Gift cards are an easy and convenient way to purchase products and services, but their balance could go to waste if it is not used within their expiration date.
Your unwanted gift cards can help you to recoup cash quickly online if they’re no longer needed, here’s some helpful advice on how to safely do it:
Check the Card’s Balance
Gift cards may lose value before their expiration date even if they remain unused, due to specific terms and conditions associated with redemption either online or at physical locations, that dictate how much a recipient can make from using the card. In such instances, their value can quickly depreciate over time.
There are various legitimate ways of turning gift cards into cash. These methods include selling them directly, using an established exchange website or app and trading the cards back and forth among acquaintances or friends. Though each method requires diligence in order to avoid scams, all can provide an easy and convenient way of turning unwanted or generous gift cards into tangible funds.
Before selling gift cards, it is always essential to check their balance first. You can do this by visiting either the retailer’s official website or the printed on back of the card; price-checking websites allow you to compare offers from various sellers and find the best price; while safe storage provides protection from potential risks while regularly reviewing remaining balance for any discrepancies or discrepancies.
Verify the Card’s Expiration Date
Some gift cards may expire within a set period, leaving some of their value unredeemed. Expiry dates vary according to card type and issuing company; more information can be found either on the card itself or within its terms and conditions for purchase.
As it relates to gift cards, scams that involve lost or stolen funds should also be awared. Fraudulent sellers may offer gift cards at much lower value than they claim on online marketplaces; similarly it is best to purchase cards from reliable sources, such as local businesses or websites with URLs beginning “https” and featuring padlock icons in their browser bar.
Make sure your gift cards are protected by asking customers for proof of ownership, such as a receipt or the card’s number series (4356). Also ask buyers to upload clear pictures of both sides of their card so you can confirm its legitimacy before selling or giving out as a present.
Make sure the expiration date has not passed; this will give buyers time to use up all the value on the gift card before it goes expired. Some retailers allow expired cards to be reactivated at an additional fee or will provide new funds – an important consideration.
Verify the Card’s Number Series
No matter the reason for converting gift cards to cash or wanting the cash in your wallet, there are a variety of secure and legal ways you can do it. When selling or trading them online, first check for its verification number: this three-digit number should appear after and to the right of its number series and will help distinguish legitimate sites from ones who could scam your hard-earned cash away.
Price-checking websites or apps are the ideal way to verify a card quickly and effectively, providing a comparison between current offer prices for its value, including retail and marketplace offerings, making it easier for you to spot scams that often plague online marketplaces.
Fraudsters employ various tactics to acquire gift card data and profit from selling those cards on the secondary market, including physical theft such as pickpocketing or tampering with inactivated cards in stores, reselling stolen gift cards to unsuspecting buyers on marketplaces or auction sites, or manipulating gift card balances online.
Raise and Gameflip are popular gift card exchange sites. Both provide competitive prices and fast payout, though Gameflip charges higher fees than others. CardCash, however, provides a more automated trading experience and pays you upfront rather than waiting for buyers to verify your cards and approve payment.
Verify the Card’s Security Code
Gift cards provide consumers with access to a diverse array of goods and services, providing the flexibility needed for them to select what best meets their individual needs. Unfortunately, certain situations necessitate the conversion of digital tokens into physical cash – whether due to unanticipated expenses, preferring cash transactions over Amazon’s platform, or needing something outside its realm, legitimate methods exist for making gift cards cashable.
Popular online marketplaces and gift card-specific websites often provide access to trusted offers from brands, retailers, and restaurants – some aggregating options from multiple vendors for increased choice for customers. Some also provide seamless shopping experiences making it easy to buy, send or redeem e-gift cards.
Keep an eye out for any schemes targeting gift card holders, like scammers stealing payment details and gift card codes from online shoppers, which could later be sold on the dark web or used in phishing or hacking attacks. To protect against these schemes, always double-check your security code before making purchases online.
Some sites, like GCX, accept gift cards from over 1,300 retailers and pay you via direct deposit or PayPal as soon as they have been verified. Others, like CardCash, take care of selling gift cards by purchasing and reselling them themselves on your behalf.