Visa Gift card Features

• Flexible - The purchaser decides how much to give. The recipient can use the Visa Gift card to buy what they want, when they want.
• Secure - the Visa Gift card can be replaced if lost or stolen.*
• Easy to use - When making a purchase, simply present the card to the cashier and sign the purchase receipt.
• Convenient - Use your card until the card balance is used up or until the expiry date, whichever comes first.

* Covers all Canadian-issued prepaid cards only.

Giving a Visa Gift card

The Visa Gift card is an ideal choice for birthdays, holidays, weddings, and all your gift-giving occasions for people of all ages. You decide how much money to load onto the card; they decide where to spend it.

Along with the card, the purchaser will receive important information regarding the Visa Gift card that should be given to the recipient together with the card.

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Lost/Stolen Visa card Protection

The Visa Gift card comes with protection and security features. So unlike cash, the Visa Gift card can be replaced if lost or stolen.

• Report lost or stolen cards immediately to the financial institution that issued your card by calling the toll-free number listed in the card materials you received with your card.
• The financial institution will need the Visa Gift card number to cancel the card and issue a replacement, so keep a separate record of the card number in a safe place. Refer to the card materials you received with your card for details.
• To guard against unauthorized use, be sure to sign the back of your Visa Gift card. You will be asked to sign a purchase receipt when using the card for payment.

You will notice on some cards the phrase "ELECTRONIC USE ONLY" printed on the front of the card. This means that your card must be swiped through an electronic terminal at a retail store in order to complete a purchase transaction. Because there are no raised letters on this type of card, it cannot be used at merchants who use manual imprint machines.

In addition, on some cards, the cardholder's name is optional. Instead you may see a promotional message such as "Gift Card Recipient" or "Happy Birthday," or it may even be left blank.

Using a Visa Gift card

Some cards are ready to use immediately when purchased. Others must be activated before use. Follow any activation instructions provided with your card.

Sign the back of your card to prevent unauthorized use of the card.

It's important to know your balance before you make a purchase, because merchants are unable to check it for you. If you try to purchase an item of greater value than your card balance, your card will be declined

When making a purchase:

• Present your Visa Gift card to the cashier.
• Sign the purchase receipt.

Each time you use your Visa Gift card, the total purchase amount is deducted from the card balance.

Checking your Visa Gift card balance

You can check your card balance any time, online or by phone. Refer to the back of your card or the card materials that accompanied your card for the contact information of the financial institution that issued your card.

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Using your Visa Gift card towards a purchase greater than your card balance

To make a purchase greater than the balance on your Visa Gift card, a merchant may accept a second payment method (credit card, debit card, cash or cheque) to cover the difference if their policy allows. When making your purchase, tell the cashier in advance how much to deduct from your Visa Gift card and how you will pay for the difference.