A walmart gift card redeem code can make shopping convenient, but gift card scams are also a serious consumer-safety issue. If you received a Walmart gift card, eGift card, or redemption number, the safest approach is to use it through Walmart’s legitimate channels and keep the card number and PIN private.
In this guide, you’ll learn how Walmart gift cards work in 2026, how to add a card to your Walmart account, how to use it during checkout, how to check its balance, and what to do if a code does not work.
You’ll also learn why websites offering a walmart gift card free code can be risky, how to recognize common scams, and what steps to take if you believe your gift card information has been exposed.
What Is a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code?
An walmart giftcard redeem code is the code you use to add your Walmart gift card balance to your account for eligible purchases.
For most users, redeeming a walmart giftcard redeem code is very simple. To use your walmart giftcard redeem code, just find your walmart giftcard redeem code, log in to your Walmart account, go to checkout, enter your walmart giftcard redeem code, and click Apply.
If your first walmart giftcard redeem code does not work, do not immediately search for another walmart giftcard redeem code online. Many websites that promise a free walmart giftcard redeem code are scams.
Before trying a new walmart giftcard redeem code, first check if you entered your walmart giftcard redeem code correctly. Make sure your walmart giftcard redeem code is for the correct country, as a walmart giftcard redeem code for the US may not work in another region.
Always protect your walmart giftcard redeem code like cash. Never share your walmart giftcard redeem code with someone who contacts you unexpectedly. The FTC warns that fraudsters often ask for payment with a walmart giftcard redeem code.
A legitimate company will never ask you to pay a bill using a walmart giftcard redeem code. If someone demands a walmart giftcard redeem code as payment, it is a scam.
When you purchase a walmart giftcard redeem code from a store, keep the receipt for your walmart giftcard redeem code. If you receive a walmart giftcard redeem code as a gift, ask for the gift receipt for that walmart giftcard redeem code.
If you have an unused walmart giftcard redeem code, you can still add it to your account today. Your existing walmart giftcard redeem code balance will remain available until you spend it.
For any issue with a walmart giftcard redeem code, contact official Walmart support for help with that specific walmart giftcard redeem code. Never post your walmart giftcard redeem code in public forums or comments.
In short, a valid walmart giftcard redeem code is safe and easy to use when you follow official instructions. Keep your walmart giftcard redeem code private, redeem your walmart giftcard redeem code only on Walmart’s official website or app, and enjoy shopping with your walmart giftcard redeem code.
Gift card number vs. PIN
These are not necessarily the same thing.
| Information | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Gift card number | Identifies the gift card |
| PIN | Used for certain gift card functions and verification |
| eGift card email | Contains information associated with the digital card |
| Balance | Remaining amount available for eligible purchases |
| Receipt | Evidence of purchase that may be useful if there is a problem |
Because the card number and PIN can provide access to the card’s value, treat them like sensitive payment information.
Walmart’s gift card terms specifically state that customers are responsible for keeping gift card information and their account password safe. Walmart also says it is not liable for certain losses involving lost or stolen cards or situations where the card number and PIN are provided to another person.
If you have a legitimate Walmart gift card and want to use it online, you can add it to your Walmart account.
Step 1: Open Walmart.com or the Walmart app
Start with Walmart’s official website or mobile application.
Avoid entering gift card information into websites that merely look like Walmart. Phishing websites can use similar names, logos, colors, and page designs to trick visitors into submitting payment information.
Step 2: Sign in to your Walmart account
Sign in using your normal Walmart account credentials.
Do not give your Walmart password to another person who claims they need it to “activate” your gift card.
Step 3: Open your account settings
According to Walmart’s current payment-method instructions:
Account → Settings → Wallet
From the Wallet section, you can manage saved payment methods.
Step 4: Add the gift card
Select:
Add new payment method → Gift Card
You can then enter the required gift card information.
Walmart currently instructs customers to enter the card number and PIN, with an optional gift card nickname.
Step 5: Save the card
Select Save card after entering the required information.
Walmart’s gift card terms currently allow customers to save up to five gift cards in their Walmart or Sam’s Club account. Saving the card allows online use and does not remove the balance from the physical card.
Step 6: Shop normally
Once the card has been added, you can use its available balance toward eligible Walmart purchases.
Remember that not every product or transaction is necessarily eligible. Walmart’s gift card terms state that eligible goods and services can change and specifically list certain exclusions, including financial products and services and gift cards.
How to Redeem a Walmart Gift Card in a Store
You don’t necessarily need to add a physical gift card to your online account before using it in a Walmart store.
For an in-store purchase, present the physical gift card at checkout and follow the payment instructions provided by the cashier or checkout system.
If you have an eGift card, make sure you have access to the information needed to use it according to Walmart’s current procedures.
The exact checkout experience can vary depending on the store, purchase, and payment method, so follow the instructions displayed by Walmart rather than instructions from an unrelated website.
How to Check a Walmart Gift Card Balance
Checking your balance before shopping can help you avoid surprises at checkout.
Walmart’s current payment-method page says customers can check their gift card balance online, call 1-888-537-5503, or check the balance at a checkout in a Walmart store.
Walmart’s gift card terms also explain that the displayed or reported balance is an estimate and that there can occasionally be a delay before the balance reflects a transaction.
What you need
For an online balance check, Walmart says you need the gift card number and PIN.
For a physical card, the PIN may be behind the scratch-off area on the back. For an eGift card, Walmart says to look in the confirmation email.
Keep your balance information private
Don’t post a screenshot of your gift card balance online if it also reveals the card number or PIN.
Even if you’re asking for help on a forum or social network, cover sensitive information before uploading an image.
Is a Walmart Gift Card Free Code Legit?
Searches for a walmart gift card free code can lead consumers to websites promising free gift card numbers, generators, hacks, surveys, or “working codes.”
You should be extremely cautious.
A website claiming it can generate unlimited Walmart gift card codes should not be treated as a legitimate source simply because it displays a professional-looking page.
Common warning signs
Be especially cautious when a website:
- Promises unlimited free Walmart gift cards.
- Claims to generate valid gift card numbers.
- Requests your Walmart password.
- Requests your credit card to “verify” a free code.
- Asks you to download unknown software.
- Requires you to complete multiple suspicious offers.
- Requests payment before releasing a supposedly free gift card.
- Tells you to disable security software.
- Asks you to send a gift card number or PIN to a stranger.
- Claims you won a gift card but requires payment first.
- Uses urgent language to pressure you.
The FTC warns that gift cards are commonly used in scams and says that if someone demands payment by gift card, that is a scam warning sign.
The safest rule
Do not treat a random gift card code found online as free money.
If you want a Walmart gift card, purchase one through Walmart or an authorized source, or receive one from a legitimate person or organization.
Walmart’s current terms state that gift cards can be purchased through Walmart stores, Sam’s Club, Walmart.com, the Walmart app, and authorized resellers.
Walmart Gift Card Redemption Code vs. Gift Card Free Code
These phrases may appear similar in search results, but they represent very different situations.
| Term | What it usually means | Safety level |
| Walmart gift card redeem code | Information associated with a legitimate gift card | Depends on source |
| Walmart gift card redemption code | Another way people describe gift card redemption information | Depends on source |
| Walmart gift card free code | A phrase often used by sites promising free codes | High scam risk |
| Walmart eGift card | Digitally delivered gift card | Safer when obtained legitimately |
| Walmart physical gift card | Card purchased or received physically | Safer when obtained legitimately |
The key question is not simply “Is this a code?”
The more important question is:
“Where did this gift card come from?”
A legitimate gift card obtained from Walmart or an authorized source is fundamentally different from an unverified number copied from a website.
Step-by-Step: Safe Walmart Gift Card Redemption
Here’s a practical checklist beginners can follow.
1. Verify the source
Ask yourself where the gift card came from.
Good examples include:
- Walmart
- Walmart.com
- The Walmart app
- An authorized reseller
- A legitimate gift from someone you know
Be cautious with cards purchased through unknown marketplaces or individuals.
2. Inspect a physical card
If you purchased a physical card in a store, keep the receipt.
Look for signs of tampering with the packaging or card.
Walmart’s terms prohibit tampering with gift cards and packaging and prohibit purchasing gift cards from unauthorized third parties.
3. Keep the number private
Don’t publish the complete card number.
Don’t send the PIN through social media.
Don’t give the information to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
4. Use official Walmart services
Use Walmart.com, the Walmart app, or a Walmart store for redemption and balance-related tasks.
5. Check your balance
Confirm that the expected amount is available.
6. Add the card to your account if needed
Use Walmart’s Wallet process to save the card for online use.
7. Make your purchase
Apply the gift card toward eligible goods or services.
8. Keep documentation
For purchased gift cards, retain your receipt and related purchase information.
9. Watch your account
If you’ve saved the card to your Walmart account, monitor your account activity and gift card balance.
10. Report suspicious activity quickly
If you believe your gift card information has been stolen or used without permission, contact Walmart through its official customer-support channels and report suspected fraud where appropriate.
Sometimes a legitimate card doesn’t work as expected. That doesn’t automatically mean the card is fake.
“My gift card code isn’t working”
Possible causes include:
- Incorrect card number.
- Incorrect PIN.
- Typographical error.
- The card has not been properly activated.
- A temporary technical issue.
- The transaction is not eligible.
- The available balance is insufficient.
- The balance has not updated yet.
- The card information has already been compromised.
Start by carefully checking the information you entered.
Do not repeatedly submit the information to random websites claiming they can “repair” the code.
“My balance looks wrong”
Walmart says its displayed gift card balance is an estimate and that updates can occasionally be delayed.
Check your recent transactions and use Walmart’s official support options if the issue remains.
“I lost my physical card”
This can be serious because gift cards function differently from credit cards and bank accounts.
Walmart’s current terms state that Walmart does not replace lost or stolen gift cards and disclaims liability for certain losses involving lost or stolen cards or disclosure of the redemption card number and PIN.
That’s another reason to keep the physical card secure.
“Someone asked me for my gift card number”
Don’t provide it unless you are dealing with an official Walmart support process and have independently verified the contact channel.
An unexpected caller, text message, email, or social media account asking for your gift card number or PIN is a major warning sign.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Searching for random working codes
Searching for a “working” code and entering numbers from unknown websites can expose you to scams.
Use a gift card that you legitimately purchased or received.
Mistake 2: Sharing the PIN
Your PIN should be treated as sensitive information.
Don’t post it publicly or send it to people you don’t know.
Mistake 3: Trusting urgent messages
Scammers often create urgency.
For example:
“Pay immediately or your account will be closed.”
or:
“Buy this gift card now to avoid a penalty.”
The FTC specifically warns consumers about scams in which criminals impersonate businesses or government agencies and demand payment through gift cards.
Mistake 4: Using unofficial websites
A search result isn’t automatically trustworthy.
Before entering gift card information, verify that you’re using Walmart’s legitimate website or app.
Mistake 5: Paying for a “free” gift card
If something is advertised as free but requires your card details, payment, or sensitive account information, stop and investigate.
Mistake 6: Uploading your gift card online
Never upload a full photo of a gift card showing its number and PIN.
Mistake 7: Confusing Walmart Cash with a gift card
Walmart Cash is a separate promotional currency governed by its own terms. It should not automatically be treated as the same thing as a Walmart gift card. Walmart’s current terms explain that Walmart Cash can be redeemed toward eligible purchases and has separate restrictions.
2026 Pro Tips for Safer Gift Card Use
1. Bookmark the official Walmart website
Instead of following unexpected links in emails or messages, navigate directly to Walmart.com.
2. Keep gift card receipts
If you purchase a card, keep the receipt until you’ve successfully used the card’s value.
3. Don’t save sensitive information unnecessarily
Only save a gift card to your Walmart account if you want the convenience of online use and understand the account-security implications.
4. Use a strong Walmart account password
Your gift card is connected to real purchasing value. Protect the account that stores it.
5. Use unique passwords
Don’t reuse your Walmart password on unrelated websites.
6. Be skeptical of social media giveaways
Some giveaways are legitimate, but others may be designed to collect personal information or send users to phishing pages.
7. Don’t let strangers “check” your card
Someone offering to verify a card or check its balance may actually be trying to obtain the card number and PIN.
8. Never use bots or automated balance-checking services
Walmart’s gift card terms prohibit using bots or similar technology to check gift card balances online or through its interactive voice response system.
9. Check Walmart’s current terms
Gift card rules can change. Walmart says it may update its Gift Card Terms and Conditions, so checking the current official terms is preferable to relying on an old blog post.
10. Think before you pay
If a person unexpectedly tells you to purchase a Walmart gift card and provide the number as payment, stop.
According to the FTC, legitimate businesses and government agencies do not demand payment by gift card.
Does a Walmart Gift Card Expire?
According to Walmart’s current terms, a standard walmart gift card redeem code does not expire.
That does not mean every issue involving a walmart gift card redeem code is permanent or that every type of walmart gift card redeem code has identical rules. Specialty cards that come from a walmart gift card redeem code may have additional terms from their respective issuers.
For a standard Walmart or Sam’s Club walmart giftcard redeem code, however, Walmart’s current terms explicitly state that the walmart giftcard redeem code does not expire.
Always check the current terms if you’re dealing with an unusual walmart giftcard redeem code.
Walmart states that a valid walmart giftcard redeem code can generally be used at Walmart and Sam’s Club locations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, as well as through Walmart.com and SamsClub.com, subject to restrictions for each walmart giftcard redeem code.
However, a walmart giftcard redeem code cannot necessarily be used for every type of transaction.
For example, Walmart’s current terms list financial products and services and other gift cards among ineligible purchases for a walmart giftcard redeem code.
Therefore, don’t assume that every item or service available through Walmart can automatically be purchased with a walmart giftcard redeem code.
Even though your walmart giftcard redeem code does not expire, it is still best to redeem your walmart giftcard redeem code promptly and keep your walmart giftcard redeem code safe like cash.
Can You Use a Walmart Gift Card to Buy Another Gift Card?
Generally, no.
Walmart’s current terms state that a walmart gift card redeem code is not eligible for purchasing other gift cards. You cannot use a walmart gift card redeem code to buy another walmart gift card redeem code.
This rule applies whether you are trying to use a walmart giftcard redeem code in-store or online. The system will not allow a walmart giftcard redeem code to be used for gift card purchases.
This is important because websites claiming you can multiply your balance by converting a walmart giftcard redeem code into other gift cards should be treated cautiously. Any site promising to double your walmart giftcard redeem code is likely a scam.
In short, your walmart giftcard redeem code is for regular merchandise, not for buying another walmart giftcard redeem code or other gift cards. Always protect your walmart giftcard redeem code and use it only for eligible purchases.
Does Using a Walmart Gift Card Affect Your Credit Score?
No, a standard Walmart gift card is not a credit account.
Using a gift card generally does not build or reduce your FICO or VantageScore credit score because you’re spending stored gift-card value rather than borrowing money through a traditional credit account.
This distinction is important for readers who are learning about credit.
Gift card vs. credit card
| Feature | Walmart Gift Card | Credit Card |
| Borrow money | No | Generally yes |
| Traditional credit account | No | Yes |
| Interest charges | No | Possible |
| Credit utilization | No | Can affect scores |
| Monthly credit-card statement | No | Yes |
| Can build credit history | No | Potentially |
| Stored value | Yes | No |
| Can be used until balance is exhausted | Generally | Subject to available credit |
A gift card is therefore not a substitute for responsible credit-building products.
If your website covers both gift cards and credit scores, make this distinction very clear to readers.
Why Gift Card Scams Matter for Consumers
Gift card fraud isn’t just an inconvenience.
A scammer who obtains a gift card number and PIN may be able to use the value before the legitimate owner realizes what happened.
The FTC’s current consumer guidance says scammers commonly use gift cards as a payment method because they can be difficult to recover once the information has been handed over.
Common scam scenarios include:
- Fake government representatives.
- Fake bank or account-security representatives.
- Fake customer-support agents.
- Fake employers.
- Fake romantic partners.
- Fake prize notifications.
- Fake tech-support representatives.
- Fake debt collectors.
- Fake online sellers.
The story changes, but the basic pattern is often the same: someone creates urgency and asks you to buy or provide a gift card.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
If you gave a scammer a gift card number or PIN:
- Contact the gift card company immediately.
- Explain that you believe the card was used fraudulently.
- Keep your gift card and purchase receipt.
- Ask whether the transaction can be investigated or the remaining funds protected.
- Report the scam to the FTC.
- Change passwords if you also shared account credentials.
- Watch for additional suspicious activity.
The FTC specifically recommends reporting gift card scams to the gift card company and the FTC and keeping the card and receipt available if possible.
How to Identify a Legitimate Walmart Gift Card
Before using a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code, consider its source.
Lower-risk sources for a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code:
Walmart stores for a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
Walmart.com for a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
The Walmart app for a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
Authorized resellers of a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
A trusted person who purchased a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code legitimately.
Walmart’s current terms identify Walmart stores, Sam’s Club, its websites/apps, and authorized resellers as purchase channels for a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
Higher-risk situations for a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code:
Be cautious if:
A stranger sells you a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code at a large discount.
Someone sends you a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code through an unsolicited message.
A website generates a free Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
You’re asked to pay with a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code before receiving a prize.
Someone wants the PIN for your Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code before sending your supposed reward.
A caller says a government bill must be paid with a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
A supposed employer asks you to purchase a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
A website requests your Walmart password to verify a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
Safe Walmart Gift Card Redemption Checklist
Before redeeming, run through this checklist for your Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code:
- I obtained the Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code legitimately.
- I am using Walmart’s official website, app, or store for my Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
- I have not shared the Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code publicly.
- I have not shared the PIN for my Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code with a stranger.
- I know how much money should be on my Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
- I have kept my purchase receipt for my Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
- I am not using a random online free Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
- Nobody is pressuring me to pay someone with my Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Walmart gift card redeem code?
The phrase walmart gift card redeem code is commonly used to describe the information associated with redeeming a Walmart gift card, such as the gift card number and PIN. Walmart’s official instructions require the card number and PIN when adding a gift card to a Walmart account.
2. How do I redeem a Walmart gift card online?
Open Walmart.com or the Walmart app, sign in, go to Account → Settings → Wallet, select Add new payment method → Gift Card, and enter the required card information. Walmart currently provides these steps in its payment-method guidance.
3. Can I get a Walmart gift card free code online?
Be very cautious with websites promising free Walmart gift card codes. Random codes or code generators are not a safe substitute for a legitimately purchased or received gift card. Never provide your password, payment information, or gift card PIN to an unknown website.
4. What is a Walmart gift card redemption code?
“Walmart gift card redemption code” is another phrase people may use when referring to the information needed to redeem a gift card. The exact terminology can vary, so follow Walmart’s current instructions rather than relying on third-party descriptions.
5. Can I check my Walmart gift card balance online?
Yes. Walmart currently says you can check the balance online, by calling its gift card support number, or at a Walmart store checkout.
6. Do Walmart gift cards expire?
Walmart’s current Gift Card Terms and Conditions state that Walmart gift cards do not expire.
7. Can I use a Walmart gift card to buy another gift card?
Generally, no. Walmart’s current terms list gift cards among the purchases that cannot be made with Walmart gift cards.
8. Does a Walmart gift card affect my credit score?
A standard Walmart gift card is not a credit account and does not function like a credit card. Using its balance does not normally create a credit history or directly affect your credit score.
9. What should I do if my Walmart gift card code doesn’t work?
First, verify the card number and PIN and check the card’s balance through Walmart’s official channels. If the problem continues, contact Walmart Gift Card Customer Service using the current contact information published by Walmart.
10. Is it safe to give someone my Walmart gift card PIN?
No. Treat the PIN as sensitive information. Walmart specifically states that customers are responsible for protecting gift card information and warns about losses associated with providing the card number and PIN to another individual.
11. What if someone asks me to pay a bill with a Walmart gift card?
Stop. This is a major scam warning sign. The FTC says legitimate businesses and government agencies do not demand payment by gift card.
12. Where should I buy a Walmart gift card?
Walmart says gift cards can be purchased through Walmart stores, Sam’s Club, Walmart.com, the Walmart app, and authorized resellers.
Internal Linking Suggestions
If this article is part of a larger credit or consumer-finance website, use internal links naturally rather than forcing them into every paragraph.
Recommended anchor texts:
- How credit scores work
- How to protect your personal information online
- Credit card vs. debit card: what’s the difference?
- How to recognize common online scams
- How to check your credit report for suspicious activity
These links can help readers move from the gift-card topic into broader financial education without making unsupported claims about credit scores.
External Link Suggestions
For authoritative references about your Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code, prioritize primary sources and established consumer-protection organizations.
Walmart Gift Card Terms and Conditions — Walmart’s official terms explain how to use your Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code, including redemption, eligible uses, balance information for your Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code, expiration, lost or stolen Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code, and restrictions.
Walmart Payment Methods — Walmart’s official instructions explain how to add a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code and how to check the balance of your Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
FTC Gift Card Scams — The Federal Trade Commission provides current consumer guidance on scams involving a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code and fraud reporting for a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
Walmart Terms of Use — Useful for readers who want to review Walmart’s broader terms related to a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code.
For navigation, you can link readers directly to Walmart Gift Card Terms and Conditions for Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code, Walmart Payment Methods for Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code, and FTC Gift Card Scam Guidance.
Quick Safety Guide: Red Flags at a Glance
| Situation | What to do |
| Stranger asks for your gift card PIN | Don’t provide it |
| Website promises unlimited free codes | Leave the site |
| Caller demands gift-card payment | Hang up |
| Email asks you to verify a code through a strange link | Don’t click |
| Seller offers a heavily discounted card | Investigate the source |
| Someone asks for your Walmart password | Don’t share it |
| Gift card balance looks incorrect | Check through official Walmart channels |
| Physical card appears tampered with | Don’t use it until verified |
| You gave a scammer your card information | Contact Walmart and report the scam promptly |
| You need to redeem a legitimate card | Use Walmart’s official website, app, or store |
A Note for Students and Beginners
Gift cards are simple to use, but a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code should still be treated as money.
If you’re a student or someone who is new to managing personal finances, remember three basic rules for your Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code:
First, protect the card information.
Don’t share your Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code number and PIN with people you don’t trust. Your Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code should be kept private like cash.
Second, distinguish stored value from credit.
A Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code is not a credit card. A Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code doesn’t give you a line of credit, and spending the balance from a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code does not build your credit history.
Third, never let urgency override caution.
If someone says you must buy a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code immediately to solve a problem, receive a prize, pay a bill, or protect an account, stop and verify the situation independently. Any demand to pay with a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code is a major red flag.
The FTC’s consumer guidance makes this especially important because a Walmart Gift Card Redeem Code is a common payment method requested by scammers.
Final Takeaway
Using a walmart gift card redeem code safely in 2026 is mostly about using legitimate channels and protecting the information connected to your card.
If you have a legitimate Walmart gift card, you can add it through Walmart’s official Wallet process, use it toward eligible purchases, and check the balance through Walmart’s supported methods. Walmart currently says its gift cards do not expire and provides specific rules about where and how they can be used.
The biggest safety lesson is simple: don’t search for or trust random “free” gift card codes.
A walmart gift card free code advertised by an unknown website may be a scam, phishing attempt, or another way of collecting your personal information. Never give a stranger your gift card number or PIN, and never use a gift card to pay someone who unexpectedly demands it.
