What Do I Do If My eBay Gift Card Balance Won't Load?
If you tried to use eBay's gift card balance check tool and it either couldn't locate your gift card, showed a low balance, or just stopped working, there are several things that could be the problem. You could have made a typing mistake when you entered the redemption code, you could have lost your internet connection, eBay's server could be malfunctioning, or someone may even have stolen your card or hacked into your account.
Not only does eBay sell gift cards, but it also gives customers an online tool for checking their balance. If you tried to use this tool to check the balance of your eBay gift card and it couldn't find your card, froze up, or showed a balance that's too low, you have a problem that you should solve before you attempt using the gift card again. Keep on reading to learn how to solve that problem.
This Isn't an Expiration Problem
If it's been a while since you got the gift card, you may be wondering if the problem is simply that the card has expired. It's not, because eBay gift cards don't expire.
If eBay's Balance Check Tool Can't Locate Your Gift Card
If eBay's tool can't locate your gift card at all, enter the gift card redemption code again, just in case a typo was the problem. Make sure you typed the correct code this time by double-checking it against the code printed on your physical eBay gift card or located in the delivery email of your digital eBay gift card. You might have to scratch the security coating strip off a physical card before seeing the code.
If eBay's Balance Check Tool Freezes Up
If the eBay balance check tool just froze up when you entered the redemption code instead of either showing your balance or displaying an error message, see if your computer's internet connection is down. If it is, re-establish the connection and try again.
If the connection isn't the problem, then eBay's server probably is. Wait for the tech department to fix the problem, whatever it is. If this doesn't happen, contact the eBay customer service department and tell a representative about the issue.
If eBay's Balance Check Tool Shows a Balance That's Too Low
If the balance check tool works properly but shows a balance that's too low, someone could have stolen your gift card or its redemption code. If your gift card is a physical one, see if you still have it. If you don't, your low balance could very well be the result of theft.
If your gift card is virtual, log into your eBay account and look through your most recent orders. If you find orders you didn't place, then it's pretty likely that someone is using your gift card redemption code. They may even have hacked your account. You should change your eBay password as soon as possible.
If you think your eBay gift card was stolen or your account was hacked, you need to contact eBay's customer service department and speak to a representative. They might be able to cancel your gift card and put the remaining balance on a new card for you. They are unlikely to be able to return your stolen balance, though.
Contacting eBay
If you have a question to ask or a report to make, you can reach somebody from eBay's customer service department on the eBay help forum or by phone.
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