Q&A for How to Activate a Gift Card

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Is there a gift card that doesn't require me to expose my social security number to theft?

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Some gift cards require you to confirm your identity with your social security number, but many don't! There are definitely options.

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Question

I bought a wrong gift card and I never used it. Can I return it for another one?

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Many stores allow you to make returns within a certain timeframe—often 30 to 90s days. While some stores may not accept gift card returns (even if they're not used), some will with a receipt. Check the back of your card for terms and conditions, and call the store where you bought the card to confirm that they'll take it back. If the store won't take it back, see if any of your friends or family will buy the card off you; maybe one of them likes to shop at that store!

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Why can't I pay bills with my card? The website is not working.

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Some companies don't accept gift cards, unfortunately. Many gas and electric companies only accept debit and credit cards or bank accounts. If you're not sure if the bills you're trying to pay are payable with gift cards, try calling the company directly to ask.

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I only have top of the card but actually not the actual gift card I do have the receipt of purchase Is there a way I can still use it for a purchase

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Unfortunately, unless you registered the card before you lost it, you probably can't use it to buy anything. To be safe, if the merchant allows it, register your card as soon as you get it, so that if you lose it or it gets stolen, you can still use it.

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What is the difference with the number on the back and the number on the front? Can the card be used with just the front number?

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It depends on the gift card merchant. Some cards only require you to use one pin number to activate it, while others may require you to input a few different numbers. Follow the instructions on the card for specific information, or reach out to the merchant's customer service.

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How long does it take to register?

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It'll vary depending on the card, but it will likely only take a few minutes. If you have any issues activating the card and need to call customer service, or if you're trying to activate online and your service is slow, it may take a bit longer.

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What if the gift card was used to scam me?

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If you believe someone is trying to scam you via your gift card, trust your gut! If someone steals your pin, they may be able to use your gift card without your permission. If anyone asks you to pay them in gift cards, be suspicious: only scammers will ask you to pay them in gift cards! Report any fraud or suspected fraud to the merchant from which you purchased the gift card and to the Federal Trade Commission.

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When do I scratch off the card?

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If your card has a scratch-off back, scratch it off when you're ready to activate the card. Be sure to never purchase a gift card if the back is already scratched off!

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How do I activate a Fortnite gift card?

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To activate a Fortnite gift card and redeem V-Bucks, you'll need an account on EpicGames.com. Once you've made an account, log in and hover over your name to reveal the drop-down menu. Select "V-Bucks Card" from the menu, and then select "Get Started" to activate your card. You'll need the pin number from the back of your physical gift card to activate it.

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When giving someone a gift card as a present, do I also give them the receipt?

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It might come off a little tacky to include the receipt with your gift, but there's nothing wrong with being safe. You can also give the gift card alone, and hold onto the receipt in case the recipient of the card has any trouble activating it.

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How do I know if my card is still active?

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Check the terms and conditions or the back of the card to see if there's an expiration date. Most gift cards don't expire, but some may! If you're not sure how much money is on the card, visit the website or call the toll-free number listed on the card to check the balance. You can also wing it and try to make a purchase using the card, and the cashier will tell you whether there's money on it or not.

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Can someone buy a gift card for someone else and take a picture of the numbers on the back so the other person can redeem it, or do you need to give them the physical card?

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Most gift cards will be redeemable online as long as you have the activation information, so if the recipient of your card wants to use it to make an online purchase, there will likely be no issue, but if they want to use the gift card at a store in person, they'll probably need the physical card.

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Question

There is no number to activate my card.

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If there isn't a number to activate your card, you may have to activate it online. Go to the website printed on the gift card, or reach out to the merchant's customer service for more information.

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My store did not charge me for the gift card she gave me. Do I have to take it back to have it activated?

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If you weren't charged for the gift card you bought, there's a good chance it wasn't activated.

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What can I do if my gift card is stolen?

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Unfortunately, you can't do much to retrieve a lost gift card, unless you've registered it ahead of time. Many businesses let you register your card to prevent theft. Contact the customer service phone number or visit the merchant's website to register it

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Why is my eBay gift card showing zero?

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Many gift cards don't expire, but some do. If your gift card indicates there's no money on it and you believe this is incorrect, it's possible your card expired. The card may also be defective, or, if you received it as a gift from someone, it's possible they gave you the wrong card by mistake. For more information, reach out to an eBay customer service representative.

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Question

How do I find out how much a gift card has on it?

Kaitlyn Wislang

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If your card doesn't specify the amount that is loaded on, look at the website for the merchant to see if you can check online. Alternatively, call the customer service team or visit the merchant in-store to get the amount checked.

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Question

What should I do if my gift card won't work?

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If you have the receipt, you could go back to the store and make an inquiry at the customer service desk. If you don't have the receipt, you could try the customer service desk anyway and try to explain the situation. You could also call the company or location where the gift card is valid (or where it was distributed) to ask what you should do in the event of a dud gift card. They should be able to look it up, see if it's been used, and issue a replacement if not.

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Question

How do I make sure a gift receipt was activated if it isn't showing on my store receipt?

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Visit the website for the store, as some companies let you check online if the card has been activated or not. Alternatively, return to the store to get the card checked.

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Question

I have a gift card code online and it's not ativated yet, how can I do that

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Follow the directions on the back of the gift card. Go to the URL and enter the card identification number and the activation code to activate the card.

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Question

How do I find out if a gift card has been registered with the company it is from?

Jasmine Wills

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On all gift cards there should be a number on the back. If you call this you can get access to all the information about it.

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How do I activate a DirecTV Walmart gift card?

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Your best options are to look for information on the DirecTV website or ask a Walmart clerk online or at a physical location.

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Question

Where do I find the 16 digit number?

Kaitlyn Wislang

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The gift card identification number and activation code should be on the back of the gift card. If you cannot find the number, contact the customer service team for the merchant.

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What does URL stand for?

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The abbreviation URL means Uniform Resource Locator. It is a human readable address for resources (such as files or web pages) on your computer or on the internet, pretty much anywhere on computers or in storage.

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