I personally bought 2 Walmart Visa Giftcards today. Both of them are showing up as invalid on the website. i call the number on the back and was transferred to loss management. I have to fax in a copy front and back of card, the placard, my name, phone number and support ticket # to get a response.

I went to the store and the asst. manager (manager will not be on duty till monday) was unhelpful. He even suggested that I was switching out giftcards, this after he opened the second package himself at my request and verified that the card inside the package was invalid.

Please be careful with walmart visa giftcards, smells like a scam to me.

Sharon - I am having the exact same problem. In 2008 I bought a Visa Gift Card from Walgreen's and it worked great, so I did the same thing this year. I activated it and attempted to use it online but it will not work. I get the same message about technical difficulties. I don't know what to do next.

Walmart clerk did not advise purchaser of activation number on the receipt. Fortunately he found the receipt and provided us with the numbers that don't work. Thanks Nita for the headsup on the deactivation.
I hate Walmart and the rip-off capitalism it stands for!

I am very unhappy with Walmart gift cards. We received $150 in Walmart Visa gift cards. We went to use them less than six months later and found they had "expired". In reading the material included with the card it mentions that fees would not be taken until after 13 months on unused balances. When I took them back to Walmart they directed me to the customer service number located on the back of the card. When I called the number it is a completely automated system, unless you want to pay an additional fee to talk to someone. Also the "expired" cards can be replaced for a $5.00 fee. So in order to use our gift we will have to lose $10 with the 2 cards we received plus any additional amounts if I talk to a live person. Seems like poor business practices to slide an "expiration date" on an otherwise valid card just to make additional money. Bad Walmart!

This is yet again one of many ridiculous advices to cater to the lowest common denominator. Common sense tells you not to buy a gift card from a company that is falling on hard times. Think now is a good time to buy one from Circuit City? I don't think that concern applies for retailers that are financially stable. Wal-mart, and other reputable firms are safe and good gift card candidates. And if it's the retailer you're worried about - there's always the option to get a vanilla visa or AMEX gift card that's literally accepted EVERYWHERE.

Meanwhile, I'll watch out for Clarks helpful tip on not to touch a hot iron..

I can validate the Walmart Gift Card scam. The cashiers know how to keep your money. After you buy the gift card, examine your receipt very carefully AND go to the service desk and ask for a balance check on each gift card. It is a hassle, but less embarrassing that being accused of stealing blank gift cards.

Just as with any 'gift' always ask for a gift receipt to give with it...