There’s a New Gift Card Law Coming to Michigan

Gift cards are pretty much my fallback when I have no clue what to buy someone. Grab a card, slap some money on it, and let them figure it out.

But imagine spending $50 on one, only to find out somebody stole the money before the person you gave it to could use it. Yeah, it happens, and it’s BS.

Michigan just signed two bills into law to help crack down on that kind of fraud.

What Does Michigan’s New Gift Card Law Cover?

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According to WNEM, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed two bills on October 5 that add gift card fraud to Michigan’s Organized Retail Crime Act.

Basically, Michigan is adding gift card fraud to its organized retail crime law. People who steal card information, tamper with cards, or use that stolen information could face a felony carrying up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.

When Does Michigan’s New Gift Card Law Take Effect?

We haven’t been able to verify the exact date yet, but the available bill text calls for a 90-day wait after enactment. Based on the October 5 signing, it looks like early 2027.

Check Gift Cards Before You Buy Them in Michigan

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The Michigan Attorney General’s Office says thieves can copy the numbers off a gift card, then put the packaging back together as if nothing happened. You buy it, load it with money, and they drain it before you even get to use it.

Before you grab one off the rack, give it a quick look. Torn packaging, missing stickers, or a PIN that’s already showing? Take it to an employee and pick a different card.

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And hang on to that receipt. If the money’s gone before you get to use it, contact the gift card company right away. You paid for a gift, and somebody else walked off with it.