Goal present playing cards typically require activation earlier than they can be utilized for purchases. This course of sometimes includes verifying the cardboard’s steadiness with Goal, both on-line or via an automatic telephone system. A newly bought present card, as an illustration, may need a sticker or scratch-off space revealing a code wanted for this verification.
This safety measure protects each the giver and the recipient. Activation helps forestall unauthorized use if a card is misplaced or stolen earlier than it is given. It additionally confirms the cardboard’s legitimate steadiness, assuring the recipient of its worth. Traditionally, present playing cards have been easier and sometimes did not require activation. Nonetheless, as fraud and theft turned extra prevalent, activation emerged as an ordinary follow throughout most main retailers to reinforce safety and shopper confidence.