It should have been a happy moment. You received a generous Amazon Gift Card for the holidays, you scratched off the code, and typed it in.
But instead of seeing your balance increase, the screen went black. Then came the email:
“We have closed your account and voided your remaining balance due to a violation of our Gift Card Terms and Conditions.”
This is the “Gift Card Death Loop,” and it is happening to thousands of users right now. Amazon’s fraud algorithms are aggressively flagging legitimate users as “money launderers.”
If you just lost access to your account (and your money), here is why it happened and the exact evidence you need to get it back.
Why Did Amazon Ban Me for a Gift Card?
You didn’t do anything illegal, so why does Amazon think you are a criminal?
Amazon is currently fighting a war against “Gift Card Laundering.” Scammers often use stolen credit cards to buy Amazon Gift Cards. To stop this, Amazon’s bot automatically bans accounts that fit specific “High Risk” patterns:
- The “New Account” Flag: Did you create a brand new account just to redeem a card? This is the #1 trigger. Amazon assumes you are hiding your identity.
- The “High Value” Spike: Redeeming a large amount (like $200 or $500) all at once often triggers a manual review.
- The “Reseller” Behavior: If you bought a gift card from a third-party site (like key resale sites) instead of a store, Amazon often voids it as “fraudulent.”
The Good News: If you physically possess the gift card (or the digital receipt), this ban is reversible.
Step 1: Determine if it’s a “Hold” or a “Closure”
First, try to log in.
- Scenario A: If you see a screen asking you to upload documents, you are only on Hold.The Fix: Stop reading this and follow our guide on How to Fix Amazon Account Locked for Unusual Activity. You just need to verify your identity.
- Scenario B: If you cannot log in at all, or if the email explicitly says “Account Closed,” keep reading. You need to file a specialized appeal.
Step 2: Gather Your “Golden Evidence”
Customer support cannot help you unless you prove you own the gift card. You need to take a clear photo of two things:
- The Gift Card: A photo of the back of the card showing the Claim Code.Digital Card? Take a screenshot of the email you received with the code.
- The Purchase Receipt: This is the key. A photo of the store receipt showing when and where the card was bought.Gift from a friend? You must ask them for a photo of the receipt. Without it, Amazon will likely keep the money.
Step 3: The “OFM” Appeal Method
Regular customer support agents cannot reopen accounts closed for Gift Card fraud. You need to reach the OFM (Account Specialist) team.
Since you cannot log in to use the chat, you must email them.
- Email:
ofm@amazon.com(Primary) oraccount-alert@amazon.com(Secondary) - Subject: Appeal for Closed Account – Gift Card Verification
Copy/Paste This Script:
“Hello Account Specialist Team,
My account was closed in error following the redemption of a valid Amazon Gift Card.
I am writing to provide proof of ownership for the gift card in question. Attached to this email, please find:
- A photo of the physical gift card showing the claim code.
- The original purchase receipt from the retailer, confirming this was a legitimate purchase.
I have not violated any terms of service. Please review this evidence and reinstate my account and my gift card balance immediately.
Thank you, [Your Name] [Your Phone Number]”
Attach your photos and send.
What If They Deny My Appeal?
If you receive a generic “We have upheld our decision” email, do not give up. This often means a bot rejected you, not a human.
The “Better Business Bureau” (BBB) Option: If Amazon stole your legitimate money, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- Go to the BBB website and file a complaint against “Amazon.com.”
- Upload your receipt and gift card photo there.
- Amazon’s executive team often reviews BBB complaints to avoid bad press
Final Warning: Do NOT Make a New Account
If you create a new account while your main one is banned, Amazon will link them and ban the new one too. You will lose access to your Kindle books, Prime Video, and order history forever.
Fight for your original account. With the receipt in hand, you have a 90% chance of winning.
Need to speak to a human? If you can still access a part of your account, use our bypass trick in How to Contact Amazon Customer Service to get a supervisor on the phone.
