Is it a true 'gift card'?3 of 9If you're grabbing that card off a rack in a store (or even buying online), read the fine print before you buy. While the cards and packaging look the same, some of those cards are gift cards. Others are reloadable prepaid cards.With a gift card, your recipient can just slap it down and spend the money. But the reloadable cards often require users to register and share personal information such as Social Security or bank account numbers.If you're aiming for a gift card, steer clear of the word "reloadable." Instead, be sure the card has the word "gift" on it, says Crystal Wright, spokeswoman for the Network Branded Prepaid Card Association, an industry group. Related Articles:2010 Gift Card Study results2010 Gift Card StudyNew rules for gift cardsGift card regulationsRelated Links:5 ways to spend gift cardsGift cards at a discountGift card rule changesCARD Act 'gotchas' advertisement
If you're grabbing that card off a rack in a store (or even buying online), read the fine print before you buy. While the cards and packaging look the same, some of those cards are gift cards. Others are reloadable prepaid cards.
With a gift card, your recipient can just slap it down and spend the money. But the reloadable cards often require users to register and share personal information such as Social Security or bank account numbers.
If you're aiming for a gift card, steer clear of the word "reloadable." Instead, be sure the card has the word "gift" on it, says Crystal Wright, spokeswoman for the Network Branded Prepaid Card Association, an industry group.
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