Warning: Don't buy Event Cinemas gift cards from eBay

[33_maggie]

I recently bought an Event Cinemas gift card from eBay, the original listing had the barcode exposed - not the PIN just the barcode. The seller them blacked out the barcode, I bought the card having only ever seen the blacked out version of the photo and really didn't think much of it.

I went to check the gift card balance online when I received the card in the mail and found that it had only $2 left.

I contacted Event Cinemas and was told the card has been used, I didn't know how this was possible considering at the time it was used, the physical card itself was in the mail.

Apparently, if you are at the cinemas, all you need is a copy of a valid barcode to make purchases. You don't need the gift card.

Nothing is stopping you from taking a photo of a gift card at the shops and waiting for it to be activated then using it.

I've had this happen with three cards now.

If you are selling an Event Cinemas gift card on eBay DO NOT POST photos of the barcode as it can be stolen.

If you are thinking, well duh, dumb **bleep** don't buy gift cards like that. I didn't realise it was possible to use a photo of a barcode as payment.

Event Cinemas/Experience This did look into the incident but it sounds like they are still going to accept barcodes like this at the cinemas, here's what they said in an email to me:

In this instance it appears that your barcode was replicated and presented as a digital barcode (similar to our eGift Cards) which was scanned at cinema. Please note that gift card balances are accessed by the barcode/barcode number – the PIN is required for secure validation if redeeming online or when entered manually at point of sale – however if the barcode is present in cinema than it can simply be scanned for redemption.

In the same way you wouldn’t share a credit card number, it is the responsibility of the card holder to keep gift card data safe. In this instance, as the eBay seller had shared the card number on a public website, unfortunately we claim responsibility for this data being used and as such, we will not be able to compensate you for this loss. The original seller has been in touch with us however and we are of the understanding that you have since been refunded.

For peace of mind, I would strongly recommend buying Event Gift Cards direct from our online gift shop, in cinemas, or through our official third-party retailers (including Coles, Woolworths, and Australia Post).

[33_maggie]

---

@lm-entertainmentwrote:

personally, i would never, ever buy gift cards from anywhere but the original vendor - there's so many things that can go wrong. sure, there's probably a percentage of people who legitimately want to get rid of them as they're unwanted gifts - but there's also a great number which would be stolen, have already been used, etc. 

---

The problem is the barcode can be stolen from anywhere.

If I take a photo of the barcode, print it out and take it to the Cinemas. THIS can be used to purchase tickets/food etc.

For example:

I go to Woolworths, take a photo of the back of a card - I've got the card number and barcode. All I need to do is wait until that card has been activated - (and turns out eBay is a good source for this because most cards have been activated) - then print the barcode, take to the cinemas and buy whatever I want.

If it works yay for me, if it doesn't, oh well I'll just pay by card/credit/whatever. Easy.

[33_maggie]

Gift Card 1 arrived Thursday 28/2

[lm-entertainment]

exactly right. that's what i was saying. 

[kitschkoven]

Really disappointing 😞 😞 😞

A few months ago I put up here an Event Cinemas gift card that I received as a Christmas present, because I'm not a cinema person... and I am a povvo and need that $100. I had taken pictures of front and back. It was sitting on here for several weeks and I was surprised, remembering that gift cards sold almost immediately when I used to list on here over ten years ago. Then, someone messaged me to tell me exactly what you did. This person was apparently an employee of Event Cinemas and said that they don't bother with the PIN number, they just scan the barcode. (Well that's just great. Why have the PIN then?)

I haven't checked yet - I don't want my heart broken - but it's probably got zero credit on it, after being viewed by ~75 people.

Yes, I know now that I was somewhat naive... as in thinking people wouldn't believe it's their right to take $100 from you, should you be apparently foolish enough to show the barcode. I didn't reveal the PIN... I would never show the PIN! I'm not STUPID! - or so I thought.

Anyway, sorry you had a bad experience. Speaking for myself, I would never want to scam anyone. My actions were totally innocent and I was horrified to hear that I may have been ripped off of $100. I'm glad it was pointed out to me before it was sold, b/c I cannot afford to refund that amount of money.

[lm-entertainment]

you've certainly educated me with that one if it's the way it works too - because i assumed that would only work with gift cards that don't have PINs - otherwise, as you said - why have it? 

i'm sorry to hear about your story 😕 i hope that one day if you pluck up the courage to check out the balance that you've gotten lucky and it's still not there. might be better trying to flog it off to someone you know at a discounted rate? 

[kitschkoven]

I just checked...

IT'S STILL GOT THE FULL AMOUNT ON IT... PHEW...  

[33_maggie]

That's a relief. Sounds like the universe just doesn't like me at the moment.

[kitschkoven]

That really sucks. 😞  Event Cinemas should review their practices!