The complete guide to buying gift cards online

Gift cards are one of the easiest gifts to send and one of the easiest to get wrong. The wrong region, the wrong brand or the wrong seller can turn a nice gesture into a code that doesn't work.

1. Pick a brand they'll actually use

If you're not sure, go broad. Amazon, Apple and Google Play cover thousands of products and apps. If you know the person well, a specific card shows more thought: Steam or PlayStation for a gamer, a streaming service for someone who watches a lot.

2. Check the region

This is the most common mistake. Many gift cards only work in the country they were issued for. A US Amazon card won't work on Amazon UK, and an app store card tied to one country won't load on an account set to another. Ask, or check which store the person uses, before you buy.

3. Buy from a trusted source

If a website is selling a $100 card for $60, it's almost certainly stolen or fake. Buy from the brand itself or from a platform that sources cards directly from authorised distributors. On Randzify, gift cards are paid for from your dollar balance and the code is delivered by email.

4. Know the scams

Gift cards are a favourite payment method for scammers because codes can't be reversed. Be suspicious if someone:

• asks you to pay a bill, fine or fee with gift cards,
• says they're from a bank, a government office or tech support and needs a code,
• pressures you to act fast and keep it secret.

No real company or government agency asks to be paid in gift cards.

5. Send it the right way

Send the code to the person directly, ideally with a short note saying what it's for and which region it works in. Keep a copy of your receipt until they confirm it has been redeemed.