Coles Looks into 'Weird Scratching' on Apple Gift Cards

Scams and Fraud

Thursday, 21 May 2026, 3:40 pm

Georgia Perry bought four Apple gift cards worth $2,000.

In short:

A Melbourne artist's video about faulty Apple gift cards has gone viral.

The cards' redemption codes were scratched out.

What's next?

Coles is refunding the money and investigating the matter.

Coles is looking into concerns about gift cards bought in one of its stores.

Georgia Perry bought four Apple gift cards from Coles in Yarraville.

When she tried to use the gift cards online, the codes were scratched out.

Georgia said the cards were 'fraudulent'.

There was 'weird scratching' and 'glue' where the code should be.

All four gift cards had the same problem.

Warning: this video has bad language.

Georgia complained to Coles, but they didn't seem to care.

Coles later offered her a refund after she made a big deal about it.

Coles is working with the gift card supplier to investigate.

The supplier, InComm, has been asked for comment.

What happened to the gift cards?

Georgia bought the gift cards to buy a new iPhone.

There was a special offer for Flybuys points when buying Apple gift cards.

It sounded like a good deal, but it wasn't.

Have you had problems with gift cards?

Gift cards are usually sold with a cardboard backing.

The codes are hidden until you remove the card from the backing.

Georgia took the gift cards to the checkout and paid for them.

When she got home, she found the codes were scratched out.

Georgia thought she might have damaged the cards, but they all had the same problem.

She took the cards back to Coles, but the staff didn't care.

Georgia also complained to Apple, but they asked for photos of the cards.

The serial numbers on the cards were also scratched out.

Georgia found the codes on the back of the card were scratched too.

Georgia made a formal complaint to Coles, which they are looking into.

Georgia says she'll never buy a gift card again.

Georgia posted her video, and it got over 150,000 views.

Coles called Georgia to say they would give her a refund.

Coles is giving Georgia a refund because the supplier deactivated the gift cards.

The email said Georgia was eligible for a refund and apologized for the problem.

Georgia thinks Coles only gave her a refund because of the pressure.

The ACCC warns consumers to check gift card packaging.

The ACCC says consumers can return faulty gift cards for a refund.

Consumers may need to give the retailer information from the gift card provider.

The ACCC says signs of tampering are not always visible.

Georgia didn't check the gift cards before buying them.

Georgia wants to know how the gift cards were tampered with.

It's 'mind-boggling' and 'sophisticated', Georgia said.

Thursday, 21 May 2026, 3:40 pm

Thursday, 21 May 2026, 5:24 pm

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