Beware: Circuit City Gift Cards

Circuit City threw in the towel today - announcing it was shutting down:

Circuit City would like to thank all of the customers who have shopped with us over the past 60 years. Unfortunately, we announced on January 16, 2009, that we are going out of business.

If you happen to hold a Circuit City gift card, you need to get moving and use it - or be prepared to lose its value:

Q. Will Circuit City stores continue to accept Circuit City gift cards?

A. Yes, customers holding Circuit City gift cards may redeem them at full value at our stores during the liquidation sales. Once the stores are closed and the company is out of business, the gift cards will have no value.

"Closing sales will run as long as it takes to sell existing inventory, but are expected to wrap up by the end of March. When the liquidation sales are completed, the stores will be closed."