Reply To: Post new Amex statement credit offers here!

[EwanG]

Optimus Prime wrote:

TGLoyalty wrote:

Yup that’s really odd.

Did you keep all the packaging? Any signs of a scam? Is the barcode you scanned different?

Yes, do still have all the packaging. It doesn’t seem to have been tampered with.
…
Apple says the receipt should match the serial number on the card, not the envelope.

I had exactly the same recently, Apple GC at Morrisons.
Outer packaging serial number did not match inner GC slip. After being passed round the houses (as you have been @optimus-prime) it was resolved by Apple Support. Hold onto till receipts, outer and inner as you will need to send them photos.
Essentially your GC credit has been loaded to a gift card elsewhere. There is a batch of cards out there where inner and outer codes are mismatched.
Apple will give a goodwill payment for the hassle, if pushed.