New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli warns holiday shoppers to check the fine print on gift cards. Some cards have expiration dates, and others charge inactivity fees if the card isn't used within one year. Other fees could also reduce the value of the cards over time. After 5 years, unused gift cards are considered abandoned property and they are turned over to the state.
According to DiNapoli, the state received $11 million in abandoned property last year.
