Gift cards are widely used around the world as a convenient method for giving prepaid value—whether as gifts, rewards, or stored credit for shopping. One brand name that often surfaces is GiftCardMall, along with its MyGift service for activation and balance checking. But many users report confusion, frustrating experiences, and warnings. In this article we will explore in depth:
• What GiftCardMall and MyGift are
• How the activation and balance-checking process works
• Common complaints and positive user feedback
• Risks, legitimacy, and red flags
• Tips and best practices for using these gift cards safely
• Final thoughts: is GiftCardMall / MyGift a service you should trust?
________________________________________
What Is GiftCardMall and What Is MyGift?
GiftCardMall is a platform that sells prepaid gift cards, including Visa-branded cards, Mastercard gift cards, and store-specific cards. The MyGift service linked to GiftCardMall is intended to allow users to activate, register, and check balances for their gift copyright. Gift Card Mall+2giftcardmall.officedepot.com+2
In practical terms, the process typically involves:
1. Purchasing a card (physical or electronic)
2. Registering or activating it (often through the MyGift portal or via phone)
3. Checking the balance via a website interface
4. Using the card at merchants that accept the type of gift card (Visa, merchant-specific, etc.)
Over time, GiftCardMall has also shifted from using a direct “/mygift” path to integrate more of the gift card services into GiftCards.com. giftcards.com Some users have noted that giftcardmall.com/mygift now redirects to giftcards.com/check-balance pages. FlyerTalk
________________________________________
How Activation, Registration & Balance Checking Work
Understanding the correct sequence is important to avoid card rejections or failing transactions. The typical flow is:
• Activation: Some cards require activation after purchase. This may involve entering the card number, expiration date, CVV, ZIP code, or other identification.
• Registration: For making online or mail/telephone purchases, many merchants require that the card be registered with name, address, phone, and email to verify identity. If unregistered, online orders may be declined. giftcardmall.officedepot.com
• Balance Check / Management: Through the MyGift portal or an equivalent page, users enter their card details to view remaining balance and transaction history. Gift Card Mall+1
• Merchant Use: Use at point of sale (swipe/insert) or online transactions, reducing the balance by the purchase amount. If a purchase exceeds the available balance, some merchants allow split tender (combining payment methods). giftcardmall.officedepot.com
Important Points / Fees:
• If the card is inactive for 12 months, a monthly fee (e.g., $4.95) may be charged, reducing balance over time. giftcardmall.officedepot.com
• The card does expire, and once zero balance is reached or after the printed “valid thru” date, it may no longer be usable. However, if funds remain after expiration, GiftCardMall may issue a replacement card with updated expiry. giftcardmall.officedepot.com
________________________________________
User Reviews, Complaints & Red Flags
Mixed & Negative Feedback
GiftCardMall has a large volume of negative reviews across trust sites:
• On Sitejabber, GiftCardMall holds an average rating of 1.1 stars from 310 reviews. Many users report missing funds, “drained after activation,” or inability to redeem card value. SiteJabber
• On copyright, numerous users accuse the company of fraud. One reviewer received a $300 card but found that only $11 remained. copyright+1
• On PissedConsumer, GiftCardMall is rated 1.4 out of 5, with many reporting disappearing balances or lack of customer support. PissedConsumer
• Reviewers on ResellerRatings claim the company never delivers valid cards and may take money without order fulfillment. ResellerRatings
These patterns raise serious red flags. Many complaints follow a consistent narrative: users register and activate cards, then find that their balance is zero or the card is declined. Some victims claim internal exploitation or fraudulent misuse of newly activated cards. PissedConsumer+3Trustpilot+3SiteJabber+3
Some Positive / Resolved Reviews
There are a few users who reported successful resolution:
• One user on copyright said they had issues but were reimbursed with a new card with the correct balance after about two weeks. copyright
• Some users say the process works smoothly if the card is used immediately and properly activated. Reddit+1
While these are minority reports, they show it is possible for the system to work for many users—if everything is done correctly and timing is favorable.
________________________________________
Legitimacy & Risk Assessment
Is GiftCardMall / MyGift legitimate? The answer is: sometimes—but with significant caution.
Evidence for legitimacy:
• The “MyGift — Check Your Balance” portal exists on the official GiftCardMall domain. Gift Card Mall
• GiftCardMall’s transition into GiftCards.com suggests an established business infrastructure. giftcards.com
• Some users do successfully activate and redeem cards without incident. Reddit
Major concerns and risks:
1. Numerous complaints of theft / draining shortly after activation suggest either internal fraud or vulnerabilities in how new card data is handled.
2. Poor customer support: many users report being ignored, unresolved cases, or slow response.
3. Scam impersonation sites: Many fake domains mimic “mygift.giftcardmall” or “giftcardmall/mygift” to phish card numbers and CVVs. Users are often misled into entering sensitive data on these clones. YouTube+1
4. Domain reputation: giftcardmall.com is not BBB accredited. Better Business Bureau
5. Fee structure and expiry rules: The monthly inactivity fee (after 12 months) and expiration rules may surprise users who assume “gift card = lifetime credit.” giftcardmall.officedepot.com
Given these circumstances, it’s fair to say the platform has legitimate components but is frequently abused or malfunctioning in practice. Many of the worst outcomes come from misuse, phishing, or poor activation.
________________________________________
Tips for Using GiftCardMall / MyGift Safely
If you decide to use a GiftCardMall / MyGift card, here are essential safety tips:
1. Buy only from trusted, official sources—avoid deep discounts from third parties.
2. Activate immediately, don’t wait days. Delay could lead to unauthorized use.
3. Register / verify your card with your name, address, email, etc., especially before using online.
4. Check balance often, especially within the first 48 hours. Watch for dips or unexpected transactions.
5. Use small test transactions first to verify the card works.
6. Document everything: screenshots, activation confirmation, email receipts.
7. Avoid entering data into similarly named websites—always confirm the URL is official.
8. Monitor, don’t let the card sit unused—inactivity fees may erode balance.
9. If fraud suspected, act quickly: contact Giftcardmall mygift merchant, issuer, or support with documentation.
10. Prefer smaller values for risk: avoid placing large sums on one card you haven’t tested.
________________________________________
Use Cases & When It Makes Sense
GiftCardMall / MyGift is more suitable when:
• You receive a card as a gift and want to redeem it.
• You are buying a gift card as a present, not an investment.
• You only plan to use it at reliable merchants locally.
• You are comfortable with some risk and actively monitor usage.
It is not recommended as a method for storing large sums, or as a “discounted credit card substitute,” especially in regions where verification or merchant acceptance may be finicky.
________________________________________
Final Thoughts & Recommendation
GiftCardMall / MyGift is a mixed bag. On paper, it offers a convenient gift card service with activation, balance checking, and merchant flexibility. In reality, user reports of disappearing balances, poor support, and fake phishing sites paint a cautionary picture.
If you choose to use it:
• Do so with small amounts
• Ensure activation and registration are properly done
• Monitor balance immediately
• Be extremely cautious of look-alike phishing websites
Until the platform (or company) addresses the recurring fraud and customer support issues, most users would be safer opting for better-established gift card providers with stronger reputations, stricter security, and clearer recourse.