Just realised I’ve ’stolen’ gift card….

[YellowRedwheels]

Shopped at a major supermarket this morning. As well as a grocery shop, I got my niece a £30 gift voucher.

Had toddler DD with me who started to have a tantrum when I was doing the self checkout. I didn’t even think at the time that the total was a bit cheap.

Was putting the shopping bags away and took the receipt out and have realised it musn’t have scanned the gift card properly as it’s not on the receipt.

Told husband and he said just leave it. I said I don’t think the gift card would even work anyway if I didn’t go back and own up?

You’re right, it won’t work if you haven’t scanned it (otherwise every shoplifter in town would be stealing them/they’d be behind a counter!).

It's very unlikely the gift card will have been activated if it hasn't scanned through the till, so it probably wouldn't work.

I think you need to receipt to activate the card anyway, or you do any I’ve bought.
I would assume the card would be useless without, otherwise people would be nicking them all the time.

It's not activated until it's been paid for through checkout so all you've "stolen" is a couple of pense worth of plastic and cardboard.

Yep they must have to activate the gift card. Otherwise anyone could walk out with a free one, they're not hard to steal.

It may well not work, so don't gift it, the options are then try to spend it or take it back, I'd probably take it back, chances are it won't work and you'll need a story not to look foolish.

From having to wait for slow till rolls to print the activation receipt, I know you haven’t stolen anything! It’s just a piece of plastic.

Yep- card will have nothing on it. Has to be scanned through the till and paid for otherwise supermarkets would keep the gift cards under lock and key if they had monetary value.

Thanks all. Will make the journey back now!