Nothing kills the excitement like checking your newly activated Target Visa Gift Card and seeing $0.00. Below are the four most common reasons this happens and exactly how to fix each one.
Contents
- Cashier Forgot Final Key
- Barcode-Swap Tampering
- Delayed Batch Posting
- Immediate Fraud After Activation
1 – Cashier Forgot the Final Activation Key
Symptoms: receipt shows “Visa Gift Card $50” but no approval code. Fix: return with card + receipt within 24 h; Guest Services can re-submit activation instantly.
2 – Barcode-Swap Tampering
Scammers peel a low-value card’s barcode and stick it over a high-value card. Your money loads onto their plastic instead. Spot it early by matching the last four digits on the back to the receipt.
3 – Delayed Batch Posting (Rare but Legit)
Weekend activations sometimes sit in Visa’s batch queue until 02:30 AM Eastern. Balance appears after the nightly batch close. Wait 6–8 hours, then re-check.
4 – Immediate Theft Right After Purchase
If MyBalanceNow shows unfamiliar charges within minutes, freeze the card (IVR option 2), file a dispute, and request replacement plastic. Recovered funds post within 7–10 days.
Independent fan site — data verified June 2025.
