The Perfect Gift - Unfair Charges

I was married at the heart of the COVID19 pandemic. I am sure you are aware of some of the challenges and losses brides/families like myself have experienced.

I wish these challenges on anyone. I received 2 cards as a wedding gift at that time and have not used them or registered them online as I was saving them to use at a time when they are most needed.

This morning, I tried to register them in order to purchase groceries due to international inflation, and I was shocked to see that charges have been taken out for a card that was not even registered. Out of the $50 that was available on both cards, only $14 is remaining.

Considering that I was not the individual who purchased the card, I had no idea that this amount would gradually decrease. This is unlike any other services I have used.

I have an Apple Giftcard since 2017 and I still have the same amount on it. This is the same process with IKEA or Presidents Choice gift cards that I received at the same time. Your prepaid visa states funds used never expirepersonally I find this quite misleading because had I not registered the card, the funds would absolutely expire.

There is a monthly maintenance fee as mentioned on the card, but it is not stated that activation occurs after the card is PURCHASED. Again, this was a gift so I would have no idea activation occurs at that time.

Since these cards are intended as gifts, there is no way for the receiver to know that they have already been activated. I sincerely assumed that the charge would begin when I first used it or even register it.

This is quite unfair and unexpected given that this was a cherished wedding gift.

Frankly I am quite upset and embarrassed as I was planning to buy food for my family at a well needed time and it turns out that I am unable to do so since I do not have the funds I imagined. As a Visa user for decades, I am utterly disappointed that this is the end result of what was to be a gift from a happy occasion.