Shocking! Walmart Gift Card Activation Turns Into a "Scrap Card"?
Are you a shopping enthusiast? As the largest retailer in the world, it’s s afe to say that Walmart can satisfy all your shopping desires. Here, you can use gift cards to purchase a wide range of goods, from food and household items to electronics, clothing, furniture, and toys.
Therefore, Walmart gift cards are available for purchase at many stores and websites. You can give them as gifts to friends and family, and you can also use them in place of cash for purchases, providing a convenient and potentially discounted shopping experience.
However, despite Walmart gift cards having no expiration date and the promise of never expiring, there has been a disturbing trend of issues with Walmart gift card activation, resulting in cards becoming nothing more than worthless plastic.
This happened to Samantha, who received two Walmart gift cards worth $500 each for Christmas. She put the cards in a drawer and went on vacation. Weeks later, when she attempted to use them at Walmart, the cashier informed her that both cards had been used – one was completely depleted, and the other had only $4 remaining.
Samantha was flabbergasted,she had gone out of the country during the vacation. Therefore, it’s impossible for her to spend the money on the gift card. She called Walmart gift card customer service to explain the situation and was told that it was possible her cards were stolen.
While experiences like Samantha’s are uncommon, it is essential to remain vigilant to safeguard your interests.
Perpetrators’ Methods:
Thieves typically take gift cards from the store display, scratch off the protective stickers to get the card’s code and PIN. Replace the sticker with a new one, and put the card back on the display. When they notice the card is activated or loaded with money, they immediately use it for online purchases or exchange it for cash on card trading platforms.
When you purchase a gift card, you can ask the cashier to ensure it is sealed and unopened.
Certainly, there have been instances of theft, but with adequate security precautions, you shouldn’t be overly concerned.
Protective Measures:
- When purchasing a physical gift card, check for signs of tampering, such as scratches, covering, or broken packaging.
- Ensure you keep the card’s scratch-off protective layer on the back intact and do not expose the PIN.
- Register your gift card on Walmart’s official website to create an account to monitor the card’s balance and protect it.
- Use your gift card soon after activation. Walmart typically imposes certain security restrictions on physical gift cards and requires the purchaser to activate them manually after purchase. You will receive a receipt with an activation number and the card amount at the time of purchase. So it’s best to use the card soon after activating it.
- Keep the receipt from the gift card purchase, which may be useful if you need to report theft or resolve issues.
Walmart Gift Card Activation Methods:
- If you purchase a gift card at a Walmart store, the cashier can activate it for you at the checkout counter. Hand the card to the cashier, who will handle the activation process and link the gift card to your shopping account.
- If you purchase a gift card on Walmart’s official website, you will usually receive an email with activation instructions after checkout. Follow the instructions provided in the email, which may require the gift card number and PIN.
- If you buy a gift card using Walmart’s mobile app, you can activate it through the app. Open the app and follow the provided instructions, usually requiring the gift card number and PIN for activation.
- You can activate your gift card over the phone by calling 1-800-411-7942 . And following the verification process through the activation email received from Walmart.
Conclusion:
Walmart gift cards offer many benefits due to their convenience, flexibility, and practicality. They are like a free pass to an unlimited shopping symphony, leading us into a vast world of shopping. With the information shared in this article, you should understand how to protect your gift card.
Lastly, may everyone enjoy the shopping pleasures that gift cards bring to life. If you’re looking for a secure and more affordable way to purchase a Walmart gift card, Ecokey is a good option.
