The True Post (Web News) Many Costco customers across Canada are currently experiencing severe distress.
Customers were left shocked when they discovered that all the money on their digital gift cards (Shop Cards) had mysteriously disappeared. Many of the affected customers are still trying to get their money back, but the company has remained silent on the serious issue.
Shelley Shu, a resident of Perth, Ontario, is among dozens of customers whose money suddenly disappeared from her Costco Shop Cards. According to Shelley, when she checked her card in late June, the entire balance of about $200 was gone. “When I checked my balance, I was shocked to see zero dollars. I was so upset,” says Shelley, who has contacted her several times by phone and at her local Costco store, but a month has passed without a clear answer or resolution. Dozens of complaints have been received on various social media platforms and on Costco’s website, with customers reporting that amounts ranging from $150 to $1,000 have disappeared from their shop cards.
Five affected customers CBC spoke to said they had either received a partial refund, a full refund was being delayed, or were denied outright.There has been no formal explanation from Costco, but a similar letter to customers who received a refund suggests that the case may be the result of fraud. The letter read, “Our ongoing investigation indicates that a limited number of digital shop cards have been used by unauthorized individuals.” At the same time, Costco temporarily suspended online sales of digital shop cards in early July, and resumed them at the end of the month.
Daniel Say , a professor and consumer rights expert at the University of Canada West, Vancouver, called Costco a “failure” in this situation. “Costco should have immediately informed the public about this issue. This is not only a consumer trust issue, but also a major marketing failure.In Canada, consumers have legal protections in the event of credit or debit card fraud, but in the case of gift cards, victims have to contact the company themselves.
What is needed is that there is legal protection and a proper refund mechanism for gift cards as well. Otherwise, fraudsters will continue to get away with it.” Lisa Manilla of Niagara Falls said $150 was missing from two of her store cards, but Costco refused to refund her. The company cited its “terms and conditions,” which state that the company is not responsible for lost or stolen cards
