Unused holiday gift cards could be costing New Yorkers millions, and the state comptroller says now is the time to act.
State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli is urging residents to spend and register gift cards they received during the holidays after his office recovered more than $28 million in unused gift card balances in 2025 alone.
“Spend those gift cards you get this holiday season, so they don’t become unclaimed funds,” DiNapoli said. He also encouraged people to register their cards so balances can be more easily returned if they go unused or are forgotten.
Under state law, retailers must turn over unused gift card balances to the Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds after five years of inactivity. Once transferred, the money never expires and can be claimed at any time.
Registering a gift card allows retailers to associate unused balances with a person’s name, which helps the state reunite owners with their money. Cards may also be linked to a person if they were purchased through an existing store account or issued as part of a refund.
If owner information is unavailable, retailers report details such as the card number and remaining balance, which recipients can later use to file a claim.
Unclaimed funds can be claimed online, by phone, by mail, or at in-person events held throughout the year. Claims are always free, and DiNapoli said residents should be cautious of anyone asking for payment to help recover funds.
In total, the Office of Unclaimed Funds returned more than $580 million to rightful owners in 2025. DiNapoli also reminded gift card recipients to read the fine print for any fees or expiration details.
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