Oregon gift card law good for consumers

Since changes were made in 2007 and 2012, Oregon state law has said money on gift cards cannot depreciate over time.

“So you could take a gift card that you got 20 years ago and still use it today,” Katie Clark with the Bend Target said Monday.

That means your money goes further in Oregon. The law has a couple exceptions for promotional cards, gift cards from phone companies and some online gift cards.

Oregon is one of few states with this kind of law. Many other states’ laws say gift cards expire after a certain time, or depreciate without use.

“Federal law says that money on gift cards can expire, that’s not true here in Oregon,” said Ellen Klem with the Oregon attorney general’s office.

Consumer complaints and frustration caused the legislative changes. As of January 1, 2012, plastic cash keeps its green.

“If you pay for $100 gift card, you have $100 for the rest of your life,” Clark said.

If that gift card sits in your wallet all week, all year — or for 10 years, it’s still good for a swipe here in Oregon.