How to Check and Protect Your Prepaid Visa or Mastercard Gift Card Balance
Checking your card balance immediately after receiving a prepaid Visa or Mastercard gift card is the first step toward safeguarding its value. Always use the exact balance-check page printed on the card or its packaging. Fraudsters create look-alike websites to harvest card details, so confirm the domain spelling and the HTTPS padlock before entering any numbers.
Best Practices for Balance Checks
- Locate the issuer’s official site or toll-free number. Both are printed on the back of every legitimate card.
- Type the URL manually. Avoid search-engine links or sponsored ads, which may redirect you to phishing pages.
- Enter only the required fields: the 16-digit card number, expiration date (MM/YY) and three-digit CVV.
- Capture evidence. Screenshot the balance page or save the confirmation email for future reference.
- Reject unusual requests. Official portals never ask for Social Security numbers, selfies, bank logins or “verification” fees.
Card Security Tips
- Photograph the front and back of the card in case of loss.
- Activate and register the card with your billing address to enable online purchases and facilitate replacement if it is lost or stolen.
- Bookmark the verified balance-check page for faster, safer access next time.
Official Balance-Check Pages (Visa & Mastercard Gift Cards)
| Issuer / Program | Balance-Check URL | Customer Service Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla Gift | https://balance.vanillagift.com | 1-833-322-6760 |
| GiftCards.com (BHN) | https://www.giftcards.com/balance | 1-833-800-0550 |
| GiftCardMall / MyGift | https://mygift.giftcardmall.com | 1-877-426-2551 |
| MastercardGiftCard.com | https://balance.mastercardgiftcard.com | 1-833-623-4266 |
| MyPrepaidCenter | https://www.myprepaidcenter.com/login/card | 1-877-227-0956 |
| PrepaidGiftBalance (U.S. Bank) | https://www.prepaidgiftbalance.com | 888-853-9536 |
| GetMyBalance (EML) | https://www.getmybalance.com | 1-800-755-0019 |
| PerfectGift.com | https://www.perfectgift.com/check-balance | 877-448-4438 |
| Commerce Bank Gift Card | https://www.commercebank.com/checkmygiftcard | 1-866-946-3017 |
| Navy Federal CU Visa Gift | https://www.navyfederal.org/mygiftcard | 1-866-262-7438 |
| TD Bank Visa Gift | https://visaprepaidprocessing.com/TDBank/Gift/Pages/Home.aspx | 1-888-294-2249 |
| UMB “MyGift” Visa | https://visaprepaidprocessing.com/myGift/Pages/Home.aspx | 1-866-304-1164 |
| First Citizens Bank Visa Gift | https://visaprepaidprocessing.com/FirstCitizens/MyReward/Pages/Home.aspx | 888-323-4732 |
| Netspend Prepaid Gift | https://www.netspend.com/account/login | 1-866-387-7363 |
| MyBalanceNow (Target Visa/Mastercard) | https://www.mybalancenow.com | 1-877-867-4873 |
Store & Entertainment Gift Cards (Selected List)
Most retailers offer their own secure balance portals. Always rely on the URL printed on your physical or digital card.
| # | Brand | Balance URL | Support Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Starbucks | https://www.starbucks.com/card/balance | 1-800-782-7282 |
| 2 | Kroger | https://www.kroger.com/checkGiftCardBalance | 1-800-576-4377 |
| 3 | Walmart | https://www.walmart.com/account/giftcardbalance | 1-888-537-5503 |
| 4 | Target | https://www.target.com/guest/gift-card-balance | 1-800-544-2943 |
| 5 | Amazon | https://www.amazon.com/gc/balance | 1-888-280-4331 |
Quick Fraud-Proof Checklist
- Spell the domain exactly—watch for swapped letters or extra dots.
- Confirm the HTTPS padlock before entering any card details.
- Balance inquiries are always free; abandon any page that demands payment.
- Legitimate portals ask only for card number, expiry, CVV and occasionally ZIP code.
- Bookmark the verified balance page once you have confirmed it is genuine.