Understand your rights with Gift Cards

A “mall card” is a gift card that can be used at multiple stores in a shopping centre. These cards are allowed to charge fees. However, when you buy one, there is specific information that must be given to you, by law.

THE LAW

By law in B.C., most retail gift cards, also known as prepaid purchase cards, can’t have expiry dates or fees. There are exceptions, and mall cards fall under that category. While mall cards can charge fees, they must tell you about those extra fees. If you are buying a mall card in person, this information is often included in a document along with the card.

Here is what must be disclosed to you (according to the Prepaid Purchase Cards Regulation and the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act): • All restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions, redemption or replacement of the prepaid purchase card, including any permitted fee or expiry date; • A description of how you can obtain

information about the card and balance; • At the time of purchase, mall cards may

charge up to $1.50 service fee. This information must be on the card itself: • Post-purchase fees may only begin 15months after purchase; • At your request (in writing), post-purchase fees may be delayed for an additional three months; • The fee cannot exceed $2.50 per month.

WHY IT MATTERS TO YOU

1. No surprises down the road. If you know about the post-purchase fees, you won’t be surprised when you see your balance starting to decrease after 15 months. 2. You know how to check your balance. That way, you always know how much money is remaining on the card. 3. You know that you can request a three-month extension before the fees are charged. If you need a bit more time to spend the remaining balance without fees, you have the option to use the extension. 4. You can make the call if a mall card is right for you. After hearing about the fees, you might decide to purchase a gift card from a specific retailer directly instead.

ABOUT CONSUMER PROTECTION BC

We are responsible for regulating specific industries and certain consumer transactions in B.C. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. Explore: consumerprotectionbc.ca for details.