- The recipient's correct email address
- A store or brand you trust
- A credit card (easier to dispute than a debit card)
Buy from the store's own website or app
Buy e-gift cards directly from the store or brand (for example in the App Store app, or the retailer's own site), not from resale or auction sites or a social media ad. The FTC warns cards from auction sites may be fake or stolen. (FTC)
Double-check the email address
Type the address carefully and confirm it with the person if you're not sure. A typo can send the gift to a stranger. Many stores let you schedule delivery for Christmas morning; Apple, for example, charges you right away even if delivery is scheduled. (Apple: send a gift card by email)
Keep the receipt
Save the order confirmation email (with the order number). If the gift goes missing, the store needs it to trace or resend the card.
Received one? Redeem it from the store's own app
Instead of tapping links in an email you weren't expecting, open the store's own app or type its website yourself, then enter the code there. For Apple cards: App Store > your photo > Redeem Code. (Apple: redeem)
⚠️ Careful: A real gift card email never asks you to pay a fee, enter your bank details or "verify" your card number to unlock a gift. That's phishing. See what is phishing.Never use gift cards to pay someone
Not a seller, not a "tech support" agent, not a government office. Read our holiday gift card scams guide.
Checked against the official help pages as of October 2026. Menu names can change with updates; if a label looks different, look for a similar one.
Related game: Scam or Legit?. Related explainer: What is phishing, and how do I spot it? .