The volunteer Fire Police Patrol in Cos Cob was disappointed and angry to find out that five $500 American Express gift cards it had purchased to serve as raffle prizes had been handed out with only a few dollars left on each card.

Officials say the cards were purchased at an American Express travel office in Manhattan, and some of them had been kept in a safe during the time they were allegedly used.

In a statement issued by American Express, the company claimed there are rare circumstances in which cards are sold without the full balance. The company is looking into the Cos Cob patrol?s case and has said it will refund customers who are able to verify their claims.