Holiday Gift Card Warning

Whatever happened to gift cards being designed to maximize the recipient's holiday tidings of great joy? Today, Christmas gift cards come with many drawbacks, limitations and even rip-offs. Between the fine print and holiday thieves’ new era in scams, gift cards have become downright outrageous.

A Consumer Reports survey named gifts cards as the second most common holiday present of 2006. However, more than 23 million Americans still have not redeemed last years’ unused gift cards. Crooks are celebrating the season with a new criminal mastermind.

The swindle starts in the aisles of large and small retailers. Thieves record the bar codes of the gift cards. Once the gift cards are purchased, bandits go in for the kill by using the bar code to redeem the gift card's value before the recipient ever receives the gift certificate. Just imagine, sending a gift card to someone, only for them to be embarrassed at the check-out.

But for the sake of argument, what happens to gift cards that are not absconded by criminals? Gift cards are issued by some financial institutions and banks; while, others are directly assigned by the retailer. However, both come with many drawbacks and a number of restrictions:

• Some gifts cards charge fees on cards that are unused more than a year. For example, certain major department stores are known for charging an additional fee on gift cards older than a year.

• Expire after a year. The renowned spa, Mario Tricoci details the expiration date of their gift certificates. Once the card expires, it no longer has any value.

• Require the recipient to use their credit card to redeem the gift. NetFlix uses gift cards as a marketing tool. The online DVD rental behemoth recommends its customers to give the gift of NetFlix. But when the recipient goes to redeem the gift, they are required to input a credit card.

Regardless of what kind of gift card consumers choose to buy this holiday season, The Consumer Journal recommends the following smart holiday gift card tactics:

• Purchase gift cards from a secure location

• Once the card has been purchased, request that the clerk verify the balance of the gift card

• Maintain all gift cards and gift receipts

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