Gift cards remain one of the most popular items for the holiday season, and Americans are expected to spend billions on gift cards again this year.  First Savings and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) offer these tips to help consumers buy and use branded gift cards—those cards that carry the Visa or MasterCard logo, as well as other major general purpose gift card brands that are accepted by many merchants.

“Now, more than ever, people really appreciate receiving gifts they can use,” said Todd Hurley, First Savings Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Officer.  “Branded gift cards are a thoughtful and practical option because they are being accepted by an increasing number of merchants.  But with these cards—as with any credit or debit card—we want our customers to have the information they need to use them wisely and avoid fraud.”

Branded gift cards look like a credit card, but are limited by the dollar amount loaded on the card by the purchaser and should be treated as cash. They differ from retail gift cards, which are issued by and accepted solely at the issuing retailer.

First Savings reminds consumers how important it is to know the facts when buying or using branded gift cards. Some tips include:

• Know the card’s terms and conditions, as they may vary. For example, there may be fees for dormancy, transaction, inactivity, ATM, balance inquiry or reloading. These fees and other terms and conditions are usually printed on the card.
• Some cards have an expiration date that may appear on the card itself, on the card’s sleeve, at the retailer’s or on the issuer’s website.
  • Keep the card’s account number and original packaging, which includes the customer service number, in a safe place.  You may need this information should your card become lost or stolen or there is a need to obtain a replacement card.
  • Sign the card in the space provided.
  • Whenever possible, register your card online.  This will help if you have any service issues.       
  • Before using the card, know your balance. Most issuers offer toll-free voice response systems where you can check your balance. Funds are immediately deducted from the available card balance when you make a purchase.
  • Most major retailers accept split payments.  You can pay with the gift card and pay the balance of a purchase using another form of payment. But you have to tell the merchant the exact amount you want deducted from your gift card.
  • It’s a good idea to keep gift cards after the card balance has been used. You may need to show the card should you make a return or an exchange.
  • When using a gift card at service locations, such as restaurants, be sure you have the available balance to cover incidentals and tips.
  • When using a gift card at a gas pump or any automated self-service terminal, be sure there are enough funds to cover the entire purchase. Even if the card is short by only a few dollars, the transaction may not be approved.

“Community bankers work throughout the year to offer our customers the products and services they want and the information they need to safeguard their finances.  We want to be especially sure during the holiday season that our customers who receive a branded gift card know how to protect it and themselves and enjoy the full value of their gift,” Hurley said.

For more information, visit www.icba.org.  

About ICBA

The Independent Community Bankers of America, the nation’s voice for community banks, represents nearly 5,000 community banks of all sizes and charter types throughout the United States and is dedicated exclusively to representing the interests of the community banking industry and the communities and customers we serve. For more information, visit www.icba.org.

In recognition of National Protect Your Identity week on Oct. 17-22, First Savings is urging customers to pay particular attention to identity theft prevention.

            “First Savings works diligently to protect our customers from identity theft,” said Fred Schea, President and CEO of First Savings. “We use a combination of safeguards to protect customer information, such as employee training, strict privacy policies, and rigorous security standards. But we can’t do it alone. Customers can help us protect them by following a few simple precautions.”

            “We  encourage customers to follow some simple steps to avoid becoming a victim:

• Shred or tear up statements and other personal information. Criminals may be able to get access to your accounts and personal information by “dumpster diving” (retrieving canceled checks, deposit receipts or bank statements from dumpsters or trash bins). Better yet, utilize online bill pay and electronic statements to eliminate having personal information sent through the mail.
• Keep an eye out for any missing mail, particularly account statements and bills that do not arrive when expected.
• Review your monthly accounts regularly for any unauthorized charges through the Internet, phone or ATM statements.
• Order free copies of your credit report once a year from each of the credit reporting agencies to ensure accuracy. Go to the Federal Trade Commission’s authorized web site www.annualcreditreport.com for your free credit report.
• Choose to do business with companies you know are reputable, particularly online. When conducting business online, use firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software and do not respond to unsolicited requests for personal information.
• Protect your PINs and passwords. Use a combination of letters and numbers for your passwords and change them periodically.
• Report any suspected fraud immediately to your bank and the fraud units of the three credit reporting agencies.”

            A special website is available that offers consumer tips, steps for victims and a state-by-state list of Protect Your Identity Week events. There’s also an online ID quiz that can help determine how prone one may be to identity theft. Click here to visit the site: http://www.protectyouridnow.org.