It’s Christmas morning and you’ve been given the “big” gift from your significant other. Excited about the weight and size, knowing the hints you’ve been dropping for the past month have not gone unnoticed, you tear off the paper to see the crisp, white box with the coveted iPad 2 picture on front.
You squeal with excitement and open the box like a seven-year-old only to discover a lump of clay. Is this a joke? No. Canada has experienced an epidemic of scammers who bought an iPad, replaced it with clay and returned it to the store complete with shrink wrap and everything.
CTV News in Canada recently reported the scam affecting Walmart, London Drugs, Future Shops and Best Buys across the Country. CTV
first reported that as many as 10 customers at Future Shop and Best Buy locations had purchased what they thought was a brand new iPad 2, but when they opened it they found nothing more than a bag full of clay.
Since the first story was broadcast on CTV News, London Drugs reported at least four incidents and Walmart had claims of fewer than 10 cases. One victim was “treated like a criminal” when he tried to return his box of clay to Future Shop. Only after he brought his story to CTV was he refunded for his purchase, given an apology and a free iPad 2.
Since the first news story, other victims have experienced better customer service. Walmart customer Dayna Chabot was able to return her box of clay with no issue. “I understood that it could have easily been us that did it and went back. But they were really good about it at Walmart. They were all just kind of baffled,” she said.
CTV contacted Apple for information and were told that the company is “part of the investigation” but would not comment further.
Clever scams always have copycat crimes to follow. If you are planning on buying an iPad, or any electronic device for that matter, open it inside the store you purchased it from. If you are scammed, it will be much easier to prove your innocence.
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