Investigation Into Visa and Mastercard Vanilla Gift Cards

Our team at McCune Law Group, who have successfully recovered billions of dollars for our clients from various financial institutions, have launched an investigation into Visa and Mastercard Vanilla Gift Card’s and their issuers after complaints have been made alleging that these gift cards are highly susceptible to scams in which the card is rendered unusable after they are purchased. The Visa and Mastercard Vanilla Gift Card is a pre-paid gift card issued by TBBK Card Services, Inc., Pathward, N.A. or Sutton Bank, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. which can be used in store or online. A class action lawsuit filed in January of 2024 alleged that when a consumer purchases the card and loads the desired amount of funds onto the card, scammers are able to monitor the balance of the cards. Once the funds are loaded onto the card, the scammers make transactions with the cards until the funds are depleted before the consumer has had the chance to use them.

The class action lawsuit also alleges that Visa and Mastercard along with other Vanilla card issuers such as Pathward Financial were aware of the card’s vulnerabilities but failed to implement necessary security measures to prevent the known fraudulent conduct. Additionally, the financial institutions who were aware of the misconduct also failed to disclose to consumers that Visa and Mastercard Vanilla cards are vulnerable to tampering and theft and refused to refund consumers that complained when they realized their Visa or Mastercard Vanilla cards had no value.  

Our team of attorneys have successfully recovered billions of dollars for our clients from financial institutions, including a $203 million dollar verdict against Wells Fargo, a $70 million verdict for unfair overdraft fees, and a $35 million national settlement for overdraft fees. Our attorneys have a history of aggressive representation that spans over 30 years. Serving the Inland Empire and the entire U.S., our Financial Services attorneys have represented consumers in financial services class action litigation against Fortune 500 companies and won.

Consumers are Unable to Use Their Card Even When Funds are Available

Consumers who have purchased or received a Visa or Mastercard Vanilla Gift Card are also reporting that they are unable to use the funds that are available on the card, despite the card being activated. The claims suggest that attempts to make purchases, either online or in person, are repeatedly declined, even though the balance on the card is correct. Just when consumers have had enough and decide to call the number provided on the back of the card for assistance, they are met with an automated response that leads them in circles and prevents them from speaking to a real representative. This lack of accessible customer support leaves cardholders without a resolution to their problem and are still unable to use the funds they have already paid for.

If you or a loved one has purchased or received a Visa or Mastercard Vanilla Gift Card and believe you have been affected by these issues, you may be eligible to join a class action lawsuit. Contact us today to schedule a free evaluation by calling (909) 345-8110 or by completing our form.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Visa or Mastercard Vanilla Gift Card and how does it work?

A Visa or Mastercard Vanilla Gift Card is a prepaid card that can be used anywhere Visa and Mastercard is accepted, both online and in physical stores. It comes in various denominations and is often used as a gift or a convenient way to manage spending without the need for a bank account. To use the card, you simply swipe it at the point of sale or enter the card details for online purchases. The amount spent is deducted from the card’s balance until it is depleted.

If you purchase or receive a Visa or Mastercard Vanilla Gift Card and discover that it is empty or has a lower balance than expected, you should immediately contact the customer service number provided on the back of the card. Have your receipt and any other relevant information handy to assist in resolving the issue. If you are unable to resolve the issue this way, we urge you to contact our team at MLG.

Visa and Mastercard Vanilla Gift Cards differ from traditional debit or credit cards primarily in their use and functionality. Unlike debit cards linked to a bank account, gift cards are preloaded with a specific amount of money, making them ideal for controlled spending or gifting purposes. They do not require a credit check or personal identification to purchase or use, offering a level of anonymity. However, unlike credit cards, they do not provide a line of credit or the ability to carry a balance beyond the loaded amount. Additionally, gift cards are not typically eligible for cash advances or rewards programs offered by some credit cards.

According to the class action lawsuit, scammers can monitor the balance of Visa and Mastercard Vanilla Gift Cards from the moment funds are loaded onto them. These scammers then make transactions with the cards, quickly depleting the funds before the legitimate consumer has an opportunity to use them. This fraudulent activity renders the cards unusable, leaving consumers without the funds they intended to have available.

Get Started on Your Potential Case

If you believe you have been victimized by these alleged issues, contact our team today for a free evaluation. We will review the details of your situation and determine if filing a case or joining a class action might be the next step. Here is what to expect in the process:

Step 1: Research and Gather Information – Before reaching out, gather all relevant information about your case. This includes details about the charges and any other parties involved. Take note of the date and time.    

Step 2: Call or Complete the Form for Initial Evaluation – Use the phone number provided or online form to contact our team. You may find it helpful to prepare a summary of your case before making the call or completing the form. This will ensure you provide essential details of the case efficiently.         

Step 3: Schedule a Free Evaluation – Request a free evaluation to discuss your case in detail. We offer free initial evaluations to assess the viability of your case. During this meeting, you can share the specifics of your situation, ask questions, and get a better understanding of how our attorneys can assist you in a lawsuit.         

Step 4: Prepare for the Evaluation – Before the scheduled evaluation, organize all relevant documents and be prepared to articulate the details of your case clearly. This will help the attorney assess the merits of your case more effectively. During the evaluation, feel free to ask any questions you may have about the legal process, potential outcomes, and our approach to financial lawsuits.

MLG Attorneys are Standing by to Help You

Our Finacial Services team at MLG is familiar with all the tactics used by financial institutions to take advantage of consumers and effectively level the playing field by competently representing the interests of consumers who have been wronged. We have gone up against Fortune 500 companies – and won. We have built a well-earned reputation as a significant member of the legal community and have obtained very large verdicts and settlements including recovering over $1 billion for our clients. Our Financial Services attorneys are known for getting results. Contact us today to get started.

Contact our team today by calling (909) 345-8110 or by completing our online form.

Attorney Advertising

McCune Law Group, McCune Wright Arevalo Vercoski Kusel Weck Brandt APC is responsible for this advertisement. The information provided on this website is for general information purposes only. The information you obtain is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Use of this website or submission of the online form does not create an attorney-client relationship.   

Counsel Richard McCune is licensed to practice only in the state of California.  The law firm of McCune Law Group has attorneys licensed to practice law in AZ, CA, GA, IL, MO, NJ, NY, and PA.  This information section is not intended to be a solicitation for services in states where it is forbidden for non-barred attorneys from advertising for services, and McCune Law Group does not have attorneys barred in that state. McCune Law Group is a national firm that brings lawsuits in a majority of the states. In states where one of its attorneys are not barred, it follows local state rules by filing the complaint through and with local counsel barred in that state. 

The results discussed do not guarantee, warrant, or predict the results in future cases.