes, and without the physical cards. I checked the terms and conditions: https://www.jbhifi.com.au/pages/how-do-i-use-a-gift-card-to-…. "Redeeming in-store at JB Hi-Fi … The actual gift card MUST be presented.". From responses from various stores, staff are not "meant to" accept anything by the physical cards … there lies the issue.

The presence of the PIN code in this instance gives a false sense of security.

Even retracing all the steps taken, I don't think I could have foreseen this - other than "don't use Gumtree". So, I guess this is a warning to others, that the card numbers only are enough to redeem a gift card. Meaning there's no real way for a buyer to validate available credit, or for sellers to have any form of security over the gift cards. This to me, is easier than counterfeiting money and JB accepting it, at another customer's expense.

Expensive lesson, and usually careful with these things. But, aw well, not expecting such a positive outcome. If anything, it just ruined my day.

…

Since then;

  1. Left my details with the store to follow up
  2. Filed a report with ACSC
  3. Emailed JB Hifi, asking how and why cards can be redeemed by the card number only, without the physical card which is contrary to their terms.
  4. Contacted Gumtree seeking assistance.
  5. I asked James to pay, as agreed and I would cease the police report.

…

So yeah, great first day back at work. -_-" And now have to deal with the missus.

And not that it means much, but this is the lovely guy that benefited from this all. https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-seller/1170622367193

I really didn't like the idea of having $1.5K in gift cards lying around, just didn't feel secure. And it really had to happen.

Update: So, it would seem kinda useless at this point. But because of the way that I shared the photo with James, it shows an account of his.

(Mod: removed personal information - please see commenting guideline)

Key updates:
* By RNDM on 07/01/2020 - 14:35
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/8208345/redir
* By snowymatthew on 08/01/2020 - 16:47
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/8213127/redir
* By RNDM on 14/01/2020 - 13:30
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/8235494/redir
* By RNDM latest
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/8239312/redir

General Discussion

Related Stores

Gumtree
Gumtree
JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi

Comments

      • pongie on 08/01/2020 - 10:00
        +1

        We need a jb staff member at that store who would look up the info for you without police report.

        Anyone want to become a spy and apply to work there temporary?

        • Ghost47 on 09/01/2020 - 15:31

          Getting a job at JB Hi Fi to access security footage for someone on OzBargain, definitely going above and beyond!

      • ebbzuv on 08/01/2020 - 11:14

        I don't think the suspect actually used the card himself, instead sold it to someone else. Especially based on his Gumtree account history.

  • Top G on 08/01/2020 - 03:42
    -1

    1 rule of gumtree = cash im hand, physical only

    • RNDM on 08/01/2020 - 07:26
      +4

      I know that was the number 1 mistake, and sadly an awful time to have a moment of weakness.

      So, in hopes of preventing others from falling victim to this, I'm trying to make the best of a bad situation.

  • dheywood on 08/01/2020 - 08:14
    +1

    Based on James's seller history on Gumtree, I wouldn't be surprised if he was a JB employee.

  • cob993 on 08/01/2020 - 08:18

    JB Run 3 Types of Gift Cards, All 3 require the Pin to Use, and only the end user has access to the pin. Please email the support team on the back of the gift card for your issues and to sort this out. No-one at JB can redeem this card without the pin, and the pin is only recorded on the physical card and with the card issuer. The only other way to get the pin is to guess it via a check balance site 1000+ times with a bruteforce attempt. Emailing / Contacting the Card Issuer will mean an investigation can occur, also note that most gift cards in Australia are to be treated like cash, lost or stolen cards are not the liability of the store.

    • blackout134 on 08/01/2020 - 08:35
      +1

      You are incorrect based on my own experience of redeeming gift cards without the pin in store and many others who have commented also.

      • CodeXD on 08/01/2020 - 08:57

        Did you have the physical card with you in store? Sounds like they don't need pin if you use physical card

        • blackout134 on 08/01/2020 - 08:59

          Yeah always had the physical card in-store.

        • HighAndDry on 08/01/2020 - 09:09

          That might be store policy but technically it means the PIN isn't needed as the machine can't differentiate between a physical card and a "digital" card.

          • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 08/01/2020 - 09:12

            @HighAndDry: I used $1000 worth of eGift Cards at JB Hi-Fi last year they required the card number and pin however they didn’t take my ID at all, surprisingly.

          • CodeXD on 08/01/2020 - 10:00

            @HighAndDry: What I'm saying is if you have the physical card with you in store, then you don't need the pin for purchase. However OP has the physical cards and somehow, someone was able to use it without the pin.

            It is unknown whether the gift card was used online or in store but what we do know is the person who used it does it physically have the card or pin.

            • HighAndDry on 08/01/2020 - 10:02

              @CodeXD:

              if you have the physical card with you in store, then you don't need the pin for purchase.

              Yeah, but only as store policy (soft limitation) not a technical requirement (hard limitation). That means employees can willingly or be socially engineered into bypassing it.

            • wyrmy on 08/01/2020 - 19:24

              @CodeXD: Every payment terminal I've seen allows for manual card number entry. The last thing a retailer wants is a lost sale on the day because the swipe system didn't work or the strip was damaged.

              Like HighAndDry said there is technically nothing stopping an operator from entering a number without a physical card if a pin is not mandatory. Which appears to be the case based on others observations.

    • Fredfloresjr on 08/01/2020 - 09:18
      +1

      wrong. They never asked PIN when I used mine last xmas.

    • RNDM on 08/01/2020 - 09:22
      +1

      I don't want to pretend to know anything about JB Hifi's internal systems, but don't care what special features they have implemented.

      From the comments, it does appear e-gift cards and physical gift cards are considered different products, at least policy-wise.

      Logically, you'd expect or at least be under the impression that there are "some" (if any) levels of controls in place when you have PIN codes and terms and conditions and staff advising physical card requirements.

      This situation is just highlighting the inconsistencies and confusion this causes and is just simply asking for trouble.

  • mavis30551 on 08/01/2020 - 08:39
    +2

    looking at James history, he definately looks like he works there and is stealing stuff to sell.

    Hell try calling the store and asking which employee redeemeded them

    He may be redeeming them at his own store as an employee if he's stupid enough.
    Surely he changed his name though.

    • jorf on 08/01/2020 - 08:56
      +3

      I think you guys are reading too much into this.

      He's probably not an employee - just someone who realised that when they scan gift code barcodes in store, they don't enter the pin.

      So then it's very simple to just ask people selling second-hand gift cards for the numbers (as per OP's first post), then create a barcode using a generator or even just an app like Stocard, walk into the store, buy stuff to resell.

      As mentioned earlier, using the same method, you could just copy the numbers off a bunch of unsold gift cards, then take your luck at using them a few days later.

      It's JB's fault for implementing a system that allows pinless giftcard redemption, which as a sysdev myself (or just as someone with a brain) is beyond me why anyone would have thought that was a good idea.

      Why you would risk selling gift cards to randoms is also beyond me.

      • lainey13 on 08/01/2020 - 10:53

        That theory wasn't just based on this, the James seller history on Gumtree included high value items sold new that are also sold by JB.

        • jorf on 08/01/2020 - 11:11
          +6

          Yes. Because he's using stolen gift cards to buy and resell items, not because he's directly stealing them from the store. He doesn't need to be an employee to pull this off - anyone could do it.

  • slow on 08/01/2020 - 08:42
    +4

    Haven't read the whole thread. But maybe you could wait for him to list something else on gumtree, and then use some social engineering to make contact with him and find out some more about him and screw up his life.

    • lechuck123 on 08/01/2020 - 10:04
      +1

      He's probably received hundreds of messages from ozbargainers by now trying to suss him out, so if he's smart enough, he'll create a new gumtree account.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/01/2020 - 10:24
    -3

    You will get your money back through JB Hifi for sure but the process might take some time. I once chased an eBay scammer on the internet for a fraud of $1500 but let me tell you the govt. authorities do not react fast as it took months for them tell me the case is now open. By that time both eBay and Paypal shut their doors on me but I was able to find the fraudster on the internet.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2020 - 07:46
      -7

      why voting down "C&nts"

  • CocaKoala on 08/01/2020 - 10:33

    I'm terribly sorry about your situation. :-(

    It might be harder to corner JB Hifi though. Because the cards are scratched now, how does JB Hifi know that you (or someone representing you) weren't the one who used the card at their ACT store?! I mean, it might be harder for you to prove that the card was redeemed without it having been physically present!

    A very expensive lesson, and even if JB Hifi fixed it for you, the mental trauma is simply not worth it. Gumtree has way too many scammers, and I've made it a point that I'll only do in-person, AND cash-only dealings with someone on gumtree. Because there are way too many unconscionable thieves in there.

    • RNDM on 08/01/2020 - 10:38

      Thank you for your concern, I'd say that I'm relatively okay at this point still. :-)

    • blackout134 on 08/01/2020 - 11:43
      +1

      Because all cash registers would have cameras on them. If the store wanted to they could easily look up the time of the transaction and view the camera footage of the transaction taking place. Then they would see that there was no physical card being used as OP still has the cards. Why would the store care when it was the OP being defrauded and not them (at this point anyway).

  • RNDM on 08/01/2020 - 10:37
    +43

    Morning update!

    I spent the morning drafting a summary email, to be sent to internal JB Hifi staff who investigate any instances of misconduct.

    But, just as I finished drafting the email, I received a call from JB Hifi head office requesting photos of the cards. So sending them off, and see how this plays out before involving others.

    • CocaKoala on 08/01/2020 - 10:42
      +3

      That's a relief. Hopefully they will sort it out for you. I'd encourage you to file a police complaint if not already done so they could track down the thief using CCTV footage. Because those elements are better behind bars.

    • sauce2k on 08/01/2020 - 11:25
      +8

      gluck mate. eff the haters saying u should have done this and that blah blah blah.. you are obviously aware of it.

      All the best, I really hope they can refund you the money.

      Tbh to accept $1.5k worth of gift cards without seeing them I'm not sure if JB staff did the right thing.

    • Pootie Tang on 08/01/2020 - 12:55
      +3

      I would say there is every chance that someone on the forum works for JB and probably escalated it internally as well with a link to the forum post. Good luck.

    • cwongtech on 09/01/2020 - 01:14
      +1

      To the O.P.

      JBHifi are supposed to be asking for Photo ID for purchases with gift cards over $500. This was done with regards to recent high fraudulent activity.

      A few weeks ago, I was asked to provide my drivers license when I purchased a Microsoft Surface Pro 7 with 49 x $50 (purchased in woolies for effective 9.4% off as it's 10% off in the form of WW reward points, stacking with 15% off promo at JBhifi)

      IF the JB cashier was doing their job properly at JB Hifi Woden, if the purchases are over $500, then they should have recorded some sort of drivers license.

      Either way, there is CCTV footage, and JB Hifi (since its the head office), should be able to match up the transaction times with the gift cards, to the person who redeemed your gift cards - Problem now lies whether the person who had redeemed your gift cards is the same "James" from Gumtree, or if it's a buyer who "bought a cheap gift card from gumtree".

      The redemption without a PIN is a huge flaw though.

  • poochi on 08/01/2020 - 12:57
    +3

    This sounds like the fault of JB-HiFi who have implemented such an exploitable system.

  • Fizzydrink on 08/01/2020 - 12:59

    is it possible that 'james' just happens to buy and sell lots of jb stuff, and snowy got the cards and pin you sent, used them to buy whatever in the act (sydney isnt THAT far) and then said they dont work?

    poor old james copping a hiding for nothing? ( or inadvertandly stumbled onto his crime ring)

    • sandshrew on 08/01/2020 - 13:24
      +1

      But what possibly plays against ‘James’ is OP hasn’t mentioned receiving another response from him.

      Communication didn’t seem to be a problem when the sale first started.

      • RNDM on 08/01/2020 - 13:26

        Yup. I have attempted to maintain contact with all parties involved in any way.

        And James continues to remain silent.

        • omgilia on 08/01/2020 - 13:57

          James will most likely ditch that gumtree account and burner number associated with it and lay low for a bit.

          RNDM what outcome would you like out of all this? Compensation from JB? James brought to justice? JB implement Coles/Woolies gift card system?

          If JB comes back and gives you a good gesture of $1500 will you be satisfied?

          • RNDM on 08/01/2020 - 14:16
            +1

            @omgilia: If they reimburse me, I will gratefully accept their offer. I wouldn't say that I would be satisfied though.

            Making changes to their systems and/or internal training is unlikely to occur overnight, but it would nice to know that there is an acknowledgment of an issue and some degree of urgency to fix it.

            Or if it indeed is some internal misconduct, then at least some acknowledgment that there are some grounds for further investigation.

            All of the above are not unreasonable, but I won't be surprised with some sort of generic response like …

            Thank you for bringing this to our attention. After further investigation, we have found … blah blah … The JB Gift Cards have already been redeemed. It's unfortunate … blah blah …

            If I get a response like this, then I'll make more noise.

            • Danstar on 08/01/2020 - 14:34
              -1

              @RNDM: If they reimburse they would be setting a dangerous precedent on getting every Tom, Dick and Harry coming forward their GC's were fraudulently redeemed.

              • JimmyF on 08/01/2020 - 14:48
                +1

                @Danstar:

                coming forward their GC's were fraudulently redeemed

                Well maybe they shouldn't allow the GC system to be so easily to fraudulently redeem when you don't have the card or pin number.

              • omgitzrick on 08/01/2020 - 14:51
                +2

                @Danstar: Every Tom, Dick and Harry how has been ripped off in this manner SHOULD be reimbursed though.

                • Danstar on 08/01/2020 - 15:56

                  @omgitzrick: Pretty sure their T&Cs along with every virtual monies would say cannot be transferred to anyone else, voiding your rights.

                  It’s just an opinion. I hate gift cards, never buy them and if someone gives me one. I pass it onto my mum ASAP cos she’ll use it ASAP lol

                  • RNDM on 08/01/2020 - 18:44
                    +4

                    @Danstar: I'm just finding this a little funny, don't take it too seriously. If gift cards cannot be transferred, then another way of saying it, gift cards cannot be gifted. :-D

                    Just quickly looking over the terms, I didn't see any such condition.

                    • Danstar on 08/01/2020 - 20:04
                      -1

                      @RNDM: It does sound silly and I’ve seen it before. But I think it’s more to do with they cannot be on sold. So if anything, you should’ve lied and just gone back to JB where you got them from and said they didn’t work. Get a stat. Dec. declaring you were in state and not in Canberra at the time the cards were redeemed …

                    • johno3456 on 09/01/2020 - 18:18
                      +1

                      @RNDM: Gifting is not selling, there is a clause regarding not exchanging them for cash. I expect JB does not want to encourage the resale of gift cards, particularly those given out by way of promotions or purchased at a discount.

            • blackout134 on 08/01/2020 - 15:34
              +1

              @RNDM: I hope you get reimbursed as their policy of not needing pin numbers is ridiculous. However, their terms and conditions state:

              "11. JB Hi-Fi is not liable for any lost/stolen Gift Cards. Please contact a JB Hi-Fi store immediately if your Gift Card has been lost/stolen. Lost/stolen Gift Cards can only be replaced if satisfactory proof of purchase is provided and the Gift Card has not been redeemed."

              It's lovely how they protect themselves from fraud by only replacing unredeemed gift cards but don't even mandate something as simple as entering pin numbers instore to protect their customers.

              • RNDM on 08/01/2020 - 15:40
                +1

                @blackout134: The "cards" are not lost or stolen.

                But again, while it would be nice to be reimbursed, that's not the reason why this story continues.

                • blackout134 on 08/01/2020 - 15:44

                  @RNDM: I would consider them stolen as they have been redeemed and regardless of you having posession of them still, they hold no monetary value anymore.

                  • RNDM on 08/01/2020 - 15:49
                    +1

                    @blackout134: Literal sense … I wasn't being serious anyway - sorry if I wasn't being clear.

            • Pootie Tang on 09/01/2020 - 09:15
              -6

              @RNDM: You wouldn't be satisfied?

              As far as I am concerned, you are blaming the car for crashing.

              • RNDM on 09/01/2020 - 09:23

                @Pootie Tang: I’m not sure what your getting at, but I’ve said many times. I admit fault, I made a mistake. This situation exists because a number of mistakes played out. And from what we’ve discovered so far, it is not uncommon for others to be caught too, so I’m attempting to make the best of if.

                This isn’t really about who is to blame right now.

        • H E B on 08/01/2020 - 15:27

          And James continues to remain silent.

          What did you say to him? What if he thinks YOU are trying to scam him and he's being overly cautious and just ignoring all contact. Imagine if he was actually innocent and didn't think such a thing was possible (after all he did was make a enquiry, one that a reasonable person would consider making)… would it actually be a detriment to not respond?

          • RNDM on 08/01/2020 - 15:37
            +1

            @H E B: I said "Okay, so it looks like you have claimed all three of my cards. Could you please make payment for the cards as previously agreed."

            If this were not the case, I would expect a response denying the cards were claimed.

            • H E B on 08/01/2020 - 16:03

              @RNDM: You're probably right.

              But if someone messaged me with if it was such an outrageous accusation I probably would just ignore it. Everyone's different I get it, but that's the response that you would've got out from me if I was being honest.

              My gut thought would be gee this guy is crazy, I'm a bit worried about my personal safety and gumtree conversation over.

              Another possibility is he may have already blocked you on gumtree after the fact. Either way it doesn't look good and if that happened he does owe you a response.

              Maybe if you hit a wall try to reach out again after that with a softer approach to give him a chance to respond?

  • Buckshot on 08/01/2020 - 14:05
    +1

    Should be pretty simple no?
    JB can look at what time the cards were used, scrub through the CCTV footage to when the incident occurred at said JB store.
    Profit. Referred to police with a pic of his dopey face. Am I missing something? Other than JB keeping enough footage.

    • talismansa on 08/01/2020 - 16:09
      +3

      Someone stole a replacement credit card from my mailbox once.
      Went on a shopping spree spending about $500. Stopped at two different petrol stations and Liverpool Westfield.
      Was contacted by my bank's fraud team, and immediately cancelled the card.
      Filed a report with police and despite having all the timestamps of purchases in each of their stops which would've made them very easy to catch with CCTV footage, the police told us that they most likely won't follow up because $500 isn't worth their time.

      This is probably one of those cases too.

      • sauce2k on 08/01/2020 - 16:23

        except u got ur $ refunded. By the sound of it, the OP is not after criminal charges.

      • oO0Dam0Oo on 08/01/2020 - 17:02

        Problem is whilst $500 alone may not be significant, multiples of this amount are substantial. Anyone with the confidence to do it once will no doubt go on to commit what would be major fraud.

      • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 08/01/2020 - 18:55
        +1

        Wouldn’t the replacement card have to be activated before it can be used?

        • kiitos on 09/01/2020 - 14:15

          Maybe not for small purchases eg under$100?

        • talismansa on 10/01/2020 - 19:45
          +1

          That's what I thought. But all the purchases were under $100.
          And the kicker was I had to spend about 3 hours filing a report, going to a JP to declare that I didn't make these purchases, and sending in all these documents to my bank to get the refund.

          • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 10/01/2020 - 20:11

            @talismansa: May I ask which bank? Also every bank I have been with has required me to activate the card before I can make a purchase (even a $0.01 purchase still requires activation.)

  • snowymatthew on 08/01/2020 - 16:47
    +61

    Hi, I am snowymatthew, thank you very much OP for sharing what he has gone through so far and refunded me money I have paid for his three gift cards. I hope he can get his $1500.00 back.
    I posted $2300.00 JB Gift Cards needed on forum on 04/01/2019 to hope get better discount than I could get myself (5%) for my overseas visitor to buy iPhone 11 Pro. I got few PM with different amount and discount offered but RNDM’s offer was the one most closed to what I was after. So on Sunday 5th Jan, I accepted his offer and PM him my mobile number around 14:45pm so we could deal over the phone as I was going to Australian Meat Emporium in Alexandria to buy steak and I am a person more comfortable with text message than online chat. After I paid him with PayID, he confirmed our names ( as I was using joint account and my husband is the primary account holder) , I received first photo of three gift cards with only card number , pin not been scratched, then received second photo with pin been scratched few seconds later. I have bought few HN, eBay and JB eGift here before and always had very smooth transactions (only one of the eBay card had problem but the guy just sent me another one) so I never think to check the balance after I receive the cards.
    Next morning (6th of Jan) I went to JB MQ with my sister to buy the phone. After negotiated with the sales, I went to the cashier to pay, when I showed the photo copy of the gift cards, I had been told I had to present the actual cards to pay, they are not allowed to type in the card number and pin. I tried to negotiate saying they are the present from a relative in Brisbane but they still won’t let me redeem them. I rang OP straight away from the shop to tell him what was happened and if he could post them to me via express post on the same day after I pay the postage as I need the cards ASAP, cause JB MQ only can hold the phone for 24 hours (only 3 in stock). OP told me he was at work the cards not with him. So I said just post them to me as early as he could and I paid $13.00 postage via PayId while I was in the shop.
    After back home, I thought why not asking my Ozbargainers what to do to speed up the process so we can pay b4 24 hours expire ( OP can only post them out on 7th Jan, I would receive them 12midday on 8th) that was why you can see this post https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/510903
    After I read your input, I took the idea to convert them to eGift online, I texted OP what I was going to do and would inform him if I succeed then he didn’t need to post the cards to me as OP told me he was a little concerned with sending them in the mail.
    When I tried to pay the eGift with the cards OP sent to me online, I was shocked to see the first card had $51.00 left in balance, the second one was no funds available, and the third one was not valid. I sent screenshots to RNDM, he checked and saw the same thing. We both checked on JB’s website again and saw the two cards been redeemed in ACT Woden on 05/01/2020… The third one was invalid then OP found out later that one was redeemed in VIC (I found out from reading his post here).
    RNDM said to me that he had no way of confirming if I claimed it or not… I replied to him that I was in Sydney and the cards had been redeemed in ACT and JB MQ would not allowing me to redeem the cards without present the physical cards to the cashier…
    Then the OP told me that he gave the card number to someone on Gumtree b4 I paid him and didn’t give the pin to that person.
    I was surprised that the guy could redeem the cards without present the actual cards to the cashier in ACT Woden, he also had no pin… I really think JB should take the responsibly as their rules and conditions clearly states when you redeem a physical gift card, you need to present the actual card to the cashier to redeem , not allow to type in the card number and pin….
    Thank you very much for the OP to refund me the money as I always had confidence that he would refund me as he knows we were both innocent
    And thank you very much for member cheapfab and mkheav sold me JB egift cards after I received refund from RNDM so I was able to pick up the phone we left in JB MQ . When I was paying with the egift, I had been asked to provide my ID and JB staff photocopied my D/L because the eGifts I redeemed were greater than $500.00… Did this mean the Woden JB had recorded Gumtree Guy’s ID?
    I had close communication with RNDM from the start of the transaction. I have rang him to tell him what I have been through with JB MQ. I still think the Woden JB should be blamed as it allowed the guy from gumtree to redeem the cards without present the physical cards and the actual cards were in Brisbane…
    I know some of you think I was the culprit, I was with “James”, James and I were the same person … I don’t want to argue with any of you as I know “The wise man knows he knows nothing, the fool thinks he knows all”
    Sorry for my poorly written English

    Once again I hope RNDM can get his money back and we all learn something from his experience

    • RNDM on 08/01/2020 - 16:52
      +21

      Thanks for the thorough explanation - I was a bit lazy to write it all out.

      This is how the events played out.

    • Broke-Ken on 08/01/2020 - 17:27
      +25

      the first card had $51.00 left in balance

      $500.00 - $51.00 = $449.00, the same price of a Nintendo Switch at JB atm…..

      • batrarobin on 08/01/2020 - 18:23

        Will soon appear on Gumtree with a new account.

        • Melb69 on 11/01/2020 - 15:05

          James did already have a Switch on sale in October. James is the culprit. No sales since though as he is probably reading this and wondering how he can get around it now as it's stuffed up all the card sales on here now. No doubt new user on this site and any other.

    • batrarobin on 08/01/2020 - 17:45

      Going by the selling history of James on Gumtree, he seems to be very experienced with JB Hi-fi giftcards. But I still find it hard to believe that he managed to convince the staff to use in store without PIN numbers! Unless he knew a staff member or was an employee himself?

      ..or another theory could be that he used brute force to guess the PIN numbers? Is that even possible with reCAPTCHA applied?

      In any case, I am sorry to be in your position RNDM and really hope you get your money back.

      • jorf on 08/01/2020 - 18:41
        +4

        Read the thread. JB does not require PINs to be entered when using a gift card in-store. It's a huge security oversight (and that's being generous - stupidity is a better word).

        • batrarobin on 08/01/2020 - 18:42

          Crazy!

        • Melb69 on 11/01/2020 - 15:06

          Ridiculus

      • Buy2Much on 08/01/2020 - 18:56

        Could "James" have help from a JB staff onsite or works there himself?

    • Gnosh on 08/01/2020 - 18:35
      +3

      I was so hoping you were going to join this thread

      • ShanB on 09/01/2020 - 21:05
        +2

        I started searching for her comment as well.I hope RNDM gets his money back $1500 is a significant amount of money.

    • cwongtech on 09/01/2020 - 01:17

      When I was paying with the egift, I had been asked to provide my ID and JB staff photocopied my D/L because the eGifts I redeemed were greater than $500.00… Did this mean the Woden JB had recorded Gumtree Guy’s ID?

      Similar to my experience, I also had my D/L license photocopied. I get why they're doing it, I also hope they don't have a stack of drivers license photos not locked up safe. I'm fine with JBHifi having a copy of my ID since my gift cards are mine to redeem..

      I was also asked to provide my drivers license when I purchased a Microsoft Surface Pro 7 with 49 x $50 (purchased in woolies for effective 9.4% off as it's 10% off in the form of WW reward points, stacking with 15% off promo at JBhifi), this was a few weeks ago, and at JB Hifi Top Ryde.

  • harukinights on 08/01/2020 - 18:14
    +27

    I just wanted to speak for all the other lurkers like me out there who rarely comment but love OZ Bargain to say that i am ENTHRALLED by this story.

    Ive come back like 3-4 times today for updates

    Goodluck to @RNDM to getting your cash back and thank you for your regular updates - i hope we all get closure in your favour.

  • cristobaljamesy on 08/01/2020 - 18:22

    First thing that comes to mind is the two guys OP dealt with worked together to make the scam plausible..

    Not sure if that's been mentioned but that's my 2 cents.

    Good luck with getting back whats rightfully yours

  • Buy2Much on 08/01/2020 - 19:05
    +3

    Gumtree is f*** useless. Have reported a scam buyer (snatch and run) with photo evidence and police report number, but the scammer's account is still active several months later, with display names changing a few times. Even the police officer that I reported to, admitted that it is hard for them to deal with Gumtree to get details about the scammer. If you are in WA watch out for anyone contacting you from this account https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-seller/8059569561171

    • batrarobin on 08/01/2020 - 19:15

      photo evidence

      How did you manage that? dashcam?

      • Buy2Much on 08/01/2020 - 19:35
        +2

        Front door camera.

        • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 08/01/2020 - 19:56

          You should upload the footage and name and shame.

          • Buy2Much on 08/01/2020 - 20:16
            +2

            @WoodYouLikeSomeCash: I am not sure about the legality of doing that, plus they look under 18 as well (hence outran me easily)…and of certain race…

            • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 09/01/2020 - 09:53

              @Buy2Much: Oh I see.

            • johno3456 on 09/01/2020 - 14:09

              @Buy2Much: don't worry about the legality, just do it, and also put it on youtube, current affair etc.

              What are they going to do, walk into a police station and try to press charges and wonder why they are being arrested for stealing your stuff.

              Also, cameras in public places are fine and your doorstep is a public place. Think dash cameras etc.
              If you are still worried, just stick a notice on your door that there is a camera. Is the thief going to be able to prove it was not there.

  • nguyentran on 08/01/2020 - 19:10

    the system like VII use I'm not sure but u can press function in the eftpos to type your gift card. Egift card is treated as normal gift card in store, even you press Egiftcard but u can still use the number of physical gift card to pay.

    This is the experience I got from working to the retailler that using the same gift card system. Not sure about JB but I reckon it would be the same. And where I work, all the gift card need to be scratched and press the pin code no matter what

  • Strahany on 08/01/2020 - 19:24

    I’ve made a purchase, with a physical gift card that hadn’t had the PIN revealed, and the cashier told me not to scratch it off, and they only needed to swipe the card to put through the sale.

    I believe this has happened more than once. I don’t think they were for anything of major value, though. And I cannot recall exactly how long ago.

  • utsc on 08/01/2020 - 20:24

    @RNDM

    Nothing going to happen unless you complain to the very top
    Email the CEO of JB Hi Fi
    https://investors.jbhifi.com.au/the-executive-team/

    • RNDM on 08/01/2020 - 20:28

      Thank you for the link. I'll wait for a response from head office before making any more noise for the moment.

    • capslock janitor on 10/01/2020 - 13:17

      lol is that what everybody is doing nowadays?

      not every CEO is Jeff Bezos

  • jasonbw on 08/01/2020 - 22:41

    Thank you for sharing!

  • Akya on 08/01/2020 - 23:41
    +1

    Just a theory (I haven’t read all the comments), but couldn’t someone make a barcode with the provided card number? With stocard or something? I’ve managed to save coles gift cards on stocard (but they require a pin). I saw in one comment that JB only needs to scan the gift card and don’t need a pin, this is a easy work around.

  • AustriaBargain on 08/01/2020 - 23:50

    Makes me feel better about forgetting to eat that $1.19 yogurt from a few months ago.

    • ElWircho on 09/01/2020 - 09:03

      Phew, at least it was good for something then, I'm sure OP will be relieved.

  • gstfree on 09/01/2020 - 00:05
    +1

    I experienced similar fraud. It involved Officeworks. Amount concerned is less than $200. Reported to police straight away and police did investigate and released CCTV images and questioned different people.

    In your case, you obtained the card legally with proof. You have not authorized any transaction and you are the rightful owner. In this case the James scammer sounds like a chronic offender. He will be caught no doubt if he do this again. Things may be complicated if he is from overseas.

    • CalmLemons on 09/01/2020 - 00:40
      +1

      I read one of the fraud cases in a company we had consulted on in which an individual on a temporary visa had actually defrauded several stores multiple times over a course of 14 months.

      He was stupid enough to use his real name and e-mail address with his real name and signed for deliveries under the real name. Thinking that shit would not catch up to him next time he apparently tried to enter the country after going back overseas (he was some kind of student trainee scenario) they immediately flagged him at border control and sent him back permanently.

      • gstfree on 09/01/2020 - 00:55

        Thank you for sharing the experience.

  • Kranbone on 09/01/2020 - 00:49
    +1

    Sorry to hear about your experience. TLDR but is there a chance the person who scammed you works for JB Hi Fi. Noticed they have a lot of gift cards in their previous gumtree history as well as electronics.

    • solidussnake on 09/01/2020 - 09:03
      +2

      Or people have been innocently giving out the card number (for him to confirm balance) and the scammer has been exploiting JB's system ?

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