Monmouth Mall Payless Customers Must Use Gift Cards By Monday

Payless ShoeSource customers don't have much time to use their gift cards and store credit for the Monmouth Mall location in Eatontown. Shoppers have until Monday to spend them as the chain begins closing stores, the Division of Consumer Affairs announced.

Gift cards and store credit will be valid through March 11, and liquidation sales are expected to continue through the end ofMay, according to a company statement. Payless ShoeSource filed for bankruptcy in February.

"When stores declare bankruptcy, consumers must act quickly or risk losing the value in unused gift cards and store credit," Paul R. Rodriguez, the Division of Consumer Affairs's acting director, said in a statement. "We encourage New Jersey consumers to use any gift cards or store credit they may have at Payless ShoeSource before time runs out."

Payless stores have already stopped accepting returns, customer coupons and rewards, the DCA said. Customers who don't use their gift cards by the deadline may be able to file a claim with the bankruptcy estate for the value of the card, the DCA said. But the organization said it is difficult to determine whether or how much consumers might recover from each claim.

Customers with questions can contact the DCA by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504- 6200.