From Joann Fabrics to Forever 21, more than 8,100 stores closed across the U.S. in 2025, according to retail industry analytics firm Coresight Research.
What if you still have an unused gift card from any of these businesses?
Warehouse chain Costco recently issued a recall for Synergy restaurant gift cards sold between Oct. 27, 2025, and Jan. 26, 2026. According to FOX Business, the recall is due to Synergy World, a gift and loyalty card company, abruptly shutting down last month after filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. Thus, the gift cards can no longer be redeemed.
What happens if you have a gift card and the business closes?
If a business closes, the Consumer Federation of America provides steps on its website on how you can possibly get your money back:
Contact the business: “Try contacting the city or town hall where the business was located or your secretary of state’s office to get contact information for the business’s owner so you can ask for a refund.”
Ask your credit or debit card provider to reverse the charge: “Every credit or debit card company has its own policy, but some may be able to reverse the charge if you (or your friend or relative) purchased the gift card with a credit or debit card. Contact your card provider as soon as possible to request that the charge be reversed.”
Contact your state or local consumer protection agency: “If you can’t reach anyone from the business to get a refund, contact a government agency that offers consumer protection services in your state. This will alert the agency to the problem (you are probably not alone) and it may be able to get your money back.”
File a proof of claim: “If the business filed for bankruptcy, you can file a proof of claim with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and be added to the list of creditors who are owed money. Keep in mind that filing a proof of claim does not guarantee you’ll get a refund, however. Occasionally, businesses are bought during the bankruptcy process, and there is a chance that gift cards would become redeemable again.”
They note that if all else fails, you may want to consider taking legal action to recover your money.
What if the store hasn’t closed yet? Can I use my gift card?
Possibly. According to Debt.org, it depends on the store and the reason for the closure.
“When companies file for bankruptcy, they can only continue accepting gift cards if they ask the bankruptcy court for permission and the court authorizes it,” the website shares. “So, companies that declare bankruptcy may be less likely to honor gift cards than companies that are going out of business for other reasons.”
Check with a store beforehand to see if your gift card can still be redeemed.
Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: I have a gift card for a store that has closed. What do I do?
Reporting by Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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