Gift Card Tips: How to Buy Safely and Avoid Scams

Last updated November 6, 2026

To buy gift cards wisely, purchase them directly from the store or a trusted retailer. Check the packaging for tampering and keep your receipt. Never pay a stranger, a bill or the government with a gift card, because that is a common scam.

Gift cards are easy, popular presents. A few smart habits protect your money and the person who receives the card.

Key Takeaways

• Buy from trusted sellers, not online auctions.
• Inspect the card and packaging before you pay.
• Keep the receipt and card number in a safe place.
• No real agency or company asks for payment in gift cards.
• Use cards soon so they do not get lost or forgotten.

On This Page

• Types of Gift Cards
• How to Buy Gift Cards Safely
• How to Spot Gift Card Scams
• Smart Ways to Use Gift Cards
• What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
• Gift Card Rules You Should Know
• Store Cards vs Prepaid Cards
• Pick the Right Gift Card
• Make a Gift Card Feel Personal
• Protect Yourself From Tampering
• Track Your Gift Card Balance
• What to Do With Unwanted Gift Cards
• Gift Cards for Kids and Teens
• Lost or Stolen Gift Cards

Types of Gift Cards

Store cards usually have fewer fees. Network cards may charge a purchase fee.

How to Buy Gift Cards Safely

1. Buy From the Source

Purchase cards from the store itself or its official website when you can.

2. Check the Package

Look for torn wrapping or a scratched code area. Pick a card from the back of the rack.

3. Read the Terms

Check for activation fees, inactivity fees and expiration dates.

4. Keep the Receipt

Save your receipt and a photo of the card. You may need them if the card is lost.

How to Spot Gift Card Scams

Scammers pretend to be from the government, a utility or tech support. They pressure you to pay with gift cards right away.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) explains what to do if you paid a scammer.

Real businesses and agencies never ask you to pay this way. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) explains how to avoid gift card scams.

• Buy from the official store
• Check for tampering
• Read fees and terms
• Keep the receipt
• Photo the card number
• Never pay bills with gift cards

Smart Ways to Use Gift Cards

Use gift cards soon after you get them. Add digital cards to your store app or wallet.

Combine small balances in one purchase. Some stores let you check and merge balances online.

Use this calculator to track what is left on a card.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

If a card is lost or stolen, call the issuer right away. Have your receipt and card number ready.

Report gift card scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If you paid a scammer, contact the card company immediately. Then report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Gift Card Rules You Should Know

Federal law protects many gift card buyers in the United States. The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act sets the main rules. Most store gift cards cannot expire within five years of purchase.

Some states add even stronger rules. A few ban expiration dates or fees on store cards entirely.

Fees can still apply in some cases, such as inactivity fees after a year of no use. Read the card’s terms before you buy.

Promotional cards, like a free bonus card, often follow different rules. They may expire much sooner.

Store Cards vs Prepaid Cards

Gift cards come in two main types. Each has its own pros and cons.

Prepaid network cards often charge a fee when you buy them. Some also charge fees later, so read the package.

Pick the Right Gift Card

A thoughtful gift card shows you know the person. Think about where they actually shop.

• A coffee shop card for a daily coffee drinker
• A bookstore card for a reader
• A grocery card for a busy family or student
• A streaming or app store card for a teen
• A restaurant card for a couple who enjoys date nights

Avoid cards for stores far from where the person lives. An unused card wastes your money.

Make a Gift Card Feel Personal

Gift cards can seem impersonal. A few small touches make them special.

• Tuck the card into a handwritten note.
• Pair it with a small related item, like a mug with a coffee card.
• Wrap it in a small box to add surprise.
• Write why you picked that store.

Some people prefer experiences. A card for a movie theater or bowling alley gives them a fun outing.

Protect Yourself From Tampering

Scammers sometimes tamper with cards on store racks. They copy the numbers and wait for a buyer to load money.

Look at the package closely before you buy. Watch for torn wrapping, scratched personal identification number (PIN) areas or stickers placed over the numbers.

Pick cards from the back of the rack. Fewer shoppers handle those cards.

Ask the cashier to scan the card in front of you. Keep the receipt that shows the card number and value.

Track Your Gift Card Balance

Many people forget about gift cards in a drawer. Unused balances add up over time.

• Keep all your gift cards in one wallet or envelope.
• Write the balance on the back with a marker.
• Save digital cards in a store app.
• Check balances on the store’s official website.

Use cards soon after you receive them. A store could close or go out of business.

What to Do With Unwanted Gift Cards

You may receive a card for a store you never visit. You still have options.

• Regift it to someone who shops there.
• Use it for household basics, if the store sells them.
• Donate it to a local charity or school fundraiser.
• Sell it through a trusted gift card exchange.

Gift card exchanges usually pay less than face value. Compare offers and use well-known sites only.

Never sell a card to a stranger online who asks for the numbers first. Once they have the numbers, they can drain the card.

Gift Cards for Kids and Teens

Teens often love the freedom of choosing their own gift. A gift card lets them do just that.

Talk to young people about spending wisely. A gift card can be a small lesson in budgeting.

Watch out for game and app store cards. Scammers sometimes target young gamers with fake offers for free cards.

Lost or Stolen Gift Cards

Treat gift cards like cash. Many stores cannot replace a lost card.

Some stores will help if you registered the card or kept the receipt. Call customer service right away and share the card number.

Take a photo of the front and back of each card when you get it. That record can help if you lose the card later.

Gift Card Mistakes to Avoid

Some gift card habits can cost you money. Watch out for these common mistakes.

• Buying cards from racks that look damaged
• Throwing away the receipt
• Forgetting about cards for years
• Buying cards from online auction sites

Keep receipts until the card is fully used. They can help if the card stops working.

Make Gift Cards Easy to Use

A gift card is only useful if the person remembers to use it. A few tips help.

Choose cards for stores the person already visits often. Add a short note with ideas for what they might buy.

Remind them to save the card in their phone wallet if the store allows it. This makes it harder to lose.

Use Your Own Cards Quickly

Spend gift cards you receive within a few months. Some stores close, and cards can lose value over time.

Check balances every few months.

Test Yourself

Frequently Asked Questions

Do gift cards expire?

Many have long time limits, but rules vary. Check the card terms.

Is it safe to buy gift cards online?

Yes, from the official store website. Avoid auction and resale sites.

Can I get money back for a gift card?

Some stores allow cash back for small balances. Ask the store.

What if someone asks me to pay with a gift card?

Stop. It is almost always a scam.

Can gift cards expire in the United States?

Under federal law, most store gift cards cannot expire within five years of purchase. Some states add stronger rules.

Are prepaid gift cards worth the fee?

They give the receiver more freedom, but fees add up. A store card often costs nothing extra.

How do I check my gift card balance?

Visit the store’s official website or app, or ask a cashier.

What should I do with a gift card I will not use?

Regift it, donate it or sell it through a trusted gift card exchange.

Wrapping Up

Buy gift cards from trusted places and keep your receipts. Your gift will be safe and easy to enjoy.

Stay alert with our guide to holiday scams. Learn what to do after the season with our tips to return holiday gifts.

Editor’s Note

This guide is accurate as of November 6, 2026. Gift card terms vary by issuer and state.

Spot an error in this article? Please contact us at support@digieh.com or read our Corrections Policy.

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