Did you get gift cards for Christmas?

As always, be sure to search for coupons, coupon codes or store discounts/sales before redeeming your gift card to get maximum value!

Some tips for using gift cards from the FTC (www.ftc.gov)

Tips for using gift cards

If you have a gift card, be smart about how you use it:

Read the terms and conditions when you get the card, and check for an expiration date or any fees.

If you didn’t get the card’s terms and conditions, the original purchase receipt, or the card’s ID number, ask for them from the person who gave you the card, and then keep them in a safe place.

Treat your card like cash. If your card is lost or stolen, report it to the issuer immediately. You may be out the entire amount on the card. Some issuers don’t replace the cards, but others do if you pay a fee. If an issuer charges for a replacement card, you’ll most likely need to document the purchase and provide the ID number on the card. Most issuers have toll-free numbers to report lost or stolen cards.

Use your card as soon as you can. It’s not unusual to misplace gift cards or forget you have them; using them early will help you get the full value. However, should your card expire before you’ve had a chance to use it or exhaust its value, contact the issuer. They may still honor the card, although they may charge a fee to do that.