Choose gift cards wisely this holiday season – National Consumers League

December 1, 2008

Washington, DC- Although gift cards have grown in popularity and simplified holiday gift-giving stress for many consumers, not all gift cards are the same, warns the National Consumers League. This month, NCL is offering advice for reading the fine print and choosing the best gift cards in its “2008 Consumer Calendar Tips: Do We Have Tips for You!”

The nation’s oldest consumer advocacy organization, NCL works to educate people about how to make wise decisions in today’s marketplace. Each month, NCL’s Web site, www.nclnet.org, will feature the calendar and tips for the month. Covering a range of subjects from medication safety, to avoiding scams, the tips are sponsored by major companies, government agencies, and organizations. The December tips about keeping out unwanted guests were sponsored by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. This month’s tips offer advice and information about gift cards and includes a tear-out wallet card for easy access to OCC’s Customer Assistance Group. NCL recently issued a “Gift Card Holder’s Bill of Rights,” calling on banks and retailers to make their policies and cards more consumer-friendly by lowering fees and reducing restrictions.

The print version of the calendar was distributed to consumers free of charge through agencies and organizations around the country. There are no printed copies of the calendar remaining.

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.