Are Apple Gift Cards Safe to Redeem?

> I have to wonder what the hell happens to these Apple Accounts that are deactivated for suspected fraud. You would think that once escalated high enough in Apple’s customer support system, someone at Apple could just flip a switch and re-activate the account. The fact that Buttfield-Addison’s account has not yet been restored, despite the publicity and apparent escalation to Executive Relations, makes me think it can’t be restored.

This is terrifying speculation.

Do not redeem!

Related:

Apple has locked my Apple ID, and I have no recourse. A plea for help

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46252114