Dreadful and absolutely hopeless product. I had considerable issues activating the card and then, once activated, I could not complete a purchase using the card. It seems designed to ensure you cannot use it and it expires within 12 months then presumably allowing the issuer to pocket the balance. The next step is lodging a formal complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.
STAY AWAY. This is a straight out scam. Card is not working to by anything online. Unable to log into my account to see what the problem may be as username and password no longer work. Unable to reset password as reset link does not work. Unable to reset by entering card number as that link does not work either. I asked their demeaning chatbot how… Read more
to reset. It doesn't know and is currently 'putting me through to a human'. It's been doing that for the last ten minutes with no result. STAY AWAY!
The most frustrating card ever, got one of these for Christmas bonus from my company, could not activate because I needed to know the birth date that the card was set up with WTH!!! Finally got the thing activated and could not use because the PIN was incorrect, tried to get on line to check what was going on and was told "system does not… Read more
recognize this user or email" even tho I had an email confirming the cards activation!!. Have finally navigated around the most difficult website to change the PIN, and we will see if it works when I try to use it next. These cards are designed to be difficult, and I would hate to think how many people have left unspent funds in here because of that. NOT RECOMMENDED.
Reviews with attachments
Absolute garbage card with garbage customer service – Card is exceptionally limited, have not found an online provider yet that the card holder will allow. Card issuer claims it's because of fraud concerns (what, major SX companies used by millions daily have fraud concerns?) Their goal seems to be charge you for substandard service and deny you your funds until car expiry. It truly is the worst company.
Left embarrassed at the checkout – I received a $200 ichoose visa prepaid card which I activated online, I got the green tick of successfully activating my card 7 days ago, this card has 1 year on it so I knew I was ok to shop within the 12 months of activation. I had a full $200 on my card I did a $200 plus shop at Woolworths, yes one of the major supermarkets which I thought… Read more
would accept my card, I go to pay and it says DECLINED BY BANK, not declined by the terminal at the supermarket, so I swiped my card a further 5 times after checkout chick reset the machine each time only to have the card DECLINED FOR 5 times, I had people lined up behind me in this super busy supermarket and not only was I EMBARRASSED BUT ALSO LIVID that I had to dip into my money I had aside to pay for my house insurance, I got online and logged in to my card account at My card place to check my card and I see that $4 has been taken out of my $200 and states it is a fee, now I never bought anything and my card was declined, so what’s the deal ? I wasn’t told there was going to be any fees and how can they take a fee out when the card was declined and so therefore wasn’t used ? Not to mention I told the girl that I had a full $200 on my card which I did but after that $4 was taken out it left me with $196.00 so I’m thinking because I now have $196.00 and not $200 maybe that’s why it was declined? BUT you gotta let people know, because on all 5 of my declined receipts not one is showing me that they took a fee out and left me with less than the $200, if I had known and been able to see a few I would have said I have $196 now so tally it up to that. All I can say is I’m never ever going to get another one of these cards because believe me it will leave you stranded and embarrassed at the checkout, I was on the verge of just bursting into tears from embarrassment, I do NOT RECOMMEND THESE CARDS.
MINUS 5 stars – Received this as a gift, activated it. Went in to check BALANCE because in past they charge for nothing in particular once activated. I could NOT get on to account as it says "Your Card has expired or has been closed due to zero balance." it does NOT expire until 09/23 & it has never been used. NOT impressed & is a bloody ripe off at best.
Nonsense – got this card for a year, and just found it out perfect time to use it as it expires this month, just checked balance being deducted for the maintenance fee every month since the 7th month, and went in read the T&C it says "Monthly Maintenance Fee: Charged at the start of the 7th month from issuing continuing until either your balance is zero or the card expires for $2.5 each month" so before expiry my card only left $5 from $20 gift card.
Recent reviews
The most frustrating company, that is happy to sell 100's of cards to a company to use as incentives for their staff, but if you have more that one card you cannot get the card balance from either their old mycardplace.com website or the new iChoose website. So you reach out to the company for the balance but you cannot get it unless you are… Read more
purchaser's head office that registered the card originally. I think they are happy to frustrate users as providing the balance is useless unless the user has the PIN CODE and the Pin code is registered by you not the company that purchased the cards. These people seem to relish having cards abandoned as users give up in frustration, iChoose gets to keep the balance as they ARE not helpful with assisting you with their customer service division. I will be writing to ACCC to get them investigated.
The worst gift/visa card you could purchase. Website is not user friendly, no mobile website, a capture for every button you click which says you’re wrong every first attempt and makes you do another 3, requires too much info to log in every time - it won’t even bring up the numeric keyboard when entering the card number. Most frustrating website I’ve ever used. Not to mention their ridiculous amount of high fees. Show details
I've tried using a $700 "cash back" card from a large retailer at many different stores, both online and in person. None will take the card. The whole thing seems like a scam. I've attempted to contact the company but note that they charge you from your balance if you try to call them, and so I'm waiting for an email reply.
Not happy Jack! – Had intended to go to Kmart to use the remaining balance from 2 x cards, but logged into my account to check the balances. Both cards were 0, much to my disgust. They had ripped me off $8.00 in fees. What a joke!
Disgusting gift card – I received 3x$20 gift cards from my kids and only today located them in my drawer. Would appear expiry date march 2024. Items are only good for a year this is disgusting what a way to make money. All I can say is their cash flow is great especially when it comes to giving them to elderly parents. Stay away from this card, check the expiry dates. I also received a Visa one card but it expires in 2026
Find out how iChoose Visa Gift Card compares to other Gift Cards
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$250 visa card that simply does not work – Absolutely fraudulent - I received this via a special offer when purchasing an Olympus camera via DigiDirect. Olympus and Digidirect should be ashamed to associate their name with such a company. I would not have purchased this camera without the Visa Card offer, and it just simply does not work, despite having activated it. Support is nonexistant - and they charge a fee to the card just for the privilege of calling them.
Bunnings and my friend's wine store accept this card. Otherwise utterly useless – If you want to give someone a gift card: Don't choose this one! Read the reviews. If you are unlucky enough having received one, it's a nightmare to use it. This card is declined at most shops (online or brick and mortar) I was successful at Bunnings (buying a voucher online) and at a friend's wine store (Cardwell Cellars in Abbotsford) Their… Read more
online shop accepts this card and you can have your wine delivered or pick up in store.
I hope this helps the unlucky recipients of this (almost useless) card.
Scam card – I was charged $3.99 twice even though I spoke to the customer service once. Customer service was appalling, incompetent, slow, no product knowledge and can't speak proper English. Not user friendly card at all. Lots of hidden charges. Keep away from this scam card. O star!!
Can't use anywhere – I received this card from a company as a gift for buy so many products from them. When I got my $100 card I activated it and did everything required. I checked the balance online $100 ok. Went to use it at BWS card not accepted. I waited a few months rang this time to check the balance $98 balance. Haven't even used it. Go to buy something… Read more
online and can pay by Visa, put in card details and declined. You can't use this card anywhere. Yet companies are giving them money to have their name on the card to hand out to reward their customers. Waste of money for these companies using these cards. Do not give iChoose anymore money. Scammers.
Not recommended – Terrible customer service. Charged me for ringing them when their website wasn't working. Then charged me for activating my card via phone even though they told me it was my only option. I won't be using them again
The absolute worst! – If I could give this a zero rating, I would. Received a $100 card as a gift and was promptly charged $1.20 to activate it online. As far as I'm aware there is no way to avoid this fee. Went to pay for something and card was declined. Found out that they charge a $2.50 "account keeping" fee every month, from the 7th month of activation. Balance now… Read more
sits at $93.80 purely because I have waited 8 months to use the card. How is this even legal? Avoid like the plague.
Absolute rip off don't use – If you have an issue with your log in, support charges you to talk to rude, unhelpful people. As soon as you call, they charge you $3.99 for an account balance that you didn't even ask for. stay away from this rip of gift card service
This card service is total rip off – I got this card as a prize from prize draw but I could activate the card first time as no I used the pin. And then I was charged $1.50 for service on the phone because I couldn’t activate it online. After that I went to use the card but it wouldn’t charge . I notified the card centre about card being scam/fraud , they sent me email that I still… Read more
have $988 on my card that I czz as n use. However when I went online to check the balance still I couldn’t pass the captcha. No need to guess, it is a scam. I am not buying Nivea products anymore because they are the once who sent me fraudulent card ( with what should be $1000 on it). This card is useless .
Unseen terms and conditions - 0 Stars!!! – I was issued a gift card and unfortunately, I was not able to use due to family issues and personal problems. I missed out on the expiry date. Called the consumer service and there are no empathy towards reissuing the card even though I mentioned my personal issues. Her company terms and conditions does not allow reissue of cards..... PLEASE stay away from these scammers...
Find out how iChoose Visa Gift Card compares to other Gift Cards
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Cant give 0 stars – Was given this gift card from my employer as a work place incentive. Unable to even activate to use. No idea what phone number was used. Card will not even accept 0000 as per instructions. Worse card ever.
They are the biggest rip off i rang them to activate the card and they taken 4 dollars of my card for ringing them – Dont get them they are no good they taken 4 dollars off my card for ringing them to activate my card they don't tell you this and thats how they get you
Legal theft??? – Received a gift card and covering letter suggested activating for safety. Decided to use 6 months later and the transaction was declined. Subsequently contacted them on number on the webpage and was told the balance reduced due to monthly fees, two declined transaction fees, plus fee because I called them. As stated in title, Legal Theft
What a scam - don't get this card – Horrible customer services. They charge maintenance fees for holding your money which is earning interest for them. They don't send you any statements so what are they maintaining? Just ridiculous. I will never use this card again - they just keep charging you fees and in the end the final amount has been chewed up with their charges. Just a scam!
What a scam. Don't use this gift card service for your clients – I received this gift card and tried to use it but it was declined 4 times. It has since expired and when I spoke to customer service they said they can't issue another card and it was declined because the card was not activated. No where on the card does it say it needs to be activated, what a hassle for the end user, don't choose this give card provider.
Horrible customer service! – absolutely disgusting customer service! These call centres in India have no idea and do not give a dam about customers. Do not spend your money on this card. Charges you transaction fees even when the card is not active. Total scam!
Scam Artists - Avoid these people – So many fees and very rude phone suppport... I will never use this card again... these people are a buch of scammers who just want to get their hands on your money... avoid at all costs.
Simple and Easy – I just activated my ichoose visacard and booked a ticket online right after, and everything went well. Super fast, quick and easy. Not facing any problem at all. I will definitely try in a physical store next time.
Ichoose gift card RIP OFF – I recieved an ichoose gift card as part of a corporate reward program. Buried in the fine print is the fact that once the card expries you forfeit any unused money. This is nothing short of blatant theft in my opinion and completely unethical. I lost close to $1000 which was taken without any warning that the card was about to expire despite them… Read more
having my contact details and including email which feels very deliberate. I am shocked this practice is legal.
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