Attempting to install iTunes with invalid email and used iTunes gift card

Question

My 9 year old daughter got an iPod Touch and $25 iTunes giftcard. She attempted to open an iTunes account and used the $25 gift card to activate the account. After several attempts and failures with her own email address (apparently because she is not old enough for an account), she tried again with another email address, one that she made up. I sent an email from my email address to the one she used and it came back undeliverable because the email address did not exist. Is the giftcard used up, now? If so, how can I get the money back onto the card to use it on my iTunes account. Please email me the response and let me know if you need the email address she used and/or the iTunes giftcard number.

Answer 1

Hello, Mom, and welcome to the Discussions.
First, please understand that you are not communicating with Apple when you post here. We're all just fellow users, helping other users as we have time and knowledge to offer.
In a situation like this there's nothing much we can do. My guess is that the iTunes Store automated registration system sent the usual validation request to the made-up email address, and since the address doesn't exist, there's no way to validate the account and access the credit balance. You'll need to contact the iTunes Store Customer Service department using the form on their Support page (select the category and subcategory closest to the issue you're reporting and you'll find either an "Express Lane" button - just follow the instructions to get to the contact form - or an "Email Us" button) and explain your situation to them. I would suggest you include the bogus email address and the gift card number in your message to them.
Good luck, and regards.
Message was edited by: Dave Sawyer