Gift cards untouchable.

• Position: Brief article

State consumer protection laws don't apply to bank-issued gift cards sold by a shopping mall management company, a federal judge recently ruled. The judge ruled that Simon Property Group's Visa gift card is not subject to New Hampshire's state law because it is issued by a bank and therefore fails under federal banking laws governing interstate commerce. New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte claimed that Simon violates a state law by deducting $2.50 a month from gift cards that had an unused balance after six months and...