[wishfish]

Would checking the Apple gift card balance first be a useful precaution? Would it have saved Paris all this hassle?

Seems like this might be a necessary step if checking the balance would reveal there's something wrong with the card. Would be frustrating to see the $500 card is worthless but better than risking the bureaucratic hell.

[eddyg]

I had this exact thought. Unfortunately I can't find a way to check the balance of an Apple gift card without signing in to an Apple ID⁽¹⁾. So maybe you need a throwaway Apple ID...

⁽¹⁾ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108111

[wishfish]

I guess a throwaway account would be essential then. That's a little weird to require an ID just to check the balance.

[qingcharles]

I see places taking away the ability to check the balance. Is this some anti-fraud thing? eBay has removed their page too.

[NoMoreNicksLeft]

Would that save him, or would checking a large fraudulent card be a heuristic that sets off the banhammer system?