Standing at a checkout with a prepaid card and no idea what’s left on it is a small but annoying problem. The fix takes about a minute.
To run a MyBalanceNow balance check, type www.mybalancenow.com into your browser, enter your card number, expiration date and the security code (CVV) from the back of the card, then submit the form. Your available balance appears on the next screen. You can also call the number printed on the back of your card.
That’s the short answer. The rest of this guide covers what to do if the number looks wrong, how to avoid the many copycat sites, and what to check first if the page won’t accept your card.
What MyBalanceNow Does
MyBalanceNow is the cardholder website named on prepaid gift cards such as the Visa Gift Cards sold at Target. It isn’t a bank account, and it doesn’t work like online banking. You usually identify the card by typing its details, rather than signing in to a profile.
Target’s product listing says its Visa Gift Card is issued by Pathward, N.A. and distributed and serviced by InComm Financial Services. So if you’re looking for a company behind the card, those are the names to know. Target sells the card, but it doesn’t issue it.
One quick check can save you time. Look at the back of your card and find the website printed there. If it says mybalancenow.com, you’re in the right place. If it names a different site, use that one instead, because each gift card program has its own balance page.
Cards this guide doesn’t cover
A red Target GiftCard is a store card, not a Visa or Mastercard product, and Target checks those through its own balance tool. Vanilla-branded cards also use a separate website. If you enter one of those card numbers on the wrong portal, you’ll probably get an error even though nothing is wrong with the card.
How to Check Your MyBalanceNow Balance Online
Have the physical card or your eGift email ready before you start. The whole process is short, but the details need to be exact.
- Open a browser and type www.mybalancenow.com directly into the address bar. Don’t rely on the first search result.
- Find the card form on the home page.
- Enter the 16-digit card number without spaces.
- Enter the expiration month and year shown on the card.
- Enter the three-digit security code from the back.
- Complete any security prompt on the page, then submit the form.
- Read your available balance and look over recent activity.
If you received an eGift card, the number and security code should be in the delivery email or on the page it links to. Save a copy of those details somewhere private. A few Target reviewers said they lost access to their card number after a problem with the card, so a saved copy and your receipt could matter later.
What you’ll see on the results page
The available balance is the figure that counts when you’re about to spend. It reflects what the card can cover now, and it may be lower than you expect if a recent purchase is still pending.
Below it, you should see recent transactions. It’s worth reading them even if the balance looks fine, because an unfamiliar merchant is often the first sign that someone else has used the card.
Other Ways to Check Your MyBalanceNow Balance
The website isn’t your only option, and it’s useful to have a backup if the page is down.
| Method | Best for | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Website | Seeing your balance and recent activity | Card number, expiration date, security code |
| Phone | Times when the site won’t load | The number on the back of your card and the card details |
| Purchase receipt | A rough idea after spending in a store | Your latest receipt, if it shows the remaining balance |
For Target-sold cards, Target’s Gift Card team lists 1-877-867-4873 as its 24-hour support line in replies to customers. Even so, the number printed on your own card is the one to trust first, since programs and card designs can change.
What to Do If the Balance Looks Wrong
A surprising balance doesn’t automatically mean fraud. Work through the likely causes before you assume the worst.
Holds and pending charges
Some merchants authorize more than your final bill. Pay-at-the-pump fuel purchases and restaurant bills that may include a tip are common examples. Funds can stay unavailable until the final amount posts, which usually takes a few days, though timing varies by merchant.
Say you put $20 of fuel on a card with $50 on it. If the pump places a larger temporary hold, your available balance could briefly look much lower than $30. Paying inside at the counter for a set amount can help you avoid that.
A purchase you forgot
Small subscriptions, app store charges and online orders are easy to overlook. Match the transaction list against your email receipts before you call anyone. If you gave the card to a family member, ask them too, since this settles more of these questions than people expect.
Charges you don’t recognize
If the activity clearly isn’t yours, or a brand-new card shows little or no money, call the number on the card right away. Have your receipt and the card ready, and write down the date, time and the name of the person you spoke with.
Gift card fraud is a real issue, so don’t sit on it. The FTC advises people to report the problem to the card company as soon as possible, ask for a refund, and hold on to the card and receipt. If you believe you’ve been scammed, you can also file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. A refund isn’t guaranteed, so a quick report and good records give you the strongest position.
Why MyBalanceNow May Not Accept Your Card
Most errors have simple causes. Try these in order.
| What you see | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Invalid card details | A mistyped digit or date | Re-enter everything slowly, and check for a 6 and 8 or a 5 and S mix-up |
| Card not found | Wrong portal for your card | Check the website printed on the back |
| Card won’t work yet | A card that hasn’t finished activating | Keep your receipt and call the number on the card if the problem continues |
| Blank page or endless loading | Browser, extension or site issue | Try a private window, a different browser or turn off your ad blocker |
| Bot or security warning | Blocked cookies or JavaScript | Turn them back on, then reload the page |
| Card on hold | The card was flagged for possible fraud | Call the number on the card for your options |
That last one deserves extra attention. Recent Target reviews describe cards being placed on hold for suspicious activity, with some buyers getting a replacement and others being told to wait for a refund. Experiences vary, so ask the support agent what your options are, how long the process will take, and what proof they need from you.
If digits are scratched or missing
Some reviewers reported cards with scratched-off digits or damaged strips, even in sealed packaging. If yours looks like that, don’t try to guess the missing numbers. Take a photo, keep the receipt and contact customer support or the store where you bought it.
How to Avoid Fake MyBalanceNow Websites
This is the part most guides skip, and it’s probably the most important one. Search for MyBalanceNow and you’ll find many sites with almost the same name, often using extra hyphens, different endings or slight misspellings. Some are just low-quality blogs. Others could be collecting card details, so treat any lookalike as unsafe.
Your card number, expiration date and security code are all someone needs to spend your money online. Before you type them in, run through this list:
- Check the address. It should be www.mybalancenow.com, with nothing added before or after it. Endings like .it.com, .us.com or .com.co are different addresses, even though they contain the same words.
- Type it yourself. Use the address printed on your card instead of clicking a link from a search ad, text or social post.
- Ignore requests for extra details. You shouldn’t need to hand over your Social Security number or bank login for a simple balance check.
- Don’t pay for a balance check. Target’s listing says no fees apply to its Visa Gift Card after purchase, so a site asking for payment should set off alarm bells.
- Be wary of unexpected calls. Nobody who contacts you out of the blue needs your card number or a photo of the card.
Once you’ve reached the real site, bookmark it. That one habit removes most of the risk next time.
How to Use a Low Balance Before It Goes to Waste
A MyBalanceNow balance check is most useful when it helps you spend the last few dollars. A $4.37 remainder can be awkward, because a card with too little money on it may simply decline when the total is higher.
The fix is to split the payment. At a store register, tell the cashier the exact amount to put on the prepaid card, then pay the rest another way. Online, it depends on the store, because some retailers don’t allow two payment methods at checkout. A small purchase or a digital gift card from a retailer you already use can be a tidy way to clear it, if the store accepts prepaid cards.
Also keep the geographic limits in mind. Target’s listing says its Visa Gift Card works in the US and District of Columbia wherever Visa debit is accepted, and that it has no cash or ATM access. So don’t count on it for foreign trips or for pulling out the remaining money as cash.
Habits That Keep Your Card Safe
A few small routines make a real difference, particularly if you’re giving the card as a gift.
- Inspect the packaging before you buy, and choose another card if anything looks opened or altered.
- Keep the receipt until the balance is fully spent, and take a photo of it.
- Photograph the front and back of the card, then store the images somewhere private.
- Check the balance soon after you buy the card, not months later.
- Give the recipient your receipt or a photo of it, so they have proof of purchase.
Your Next Step
Grab your card, type the address printed on it into your browser, and check your MyBalanceNow funds now rather than at the register. If the balance looks right, bookmark the site and you’re done. If it doesn’t, check for holds and forgotten purchases, then call the number on your card and keep your receipt close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to check my MyBalanceNow balance?
Yes, on the website, a balance check shouldn’t cost anything. Target’s listing also says its Visa Gift Card has no fees after purchase. If you hold a different card, confirm this in its cardholder agreement.
Do I need a MyBalanceNow account?
Generally, no. The portal usually identifies the card through its number, expiration date and security code, so you shouldn’t need to create a username first.
Why does my balance show less than I loaded?
A pending charge or merchant hold is the most common explanation. Check the recent transactions first. If you see purchases you didn’t make, contact the number on your card right away.
Will my funds expire?
Target’s listing says funds on its Visa Gift Card don’t expire, though the card itself still shows a date. If that date has passed and you still have money on the card, call customer support about a replacement.
Can I check the balance by phone?
Yes. Call the number on the back of your card and have the card details ready. It’s a useful backup when the website isn’t loading.
