Christmas Gift Card Restrictions An Unpleasant Surprise for Some

The office of Maryland's attorney general, Joseph Curran, recently issued a warning to people who received Christmas gift cards over the holiday season. The Attorney General stated that consumers should check each store's policy before using the Christmas gift cards. Many retail stores have reported that most recipients fail to realize that gift cards have an expiration date and certain other restrictions.

"To avoid unpleasant surprises with gift cards, shop around," the Attorney General stated. "Many retailers' gift cards never expire and never impose service fees that will reduce the face value of the card." He also advised consumers to check for hidden fees, since some retailers deduct $2 per month from the balance of an unused Christmas gift card after 12 months. In some cases, Curran warned, if customers buy merchandise that costs less than the amount on the card, the remaining balance isn't refunded as cash. Terms and conditions of holiday gift cards are most often found on the reverse side of the card and sometimes on the packaging.