What Hallmark is and where to buy from them
Hallmark is a privately held greeting card and gift company that operates retail stores, sells through other retailers, and runs an online shop. You can buy Hallmark cards, gifts, ornaments, and seasonal items at Hallmark-branded stores, at drugstores like CVS and Walgreens, at mass retailers like Target and Walmart, and directly from Hallmark.com. The company does not sell financial products, insurance, or anything that requires a government transaction — it is a straightforward retailer of cards and gifts.
If you are reading this because you saw Hallmark mentioned in a financial or benefits context, that reference was likely about a different company or a scam. Hallmark itself has no connection to tax refunds, government programs, loans, or benefit payments. If someone told you to buy Hallmark gift cards to pay a government fee or claim a benefit, that is a fraud warning sign.
Hallmark stores are located in shopping centers and malls across the United States. You can find the nearest one using the store locator on Hallmark.com, which shows hours, phone numbers, and what services each location offers (some do custom framing or gift wrapping, for example).
Key Takeaways
- Hallmark is a greeting card and gift retailer with physical stores, an online shop, and products sold through other retailers — it is not a financial services company.
- You can buy Hallmark products in person at Hallmark stores, drugstores, and mass retailers, or online at Hallmark.com.
- Hallmark does not issue gift cards that function as prepaid debit cards or financial accounts — they are store credit only.
- If anyone tells you to buy Hallmark gift cards to pay a government fee, claim a tax refund, or settle a debt, that is a scam.
Hallmark gift cards and how they work
Hallmark gift cards are store credit that you can use to buy anything Hallmark sells in their stores or online. You can buy a physical card at any Hallmark location or online, or you can purchase a digital gift card code that is emailed when ready. The card has no expiration date and no monthly fees — you straightforward use it whenever you shop.
Gift cards purchased at Hallmark can only be spent at Hallmark. They cannot be used at other retailers, cannot be converted to cash, and cannot be transferred to a bank account. If you lose a Hallmark gift card, contact Hallmark customer service with your receipt or the card number if you have it — they may be able to help, but recovery is not may provide.
Hallmark also sells gift cards from other retailers (like Amazon, Target, or restaurant chains) in their stores. Those cards work according to the rules of the company that issued them, not Hallmark's rules. If you buy a Target gift card at a Hallmark store, you use it at Target, not at Hallmark.
Hallmark's return and exchange policy
Hallmark allows returns and exchanges within 30 days of purchase if you have a receipt. Items must be in original condition and in original packaging. Cards that have been opened or written in cannot be returned. If you bought something online, you can return it by mail using a prepaid shipping label that Hallmark provides.
If you bought a Hallmark product at a drugstore or mass retailer (not at a Hallmark store), you return it to that retailer according to their policy, not Hallmark's. For example, if you bought a Hallmark card at CVS, you return it to CVS, not to Hallmark.
Hallmark subscription and loyalty programs
Hallmark offers a free loyalty program called the Hallmark Gold Crown card. Members earn points on purchases and can redeem them for discounts. You can sign up in store or online at no cost. The program has no membership fee and no expiration date as long as you use the card at least once every two years.
Hallmark also offers a subscription service for greeting cards called Hallmark Subscription. You choose how many cards you want to receive per month (from one to five), and Hallmark mails them to you. You pay a monthly fee that varies depending on how many cards you choose. You can pause or cancel the subscription at any time.
Hallmark's online ordering and shipping
Hallmark.com allows you to browse and buy cards, gifts, and seasonal items online. You can have items shipped to your home, or you can order online and pick up in a nearby Hallmark store if that location offers that service. Shipping costs vary based on your order total and how fast you want delivery. Standard shipping typically takes five to seven business days.
Hallmark also offers same-day delivery in some areas through a third-party delivery service. Check Hallmark.com to see if same-day delivery is available in your zip code. Same-day delivery has a higher fee than standard shipping.
Hallmark's seasonal and holiday products
Hallmark releases seasonal products throughout the year — Valentine's Day cards and gifts in January, Easter items in February, Mother's Day and Father's Day cards in spring, Halloween and Thanksgiving items in fall, and Christmas products starting in August. Hallmark stores often have dedicated seasonal sections that change with the calendar.
Hallmark ornaments, especially dated Christmas ornaments, are collectible items that some people buy every year. These ornaments are sold in stores and online starting in August and continue through December. Once a design sells out or the season ends, it is typically not restocked until the following year.
Hallmark's customer service and contact information
You can contact Hallmark customer service by phone, email, or through their website. Phone support is available during business hours. Online chat is available on Hallmark.com during certain hours. If you have a question about a product, a return, a gift card, or an order, Hallmark's customer service team can help.
If you have a complaint about a Hallmark product or service, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau or with your state's attorney general office. Hallmark is a private company and is not regulated by government agencies in the way that banks or insurance companies are.
Red flags: Hallmark and scams
Scammers sometimes use Hallmark gift cards as a payment method in fraud schemes. If someone — claiming to be from the IRS, a utility company, a court, a bank, or any other official body — tells you to buy Hallmark gift cards and give them the codes, that is a scam. Real government agencies and legitimate businesses do not ask for payment in gift cards.
Similarly, if you receive an email or text claiming to be from Hallmark asking you to verify your account, update your payment information, or claim a refund, verify the sender before clicking any links. Scammers create fake Hallmark emails and websites to steal login credentials and payment information. Go directly to Hallmark.com by typing the address yourself rather than clicking a link in an email.
Hallmark is a legitimate retailer, but like any company with a recognizable name, it is sometimes used as a cover story in fraud schemes. If something feels wrong about a request for payment or personal information, it probably is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Hallmark gift card to buy gift cards from other companies?
Yes. Hallmark stores sell gift cards from many other retailers — Amazon, Target, Starbucks, restaurants, and others. You can use your Hallmark gift card to buy one of those cards. The card you receive will be for the other company and will work according to their rules.
What happens if I lose my Hallmark gift card?
Contact Hallmark customer service with your receipt or the card number if you have it. Hallmark may be able to replace it, but recovery is not may provide. Keep your receipt in case you need to report a lost card. Digital gift cards sent by email are easier to track than physical cards.
Can I return a Hallmark card if I opened it?
No. Hallmark's return policy does not cover opened or written-in cards. You can return unopened cards within 30 days with a receipt. If you bought the card at a store other than Hallmark, follow that store's return policy instead.
Does Hallmark have a mobile app?
Yes. Hallmark has a mobile app available on iOS and Android that lets you browse products, make purchases, check your Gold Crown loyalty account, and find nearby stores. You can read it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Is Hallmark affiliated with any government agency?
No. Hallmark is a private company and has no affiliation with the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, or any other government body. If someone claims to represent Hallmark and a government agency at the same time, that is a scam.