All the ones I have purchased at Dollarama for Tims & McDonalds I have not had problems with.
One Disney one the seal over the numbers peeled wrong but Disney was able to direct me how to use it.
I am also leary of gift cards and have pretty much designed my own Gift cards for family Christmas this year.
View attachment 798136
I have had bad experience with cards sold at Shell/ Petro Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart in the past.
(scammed and emptied out cards).
There are ways to mitigate this happening. Many people transfer Gift cards immediately to an account they have,,Tims card transferred to Tim account etc.
Check the back of gift cards for tampering,
Look for gift cards that are fully sealed in a pouch,, etc
Disney GC can be transferred and saved here so you know right away that the card is good ,,just keep all your receipts.
https://www.disneygiftcard.com/
How can I avoid getting scammed for a gift card?
From Google
If you get or give a gift card, here are some steps to follow:
- Buy gift cards from sources you know and trust. ...
- Inspect a gift card before you buy it. ...
- Keep the receipt with the gift card. ...
- Read the terms and conditions of the gift card. ...
- Use the card as soon as you can. ...
- Treat gift cards like cash.
- Register your gift card if you have the option.
- Save the receipt until it is used.
- Treat it like cash: If the card is lost or stolen, report it.
- Try to use it as soon as possible.
- Be wary of websites that promise to check your card's balance: you can't be sure they are trustworthy unless it is that actual merchant's site.
- Empty card? It never hurts to call and ask the store if there's a way to get the money back.
Best wishes
Mel