Gift cards are a go-to present: easy to buy, easy to use, and almost universally appreciated. But when your loved ones live far away, a big question pops up: Is it actually safe to send gift cards through the mail?
Short answer: usually, but there are risks you should take seriously, especially compared to mailing a check. Let’s break down the pros, cons, and safer alternatives.
Every year, billions of letters and packages make it through the mail without any issues. But mail theft does happen, and thieves often look for easy-to-resell items, like gift cards. Postal inspectors investigate thousands of mail-theft cases a year, including ones where employees or thieves specifically targeted cards loaded with money.
Even if your card does arrive, there are a few built-in risks:
- They’re like cash in an envelope. If someone steals or finds the gift card, they can usually spend it before anyone realizes it’s missing.
- Insurance often doesn’t fully protect you. USPS and private carriers generally don’t guarantee full replacement value if a gift card is lost or stolen in transit.
- Mail delays add stress. Holiday volume and weather can cause delays, which means a birthday or holiday gift might not arrive on time.
So while you can mail gift cards, you’re assuming a bit more risk than you might realize.
How to Mail a Gift Card Safely
There are times when a physical gift card still makes sense: maybe it’s for a specific local store your recipient loves, or you’ve already bought the card. If you decide to mail one, you can reduce the risk:
- Use a greeting card or folded cardstock.
Hide the shape of the card so it doesn’t look obvious through the envelope. - Avoid writing “gift card enclosed” on the envelope or obvious “gift card” packaging.
That’s basically an invitation to tampering. - Use a padded or rigid mailer for higher-value cards.
It’s less likely to tear and looks less like a standard letter. - Send it with tracking (and maybe insurance).
Using a trackable service makes it easier to know where the envelope is, and some services may allow you to insure the contents. - Keep the activation receipt and card details.
Write down or photograph the card number, PIN, and original receipt. If something goes wrong, the issuer may be able to help. - Consider an e-gift card instead.
For many retailers, a digital gift card sent by email or text is more secure than a physical card traveling through several hands in the mail.
- Drop it inside the post office. Not in a random blue collection box, to reduce the risk of someone fishing mail out of the box.
Even with these precautions, though, gift cards still have one big weakness: once the value is spent, it’s gone and hard to trace.
Why Checks Are Often a Safer Alternative
If your goal is simply to send money as a gift, especially through the mail, checks offer several advantages over gift cards. This is where options like holiday gift checks really shine.
1. Checks are tied to a specific person
A check is made out to a named recipient. If someone else steals the envelope, they can’t easily cash the check without leaving a trail or matching ID. That built-in friction makes checks less attractive to thieves than gift cards, which can sometimes be used anonymously.
2. You can stop payment if it’s lost or stolen
If you mail a check and it never arrives, or you suspect it was taken, you can contact your bank and place a stop payment (usually for a small fee).
With a gift card, especially one not registered or easily tracked, there’s often no way to “undo” the loss.
3. Checks create a clear paper trail
You can see:
- When the check was deposited or cashed
- The bank it went through
- An image of the check with your recipient’s endorsement
If something looks wrong, you and your bank have more information to work with than you would with a missing gift card.
4. More flexibility for the recipient
A gift card locks your recipient into one store or chain. A check lets them:
- Deposit it into their bank account
- Use it to pay bills
- Spend it anywhere they choose
That flexibility can be especially helpful during the holidays or tight financial times.
5. Checks can still feel festive and personal
Some people worry that a check might feel “less fun” than a gift card. But with holiday-themed checks, you can keep the excitement while gaining the safety benefits.
With gift checks, you can choose cheerful seasonal designs, tuck them into a nice card, and include a personal message. It’s still a thoughtful, themed gift, just with more security and flexibility than a standard plastic card.
When Checks Are the Smarter Choice Than Mailed Gift Cards
While both options can work, checks are often the better choice when:
- You’re sending a larger amount of money.
Losing a $20 gift card hurts; losing a $300 one really hurts. A check with stop-payment protection is safer for bigger gifts. - You’re mailing to a less-secure mailbox or shared address.
Dorms, apartment mailrooms, or shared mailboxes can be riskier. A check is less tempting and harder to misuse. - You’re not sure the card will be used.
Many gift cards go partially or completely unused. A check can go directly into savings or be used where it’s most needed. - You want proof the gift arrived and was used.
With online banking, you can see when your check clears. That can give you peace of mind without asking, “Hey, did my gift ever show up?”
Mailing Checks Safely (Especially Holiday Gift Checks)
The same common-sense precautions you’d use with gift cards also apply to checks:
- Use a normal envelope, nothing that screams “money inside.”
- Tuck the check inside a greeting card so it’s not visible if the envelope is backlit.
- For high-value amounts, consider a trackable mail service.
- Double-check the recipient’s name and address before mailing.
If you’d like your gift to feel seasonal and extra special, consider using holiday gift checks. They combine the practicality and security of checks with festive designs that match the spirit of the season.
So…Is It Safe?
- Is it safe to send gift cards in the mail?
It can be, especially if you use tracking and pack them discreetly, but there’s still real risk. - Are checks safer in many situations?
Yes. Because they’re tied to a specific recipient, can be stopped if lost or stolen, and leave a clear paper trail, checks often provide better protection and flexibility than physical gift cards.
If you want your mailed gift to be both secure and celebratory, consider the festive check selection of Holiday Gift Checks from Checkworks. For the holiday and for you, it may be the best of both worlds.
