FAKE APPLECARE APPLE CARE - A warning to buyers

Similar to the iTunes codes scam, crafty sellers have been reselling fraudulent Apple Care codes online. These codes are obtained by either:

1. Key generators which generate codes or
2. Purchased via fraudulent credit cards

The best part is, Apple accepts the codes when you enter them online. You, the buyer are happy, and leave the seller a positive feedback. All good, right? Wrong.
After 1-2 months, Apple discovers that the code is invalid, and they revoke the registration - so your warranty is invalid. Additionally, you lose the ability to file a claim with PayPal since it's well beyond the 45 day claim period. So you've just lost hundreds of dollars for nothing.

Unscrupulous sellers are going one step ahead - they are printing authentic apple care boxes with the bogus code # in the package. These custom printed boxes do not have a serial # for the purchase (authentic boxes have the serial # outside) To complicate matters more, these sellers are powersellers - some with 10,000+ positive feedbacks! So what do you do to protect yourself?

Here's how to stay smart:
1. As soon as you receive your applecare code, call Apple customer service and verify that everything is ok. NEVER buy a code online if the seller will not give you the serial # of the box it came in - VERY IMPORTANT!
2. If you do receive a boxed package - check to see if the serial # is located outside. Call AppleCare and let them know the serial # and if it is valid.

Everyone loves to save money - when we were selling AppleCare for 5% below Apple's prices.. we always received questions like 'Why the hell is your applecare so expensive? I can buy it for $100 cheaper!' - well now you know why.

UPDATE:

Here is another method that sellers are taking advantage of customers. There are sellers who are buying real Applecare packages, opening the box - and then selling the codes to customers for half off. All good, right?

Not really, once the customer buys the product, receives the code and activates it - after a few months the seller applies for a refund on the AppleCare! (for the remaining months of warranty) The seller will get his/her money back, while the customer will lose any remaining warranty and will have no ability to get his/her money back from the seller.

If the customer contacts Apple, apple will ask to see a receipt and the serial # of the packaged box - obviously the customer has no such thing as the package was purchased under the seller's name - so only the seller will get his/her refund.

PS - We have received feedback from other sellers that we have put this guide up so that customers will come to us to purchase boxed AppleCare. First of all, we do not sell AppleCare (boxed) anymore and have not sold any since the last 2 years. Our business model is geared towards pro-audio and musical instruments.

We do sell legal US iTunes vouchers and gift cards (online delivery) with a scan of the card showing the scratched out code - http://www.legalitunescards.com