Date last updated: October 31, 2023
Protect yourself from gift card scams
To make sure your eBay gift card codes are safe from scammers, follow these tips:
- Treat your eBay gift card redemption code like cash.
- Never give or send your eBay gift card code to anyone outside of eBay.com checkout. That’s a scam.
- Your eBay gift card can only be redeemed at checkout on eBay.com.
- Do not use your gift card to pay anyone outside of the eBay platform.
Go to FTC.gov/giftcards or ebay.com/giftcardscams to learn more about gift card scams.
We will never ask you to email your personal information. Remember, if eBay needs you to update your account or provide any information, we always send a copy of our request to your Messages folder in My eBay. Always check there first.
What to do if you’ve been targeted by a gift card scam
- Contact eBay Customer Service immediately
- eBay Customer Service may ask you to forward suspicious emails about the eBay gift card you bought to [email protected] and include the first 9 digits of your eBay gift card in your message.
- Keep the eBay gift card itself and your receipt for the eBay gift card. We’ll need these in order to verify your eBay gift card.
Report the scam to Federal Trade Commission (FTC). If you’re outside the United States, you can report the scam to your local consumer protection agency or report it to econsumer.gov.
Do I need an eBay account to use an eBay gift card?
You need an eBay account registered in the U.S. and a U.S. shipping address to use an eBay gift card. You can create an eBay account at any time.
Does my gift card expire?
Your eBay gift card does not expire and there are no fees. There are limits on redeeming eBay gift cards, including time and spending threshold limits.
Where can I use an eBay gift card?
eBay gift cards can be used to buy almost anything on eBay.com. They may not be used to buy other eBay gift cards, third party gift cards, gift certificates, coupons, coins, paper money, virtual currency, or items generally considered to be “bullion” (for example, gold, silver, and other precious metals in the form of coins, bars, or ingots). Note that there are limits on redeeming eBay gift cards, including time and spending threshold limits.
Where can I buy an eBay gift card?
You can purchase eBay gift cards on eBay. Find them all here.
You can also purchase our gift cards at Kroger, Walgreens, and other retailers near you.
Can I buy eBay gift cards in bulk?
Yes, you can buy eBay gift cards in bulk here.
How do I find out how much money is on my eBay gift card?
Look up your eBay gift card balance using our online gift card Balance Checker.
Do I need a PayPal account to use an eBay gift card?
You no longer need a PayPal account to use an eBay gift card when purchasing items on eBay.
Do I need an eBay account to use an eBay gift card?
You need an eBay account registered in the U.S. and a U.S. shipping address to use an eBay gift card. Create your eBay account now or login.
How do I pay with an eBay gift card?
Find your item on eBay.com, then follow these steps:
- At checkout, find Gift cards, coupons, and eBay bucks
- Enter the 13-digit redemption code, then select Apply
- When you’re ready, select Confirm and pay
Finding the redemption code of your gift card
- If you received a digital gift card through email, the redemption code can be found by clicking “Redeem Now” in the email.
- If you have a physical gift card, the redemption code is on the back of the card. Gently scratch off the security coating to see the redemption code.
Please note, it can take up to 4 hours for your eBay gift card to be activated and ready to be redeemed.
What if my order total is less than the amount of my eBay gift card?
After using your eBay gift card, any remaining balance is attached to your eBay account.
To redeem the remaining balance, be sure you’re using the same eBay account as your previous purchase.
Where’s the email with the redemption code?
If the email with the redemption code hasn’t arrived,
- Keep in mind that it can take up to 3 hours for the email to arrive.
- Check your email spam or junk folders.
- Contact the seller—they may be able to resend the email.
When you buy a gift card for yourself using credit / debit card on eBay, the email with the redemption code goes to the email address that you provided at checkout, so make sure you’re checking the right email account.
Why wasn’t my eBay gift card accepted while paying for an item?
Here are a few things to check if your eBay gift card isn’t accepted:
- Make sure that you have an eBay account registered in the U.S. and a U.S. shipping address.
- If you used your eBay gift card once before, make sure you’re using the same eBay account as your previous purchase.
- Make sure there’s money on your eBay gift card by checking your gift card balance.
- Make sure you are not exceeding the gift card time and threshold redemption limits.
- Only four (4) incentive codes can be accepted per check-out transaction. These codes include eBay gift cards, eBay Gift Certificates, eBay Bucks, and coupons.
- An eBay gift card may not be used to purchase other eBay gift cards, third party gift cards, gift certificates, coupons, coins, paper money, virtual currency or items generally considered to be "bullion" (for example, gold, silver, and other precious metals in the form of coins, bars, or ingots). If you have any of these items in your cart when you’re checking out, an eBay gift card cannot be applied.
Where can I get help if I’m having trouble redeeming my eBay gift card at checkout?
If you are having trouble redeeming your eBay gift card at checkout, click here for some additional troubleshooting steps or to contact us.
What if I return something I bought with an eBay gift card?
If you return an item you bought with an eBay gift card, the refund is credited back to your gift card.
Is there a way to replace a lost eBay gift card?
An unused eBay gift card which has been lost, stolen, or damaged will only be replaced where required by law, when you have proof of purchase and the gift card number.
What are the terms and conditions of eBay gift cards and Gift Certificates
eBay gift cards are non-refundable and cannot be redeemed for cash, unless required by law.
eBay gift cards and Gift Certificates never expire, and there are no fees.
How do I guard against fraudulent activity?
Protect yourself from gift card scams
To make sure your eBay gift card codes are safe from scammers, follow these tips:
Treat your eBay gift card redemption code like cash.
- Never give or send your eBay gift card code to anyone outside of eBay.com checkout. That’s a scam.
- Your eBay gift card can only be redeemed at checkout on eBay.com.
- Do not use your gift card to pay anyone outside of the eBay platform.
Go to FTC.gov/giftcards or ebay.com/giftcardscams to learn more about gift card scams.
We will never ask you to email your personal information. Remember, if eBay needs you to update your account or provide any information, we always send a copy of our request to your Messages folder in My eBay. Always check there first.
What to do if you’ve been targeted by a gift card scam
- Contact eBay Customer Service immediately
- eBay Customer Service may ask you to forward suspicious emails about eBay gift card you bought to [email protected] and include the first 9 digits of your eBay gift card in your message.
- Keep the eBay gift card itself and your receipt for the eBay gift card. We’ll need these in order to verify your eBay gift card.
Report the scam to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) . If you’re outside the United States, you can report the scam to your local consumer protection agency or report it to econsumer.gov.
What if I scratched my eBay gift card code off? What if there are other issues with my eBay gift card?
Please gather the following information and items and contact the retailer where your eBay gift card was purchased:
- Your name, email address, and phone number
- A picture of the back of the gift card
- A picture of the purchase receipt for the gift card
- Your eBay account name
- The gift card redemption code, if legible
