Gift cards can be a blessing for the holiday shopper but, in some cases, they can a headache for the recipient, says the B.C. Crime Prevention Association.

The B.C. Crime Prevention Association advises people to check the expiry date on gift cards before buying them.
(CBC)

Unlike other provinces, retailers in British Columbia can set their own expiry date on their gift cards so those who are purchasing them, as well as the recipients, need to do their homework, said Valerie MacLean, executive director of the BCCPA.

"Find out the policies the retailer has for gift cards," she said. "What is the expiry date? Is there one?"

People are advised to check the cards carefully, she said.
 
"After buying a gift card, ask the cashier to scan the gift card to activate it. You'll probably get a receipt or a slip of paper saying it has been validated."

It's also important to buy gift cards from a reputable source and not a third party, MacLean said.

When buying gift cards online, people should make sure they're dealing with the retail store's own website, she said.

Figures from the Consumers' Association of Canada say Canadians spent $1.8 billion on gift cards in 2006, and the amount is forecast to exceed $3 billion this year.