![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/warning-over-absolutely-outrageous-christmas-gift-card-surcharge-that-could-see-shoppers-lose-cash/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2022-british-heart-foundation-experienced-784588627.jpg&description=RIP OFF Warning over 'absolutely outrageous' Christmas gift card surcharge that could see shoppers lose cash SHOPPERS looking to use a gift card to buy Christmas presents will want to make sure they aren't decreasing in value. One4All provides gift cards that can be used across a wide variety of retailers. 1 People will already be thinking about Christmas presents for this year Credit: PA This includes popular brands like Marks & Spencer, H&M and John Lewis. But if shoppers do not spend their gift card - or at least some of it - then after 18 months, they will have money taken from their voucher. This is known as an "inactive fee" and is another blow to customers already battling with high costs. Consumer expert Martyn James believes the fee is "absolutely outrageous". He said: "It's absolutely outrageous that this fee is charged and also that nobody is told about it. "The number of these cards that die in wallets and purses every single year is in. "The mere concept of reducing that money just for the act of not spending is such an outrageous practice." Shoppers with an "inactive balance" will be charged 90p a month. Over a full year, such a charge would drain £10.80 from a gift card. The charge will begin 18 months after the purchase date - not from when you received it. So if you were given a One4All gift card from a friend or family member, make sure to ask them what date they bought it. For example, if a card was purchased on November 30 2022, then shoppers have until May 30, 2025, to use it before being charged the fee. Some shoppers may be edging close to the deadline so if you want to use it for Christmas gift purchases - check now before it's too late. Personal shopper and stylist Lindsay Edwards said: "I think it's disgusting that One4All are charging people for not spending their gift cards. "It feels immoral, unnecessary and greedy." She added: "It's not uncommon for me to take a client personal shopping, who's not stepped foot into a shop for over a yea){kind=link}
SHOPPERS looking to use a gift card to buy Christmas presents will want to make sure they aren’t decreasing in value.
One4All provides gift cards that can be used across a wide variety of retailers.
This includes popular brands like Marks & Spencer, H&M and John Lewis.
But if shoppers do not spend their gift card – or at least some of it – then after 18 months, they will have money taken from their voucher.
This is known as an “inactive fee” and is another blow to customers already battling with high costs.