There has been a rapidly increasing popularity of e-shopping and e-commerce for more than five years. As technology has started to introduce advanced and state-of-the-art options, people are gradually becoming used to advanced gadgets and the transition in the market of e-commerce which directly affects consumer behavior. Furthermore, because of the increased accessibility and convenience of online shopping, consumers gradually understand and familiarize themselves with the high-speed digital gadgets, novel ways of checkouts, security systems, and presenting gifts differently, including gift cards.
The innovative concept of a gift card is becoming popular as an e-commerce market. It is a new form of payment conveniently used to purchase items at retail stores, gas stations, dining restaurants, and other grocery stores. The concept involves loading the desired amount of money into the card, which you can either use or present as a gift. The person awarded the gift card can easily spend the money at any accepted shop or location. These cards are preloaded, and the recipient of the card can spend it on any activity, facility, or service but within the card’s balance limits. If you have received a gift card as a present, you can immediately start spending, but certain limitations and conditions need to be dealt with before purchasing. In most scenarios or at various locations, the retailers may ask for the personal identification number or the PIN. The PIN is ideally located on the back of the physical card and highlighted on the email received with the electronic gift card number. In specific scenarios, the PIN is not used to withdraw money from the gift card at an ATM, similar to the debit card. However, gift card recipients are encouraged to display the PIN to check the remaining card balance and retrieve a replacement card.
Where is the Pin on a Gift Card?
You can find PIN on the back of your gift card in the bottom right corner under the silver scratch-off area. Gift cards issued by department stores typically have a PIN. Additionally, the gift card PIN is the last four digits of the card number or you need to call the issuer’s phone number.
Where is the Pin Number on a Visa Gift Card?
PIN on a Visa gift card and Mastercard gift cards are located on the back of your card. Just scratch off the protective covering with a coin, and you can read the four-digit PIN.
PIN on Visa and MasterCard gift card
Visa and MasterCard gift cards changed their policies and began asking for the PINs after 2013. Contrary to tradition, the PINs are not directly located on the back of the card. Instead, the customers or the recipients of the visa and MasterCard gift cards are advised to call the customer service on the number available at the card’s back. By using the automated system, the customers can enter the 16 digit card number. After carefully following the process, the computerized system will inquire about the expiration date and three-digit security code, always located and written on the card’s back. Finally, the system will select a personalized four-digit pin code by following the procedure and fulfilling the desired requirements.
Pin using a different name
If you are presented with an American Express gift card, then these cards can operate without PINs. The American Express gift cards are equipped with a four-digit number called a card security code. The card security code is written on the card front directly above the 15 digit card number. Similarly, discover gift cards are slightly different from American Express gift cards. There is a three-digit number referred to as the customer identification number highlighted on the card’s back. The Discover gift cards are prepaid with cash and stored value cards used by recipients to make purchases around the US. These cards are accepted online and in stores as well.
Store gift cards
Gift cards that various department stores deliver come with a personal identification number. This number is easily positioned on the back of the card, but the area is hidden with silver protection and needs to be scratched off to view the PIN. For example, most departmental stores, Aeropostale, REI, Sephora, and Ulta gift cards, have the number at the back of the card and are covered under the scratch-off area. The PIN of these cards is heavily protected because of security purposes. The departmental stores make sure the numbers are tucked in well to prevent the PIN of a particular gift card from being embezzled or misused. This is done to curtail the risk of card thefts; therefore, authorization of the card before being used is mandatory. Walmart gift cards are available with pins only; however, if customers are interested in using a gift card without having a PIN, they can only consume the card in stores and not online since their official website asks for a PIN security measure.
E-gift cards
If you have received an electronic gift card, then the PIN is available on the email. If the retailers ask for customers to personalize their PIN, then the process to choose a PIN is directly available on the email and the retailer’s official website. This process can be performed online as well as on the phone.
With a growing trend of electronic gift cards, different departmental stores and retail shops have introduced and encouraged this concept to make shopping virtually easy. Smartphones are almost owned by everyone so with the help of computer checkout you can reduce the possibilities of long queues. There are no shipping costs as well, so you can quickly minimize time and money. It is perfect for those who have a busy schedule and are looking for last-minute gift lovers. Presenting gift cards is an ideal alternative for a gift and has significantly revamped the concept of shopping. The gift card recipients are supposed to find their PINs available on the back of the card hidden under the scratch panel with a coin’s help. The four digits PIN will make online shopping via gift cards easier and convenient. They are mainly required to use the gift card as a debit transaction at the point of sale. You can visit the change/set up the PIN page to change the PIN settings. Payments processing stations may vary at different outlets, restaurants and gas stations, etc.
