How To Activate a Prepaid Gift Card
What is Prepaid Gift Card?
The Prepaid Gift Card, which is pre-loaded with a certain amount of money by the one gifting it, works like a Debit Card. It can be used to make online purchases or for shopping at physical stores that accept the card.
How To Activate a Prepaid Gift Card
Call the phone number on the front sticker or on the back of the card to activate it by phone. Provide the 16-digit card number, expiration date, and 3-digit security code. Visit the link on the front sticker or on the back of the card to activate it online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my prepaid gift card to work?
If you’re wondering how to activate a Visa gift card, the good news is they are already activated and ready to use after they’ve been bought. So once you’ve been gifted a card, almost all of the work has been done for you — just make sure you sign the back of your card before using it!
How do I know if my prepaid gift card is activated?
If your card requires activation before making purchases, there will be a website printed on the front or back of the card, either directly onto the card or onto a sticker. Your card is probably ready to use and doesn’t need activation if you don’t see a sticker or other indicators.
How long does it take for a prepaid Visa gift card to activate?
Many Visa Gift cards are activated automatically upon purchase and may be used immediately. However, some Visa Gift cards must be activated by the recipient before they can be used. Be sure to sign in the designated area on the back before making your first purchase.
Do all prepaid cards need to be activated?
If you don’t register your prepaid card, you may not be able to use some of the prepaid card’s features. You may also have fewer protections in the case of loss or theft. Some providers require you to register your card upon purchase, while others ask that you register after you get the card.
How much does it cost to activate a prepaid card?
Most prepaid cards charge monthly maintenance fees around $10, which is similar to checking account fees that can cost up to $15 a month. But you may also pay a fee to open your prepaid card, typically around $5.
How to use prepaid gift card online?
Using your Visa Gift card in stores and online
In a store, you’ll just slide or insert your Visa card to pay. For an online checkout, you’ll enter your Visa gift card’s 16-digit number, expiration date and CVV in the appropriate form field.
Do prepaid gift cards expire?
Yes, prepaid cards can expire. The expiration date is typically on the front of the card, below the 16-digit card number, or on the back of the card. If your prepaid card is tied to an account with a balance, you won’t lose the money in your account, but will need to order a replacement card.
Can prepaid gift cards be tracked?
The only way a gift card could be traced is through receipts for purchases. Egift cards cannot be traced back to a specific person unless they are tied to personal identifying information.
What are the disadvantages of prepaid gift cards?
Prepaid Debit Card Cons
- Money may be lost as a result of inactivity. Some prepaid debit cards require the card to remain active for it to continue to have value.
- Fees may be incurred by prepaid debit cards.
- Prepaid debit cards do not yield any interest.
- Prepaid debit cards might not be reloadable.
Why do fraudsters use prepaid cards?
Prepaid cards are also a common method of payment used in financial scams. While reloadable cards do require the user to provide some personal information, prepaid cards often aren’t easily tied to specific identities. That makes it easy for fraudsters to use them for money laundering.