The Secret to Finding Gift Cards You Can Trust

Independent Gift Card Reviews by Shelley Hunter, gift card expert and consumer advocate for over 15 years.

HOW IT WORKS

GiftCardsYouCanTrust.com is dedicated to providing consumers with reliable and secure gift card options. Each gift card featured on our site has undergone independent certification to ensure it meets requirements, confirming that it is easy to use, fraud-free, and guaranteed.

When a merchant signs up for an independent review of their gift card program via GiftCardReform.com, Shelley Hunter and her independent reviewers test the end-to-end experience as follows:

Purchase Assessment: Buy digital and physical gift cards directly from the merchant to evaluate the purchase process and look for fraud pitfalls.

Redemption Testing: Redeem the gift cards online and in stores (where applicable) to assess their ease of use and flexibility.

Problem Resolution: Clarify the process consumers can follow if there is an issue with their gift card.

Feature Highlighting: Highlight features we love and provide suggestions for improvement.

The results of the comprehensive review are not only shared with the merchant but also made public on GiftCardsYouCanTrust.com. This commitment to transparency is a testament to our dedication to providing reliable and secure gifting options.

To learn more, check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

About Shelley Hunter

Your Consumer Guide to Gift Cards

Shelley Hunter has been the leading voice in the gift card industry for over 15 years, dedicated to helping consumers navigate the complexities of gift cards. In 2009, she launched GiftCardGirlfriend.com (later acquired by Giftcards.com and then Blackhawk Network) to show how to transform gift cards into thoughtful, personalized presents.

However, it quickly became evident that consumers faced more pressing issues, such as what to do when a gift card doesn't work or when the issuing store declares bankruptcy. Shelley addressed these questions (and more!) via her blog, YouTube channel, social media, and traditional media interviews.

With the alarming rise in gift card scams, victim-assisted gift card fraud, complex redemption processes, and other concerns, Shelley left the corporate environment and is now back on her own, working to restore gift cards to their rightful place as simple, fraud-free, and supported gifts.

Her current focus includes working with merchants to create consumer-first programs through a partner site—GiftCardReform.com—and showcasing the best gift cards for consumers via GiftCardsYouCanTrust.com.

Through unwavering commitment to consumer education and advocacy, Shelley remains your trusted expert for all things gift card-related. She aims to equip you with the knowledge you need to make safe and informed gift card choices.

IN THE NEWS

Whether speaking to the media, presenting at conferences, or sharing insights via her blog and social media channels, Shelley’s advocacy continues to drive awareness of the crucial gift card issues that consumers need to know about.

Consumers' Checkbook - Nov 15, 2024 - Watch Out for Worthless Gift Cards
MarketWatch - Nov 13, 2024 - Americans spend $300 billion a year on gift cards
KSL 5 TV - Oct 7, 2024 - Drained by scammers: Is enough being done to protect consumers from gift card fraud?t
WBTV - July 31, 2024 - Man loses $500 in gift card draining scam: What is it and how can you avoid it?
ABC NEWS - July 26, 2024 - Here's how you can get money back if you were targeted in an iTunes gift card scam
WOMEN IN INCENTIVES NETWORK - July 9, 2024 - Gift Card Trends, Customer Behavior, and Fraud Prevention
USA TODAY - July 3, 2024 - Will Neiman Marcus giftcards still be good?
MEDIUM - June 26, 2024 - 5 Things You Should Do To Become a Thought Leader In Your Industry
BEST LIFE - May 26, 2024 - 7 Ways to Spot Fake Deals and Scams When Online Shopping
ALL BUSINESS - February 10, 2024 - The 12 Best AI Tools for Small Businesses and How to Use Them

Why work with Shelley

If you're a merchant, Shelley brings a fresh perspective to your business and will help you create a consumer-first gift card experience. Visit GiftCardReform.com to sign up.

If you're a reporter on a deadline, send up a flare. With hundreds of interviews under her belt, Shelley can provide gift card insights quickly. Or you can join her media list to "stay in the loop" on gift card news, tips, and trends.