A gift card is a form of payment that can be used to make purchases at retail stores, gas stations, restaurants, and other locations. You load money onto the card, which you or the gift cards recipient can then spend at accepted locations. Some prepaid gift cards charge a fee to purchase them.

How do gift cards get activated?

Many gift cards are activated when theyre purchased, so they dont need to be activated by the recipient. However, some do need to be activated by the recipient before they can be used. You can activate a gift card by calling the merchant or accessing the provided URL and inputting the correct activation numbers.

Do you have to put money on a gift card?

You dont have to have spent all the credit on your gift card to put more money on it – you can add cash at any point to increase your balance. You can do that where you bought it, whether thats at the store its for, or at a retailer like Kroger, which offers gift cards from multiple big-name brands.

Do gift cards work if you steal them?

If you use gift cards, be sure to keep your eyes open so you dont become a victim. Gift cards have no value until activated, so they arent usually under lock and key at the store. Thieves steal the worthless gift cards, record card numbers and PINs, and then return the cards to the shelves at the store.

How do e gift cards work?

E-Gift Cards work just like regular Gift Cards, however, a digital card with a code is emailed to the recipient. A copy of the E-Gift Card will also be sent to the purchaser as confirmation that the email was sent. E-Gift Cards are used just like regular Gift Cards online or in stores.

Why is my gift card not working?

The most common reasons are that the card hasnt been activated, the cashier is running the wrong type of transaction, the dollar amount being charged is greater than the cards balance or the credit card processing machine is bumping up the charge amount to either place a hold on the card or to allow for a gratuity.

How much money should you put on a gift card?

General etiquette is usually under $20 for casual acquaintances, like co-workers, $30-$75 for close friends and family members and more for someone like your spouse or for a big occasion, like a wedding. Always make sure that the dollar amount you give is visible on the card or write it down.

Is there a way to steal gift cards?

If gift cards are left accessible, he can simply grab the entire stack of cards, photograph the back of them, and later place them back in the tray. Then he simply checks on those numbers periodically via the restaurant or retailers website until the cards been activated.

Do e-gift cards expire?

There is no expiration date on your eGift Card. Can I change the value of my eGift Card? Sorry, you cannot change the value of your eGift Card.

What happens if a gift card is not activated?

10 Things to Do When Your Gift Card has No ValueShow Card to the Cashier. Ask What the Error Message Is. Ask For the Manager. Check the PIN. Make Sure the Gift Card is Activated. Ask for the Balance and Transaction History. Contact Customer Service. Contact the Card Issuer.More items

Why cant I use my gift card online?

If you have a problem using your gift card for online or telephone purchases, the most likely reason is that the merchants fraud screening process is matching the billing information entered at checkout with the billing information on your gift card account. If the addresses dont match, the card may decline.

Is it rude to give money as a gift?

The decision to give cash should always be with the giver, never the recipient. As with most financial matters, cash gifts should be held confidential. For the recipient to talk about somebodys cash gift is insensitive, for a giver to talk about how much they gave is classless and uncouth.

Are gift cards a bad gift?

Gift Cards Get a Bad Rap Overall, gift cards seem to be more popular among gift givers than receivers. There are also reservations about giving gift cards that might accumulate fees, decrease in value, or expire too soon. Fortunately, back in 2010 new laws governing gift cards put most consumer concerns to rest.

Can you use a gift card without the PIN?

Without a PIN, the gift card should be run as a “credit” transaction. (Please note, most gift cards–even if they are called prepaid debit cards–cannot be used at an ATM or bank to withdraw cash. Read the terms and conditions on your card to be sure.)

What do hackers do with gift cards?

The four ways that hackers use gift cards to cash in are: Use the stolen gift card balance for purchases. Use the account balance to buy egift cards and sell them on secondary markets. Convert egift cards into cash on dedicated platforms such as cardcash.com.

Can gift cards be Cancelled?

Once you have the gift card number (or as much information as you can find), call customer service for the merchant that issued the gift card. If the card hasnt been used, ask if it can be cancelled and a replacement gift card issued. (You may have to pay a fee to get a replacement card.)

How long do e-gift cards take?

An eGift card is sent and delivered electronically through email, app, or text. Delivery time can be nearly instantaneous or take up to 24 hours depending on the retailer.