Can You Recover a Lost or Stolen Gift Card? Here's Everything You Need to Know

Gift cards are convenient, but they’re also vulnerable – and if you lose one, the path to recovery depends heavily on preparation. The good news: replacement is possible. The catch: retailers require proof that the card was yours in the first place.

What Proof You’ll Need to Replace a Lost Gift Card

Before a retailer will issue a replacement, you’ll need to demonstrate ownership. According to gift card expert Shelley Hunter, founder of GiftCardGirlfriend.com, you must have at least one of the following:

The original activation receipt is your strongest proof. If you purchased the card yourself, keep this document. If someone gave it to you, ask them to locate their receipt. The gift card number itself serves as backup documentation – many retailers can look up a card using this alone. Storing the number in your mobile wallet creates a digital backup that’s easy to access if the physical card goes missing.

“Without one of these three pieces of information, you’re essentially out of luck,” Hunter explains. Retailers won’t be able to verify the card existed or belonged to you.

How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Gift Card

Once you’ve gathered proof, contact the retailer without delay. Most maintain toll-free customer service lines listed on their websites. Representatives can verify ownership, deactivate the lost card, and process a replacement.

The timeline and fees vary by issuer. Some retailers, like Simon Malls, handle replacements entirely by phone if you provide the card number. Others, including Starbucks, require you to have registered the card online beforehand. Store-branded gift cards often replace at no cost, while bank-issued versions typically charge fees – American Express replaces lost cards free if you have the card and security numbers, but Wells Fargo charges $7.50 per replacement, with $15 for check disbursement of remaining funds. SunTrust MasterCard replacements run $5.

If the retailer insists on a replacement fee, ask whether a direct refund of remaining balance is available instead – this route is sometimes free.

When You Don’t Have Proof: Alternative Recovery Options

Not all situations are recoverable. If you’ve never recorded the card number and the receipt disappeared, your options narrow. However, a few workarounds exist:

If you already spent part of the balance online, your purchase history may be tied to your account, allowing you to identify the card. For cards ordered online that never arrived or were stolen from your home, contact your credit card company or PayPal for a dispute claim. Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may also cover theft of gift cards stored at home – check your policy details.

Protect Your Gift Cards Before Problems Happen

Prevention is far more efficient than recovery. Start now with these strategies:

Document your cards immediately. Use a dedicated system like Your Wallet Recovery Kit to record gift card numbers, expiration dates, and security codes alongside other wallet information. Store this list securely at home or in the cloud.

Register cards with retailers. Starbucks, Land of Nod, and Crate and Barrel offer registered cardholders automatic balance protection and replacement privileges. Registered cards also unlock rewards – Starbucks lets you earn points toward free coffee, sandwiches, and pastries with each purchase.

Store numbers digitally. Apps like GoWallet, Gyft, Google Wallet, and MyWallet Pro keep card numbers password-protected and accessible anywhere. Many apps also show balances and send reminders to use your cards.

Use cards promptly. An estimated $750 million in gift card value went unspent in 2014 alone. Using your card quickly prevents it from being lost or forgotten – plus, if the retailer goes bankrupt, you haven’t lost your money.

Watch for fraud during purchase. Fraudsters scan or copy card numbers at checkout before activation, then drain the balance online instantly. Inspect new gift cards for scratches or signs of tampering. As an alternative, purchase e-certificates directly from online retailers to eliminate this risk entirely.

What If You Don’t Want the Gift Card?

Not all gift cards are keepers. If you received one for a store you dislike or can’t access, you have options.

Return it for a refund. Many retailers treat gift cards like regular merchandise and accept returns under standard policies. Check with your specific store.

Sell it on the secondary market. A thriving network of resellers – including GiftCardRescue.com, Raise.com, CardCash.com, Cardpool.com, and ABCGiftCards.com – buys unwanted cards. They verify the balance and pay 75-92 percent of face value via check or PayPal deposit. Use GiftCardGranny.com to compare rates across multiple resellers before committing. Read reviews carefully and avoid platforms like Craigslist, which are prone to scam activity – eBay offers stronger consumer protections.

Swap with someone else. GiftCardSwapping.com connects registered users who want to trade cards. You might exchange your $50 Target card for someone’s $50 Home Depot card, for instance.

Donate it. Schools, charities, and nonprofits gladly accept gift cards for supplies or client assistance. Gift Card Giver, an Atlanta-based nonprofit, redistributes donated cards to organizations and individuals in need.

State Cash-Out Laws

Some states require retailers to refund small balances in cash. If your card has less than $5 remaining, check whether your state mandates a refund – California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington all have such laws. The National Conference of State Legislatures maintains an online chart with state-by-state regulations.

The bottom line: losing a gift card isn’t necessarily permanent if you prepared properly. But whether it’s proactive documentation or learning to navigate replacement policies, the difference between recovery and loss often comes down to what you do before the card disappears.