Christianne V.
UPDATED: local gift card issues
Recent Update: I received a new card to resolve the previous issue. Was contacted and am changing my review to reflect the outreach. Appreciated the company reviewing and correcting this. Thank you. --------Earlier review: I received a $100 local gift card from Giverrang (mylocalgiftcard.com) as a birthday gift. There was already a delay in receiving the card, but since the expiration date listed was 8/2028, I assumed there was plenty of time to use it. When I recently checked the balance, I discovered it had been drained to $0 because the company had been deducting a $5 monthly inactivity fee—even though the card had never been used. The entire $100 gift was quietly wiped out by these charges. What makes this especially concerning is that the inactivity fee was neither clearly disclosed on the paperwork that came with the card nor prominently listed on the website when the card was purchased. Most people buying gift cards as presents assume the value will still be there when the recipient eventually uses it, especially when the expiration date is years away. Under the Credit CARD Act of 2009, federal law requires that gift card fees, such as inactivity charges, be clearly and conspicuously disclosed, and they cannot begin unless the card has been inactive for at least 12 months. If those requirements aren’t met, the fees may violate federal consumer protection law. In my case, my sister-in-law spent $100 on a gift that was effectively charged off due to inactivity before it was ever used. A gift card that silently drains its balance defeats the entire purpose of giving a gift. People should think very carefully before purchasing these cards. What looks like a $100 gift can end up being worth $0 if the recipient doesn’t use it quickly. Very disappointing and potentially misleading experience.
Reply from GiverrangMar 19, 2026
Since December 2024 our cards no longer have inactivity fees or other fees of any kind, so the full balance of the gift remains available to be spent by the recipient indefinitely. Prior to December 2024 some of our cards did have fees, which were explained prior to purchase and printed on physical cards in full compliance with the CARD act and other laws. We contacted this customer directly and they have accepted our offer to resolve their issue.