Tango Card review: Not a scam, but close

I would avoid any offer that involves Tango “cards.” *

THRICE now I’ve not been able to use them because of how complicated they are.

First, you have to keep a close eye on the expiration date: Cards are often not good for long — 3 months tops.

Second, there are too many confusing, arcane hurdles you must clear online to redeem them. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tango created it that way intentionally so you 1) err and don’t get your reward; 2) Press the wrong option, and suddenly the value of your card is gone; 3) you give up because it takes so long to redeem.

Third, the most recent time it said I have no balance left — that I redeemed it for a pizza delivered to my home a few days ago. No such pizza ever came to my home nor did I order one.

It’s a shame these cards are so useless: Employers and nonprofits use them as “rewards” for above and beyond efforts. Mine have always been because I donated blood or platelets.

Getting a virtual Tango “card” to do what is promised resembles safe cracking. By an amateur. While police sirens wail in the distance.

* There is no actual card, just a LOT of stuff you have to do on the Internet.