Mastercard Gift Card Preloaded Debit Gift Card Doesn't Honor Refunds Internet

I recieved a $25 prepaid gift card. I used this card on a portion of a $40 purchase at a local retailer. Unhappy with my purchase, I returned it to the retailer, who refunded the entire $40 to my gift card. 

After the refund, my card no longer worked. So, I called the number on the back of the card to inquire. I was told that I would have to get my local retailer to reverse the refund, and that they were unable to help me. 

So, I spoke to the local retailer. We checked the balance on my card, which showed $47 and that the refund had been completed. So, the retailer was unable to reverse the refund, as my card had been locked as a potential fraud. 

So, I called the card services number several more times, continually getting the same story. "We can't do anything for you"... "You should have known better and not let the retailer put that refund on your card"... "You have to call the retailer"... And when I expressed my concern that the card balanced showed that the card did indeed contain my $50... I was told "It's not $50 ma'am... You don't have $50... You have $47" in an extremely condescending manner. 

I will never, never, never purchase a prepaid debit card. I am so unbelievable disatisfied with their customer service, I can hardly express it in words. Every single rep I spoke to, which was easily six or more, was rude, unprofessional, and snide. I was even hung up on by one of them.

The only exception to my disgust was the manager of the disputes department. She was very kind and understanding, and trasnfered me to the manager of customer service, who again was just rude and insulting. 

Be warned, if you recieve a gift card, do not use it for partial payments. And, if you need a refund, be sure they only put back on the card what was originally debited. Otherwise, you'll be out of luck and the money will just be... absorbed... by the card services company. 

Can you say "FRAUD?!"

Tess, 

Denver, CO