OP here. The security code was not visible - I am astute about gift cards, so I was sure about this. I did not scratch off the silver covering until trying to use the card online. It happens to be Macy's, so I appreciate PP who told me to do something about it. I plan to - thanks again! I had no idea that Macy's specifically had issues.

Did you have to scratch off the "residue" to see the security code on the card? If not, someone did that in the store and stole the information. If you did have to scratch it off, it either didn't activate correctly or she gave you a dud.

When I was working retail while in college, we had a few employees who pulled this scam around the holidays because people are usually too busy to notice if the security code is visible. After getting several calls by angry customers, the store and district managers pulled the security footage and watched them recording the card info. (and this was at a store where the cards were in stacks of $25, $50, $75). They pulled a stack off the rack, scratched the silver gunk off the security code area and wrote all the information down. Then they'd just keep checking those card numbers online to see when one had been activated and quickly use the funds.

Anonymous wrote:Does the gift card say $0 balance (so, it was activated at some point, but no money is on it)?

Or was the gift card never activated to begin with?

Can't you look up the gift card transactions online? I do this all time with cards like Starbucks, Kohls, etc.
Maybe your DH used the card.

OP should answer this.....it is a good question.

This happened to us with cards my mom gave us - turns out Macy's had been hacked and tons of gift card info stolen. They refunded us the money.

No. If it happens again I would.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd want to know if gift cards I bought didn't work.

+1

OP here. I would want to know, also. In fact, when my immediate family had an issue, they let me know, and I was grateful, and did not purchase from that vendor (or seller) again.

MIL is pretty defensive, unfortunately. She likes to say "white" when I say "black" - she is kind of hung up on doing that. (I can't explain it, she takes anything from me personally, and gets irrational, no matter how nice I am; as if she is looking for an excuse to be nasty, or just can't help herself...). I don't have much contact with her, but I sincerely appreciate the thought.

I suppose I could tell DH to mention it to her? I don't know if he will, but it is worth a try. MIL is extremely frugal, and I would hate for her to be throwing money away.

If she's likely to have a negative reaction, if it were me I wouldn't bring it up. Not worth it, imho.