Consumer complaint received 2022-06-17
Company: Google Compare Credit Cards Inc.
State: KY
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: Gift card
Issue: Unexpected or other fees

Complaint:
At XXXXXXXX XXXX on Thursday,  XX/XX/2022, I received a text message that said, " Hi XXXX, I'm in a meeting and limited to calls, I need you to get a task done momentarily, confirm you receive my text. Thanks XXXX -- -- -- -- -- --. '' This is the name of one of my boss 's, one that I don't interact with very frequently. He was using a different phone number from the one I have for XXXX, but I thought XXXX might just have a second business phone that he'd never contacted me at before. I replied, " Yessir. '' He replied, " Okay, I want you to locate any store close by, I need you to get me some google card. I need those cards for a presentation in a few. Then you can forward in for reimbursement soon after. How soon can you get this done? '' I asked, " By Google card what exactly is that? I can go to a store ASAP. '' He replied, " Google cards are gift cards, I believe XXXX will have them, can you locate any XXXX? '' I said, " Closest XXXX is 16 minutes from my house. I can go to a XXXX or somewhere else that might be quicker. '' He replied, " Okay, keep me posted once you get to XXXX and send me images of cards available at the store. '' I headed for the XXXX. On my way I received a follow up text from him, " Received? '' I texted back, " Yes. On my way, 8 minutes from store. '' He replied, " Sounds good. '' I found the Google Play gift cards, took a picture of the largest priced card ( {$100.00} ) and sent the picture to him. I also said, " They have {$50.00}, {$45.00}, {$25.00}, and {$10.00} cards for this also. '' He replied, " Okay, I want you to purchase 6 of the cards with {$100.00} value on each. '' I said, " Ok. '' Once I had bought the cards ( my receipt says they were purchased at XXXX XXXX XXXX I texted, " Purchased. '' He said, " Once the cards are purchased, you are to scratch off the silver panel at the back of each card and send me images revealing the activation codes with the receipt. Also hold on a little at the store while I confirm if the cards are properly activated. '' I said, " Ok. '' I scratched off the back of the cards and sent pictures of the codes for all six, along with a picture of my receipt. He said, " I received 5 of the cards. '' I replied, " Which one did you not get? Here 's first 4 digits for each one : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX '' He said, " XXXX. '' I resent the picture of that particular card. He said, " I received all the images of the card codes, kindly hold on a little at the store while I confirm if the cards are activated, I will keep you posted. '' I said, " Ok. '' He responded, " I just confirm all cards, all cards are good and activated. I will be needing more cards, can you get me more cards? '' I said, " Yes. How many? '' He said, " Okay, I need you to get me 6 more cards in increment of {$100.00} value on each. '' This text was sent at XXXXXXXX XXXX 

When he asked me to double what I'd spent, the reservations I had finally mounted to where I called another coworker of mine to see if in fact this was a second phone number for XXXX. Enough of his messages had seemed in character ( i.e. short, brief, to the point ) that it had seemed, from my limited interaction with XXXX, that it had to be him and I didn't need to question why he needed the cards. But asking me to double the amount was really sketchy. My coworker confirmed this was a scam. I received two more texts from this number. " Recieved? '' Came at XXXX PM. He followed up, " XXXX, '' at XXXX XXXX. I did not respond and have not received any further contact. I still have my receipt from XXXX, all texts, and the Google cards. My credit card company said it could not dispute the charges with XXXX and XXXX said that they can not refund a gift card that has already been purchased. I have reported this to the FTC, Google Play, and my company.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation