So you’ve altered your gift card program to adhere to new mandates set forth by the Credit Card Act of 2009 and are ready to sit back and revel in the sales? Not so fast!!

Contrary to what many merchants and restaurant operators may believe, the gift card requirement “buck” doesn’t stop with the provisions of the Act itself; state laws come into play as well.  How? Simply put, the Act doesn’t prevent states from enacting more stringent laws that give consumers additional leeway and/or protection when purchasing and using gift cards. For example, states can mandate that gift cards cannot expire for seven years after they’ve been purchased, rather than for five years as required by the Act.

Some states, such as Massachusetts, already have stricter gift card regulations in place, and others may follow suit. Bottom line: Check into the gift card laws of those states in which you do business, to ensure that you’re in compliance with both state and Federal laws. Continue to track state requirements down the road, as they may change with time.  And as always, consult your knowledgeable pcAmerica representative with any questions or issues.