Overview
- Paris Buttfield-Addison said his Apple ID was disabled after trying to redeem a $500 Apple Gift Card bought at a major retailer that appeared to have been tampered with.
- Standard Apple Support initially told him the lockout could not be escalated, before media coverage helped route the case to Apple Executive Relations, which restored access on December 18.
- Apple has not provided a public explanation of what triggered the lock or how similar cases will be handled, though an Executive Relations representative reportedly urged buying gift cards directly from Apple.
- Coverage points to automated fraud-detection systems that can disable accounts during suspicious redemptions, with Apple Support forum searches showing many similar complaints.
- Commentators recommend avoiding third‑party or discounted cards, favoring Apple-issued digital delivery or in-store redemption for physical purchases, and maintaining independent backups of iCloud data.