Some Target gift cards hold no value after problem with activation

Some consumers who received Target gift cards may be in for an unpleasant surprise when they try to use them.

An undisclosed number of gift cards sold to customers were "not fully activated," Target officials said. As a result, the cards may not hold the value the buyer paid for.

Target officials would not define what the problem is with the cards, how it occurred or the number of cards involved. They say less than one tenth of a percent of gift cards sold during the holidays were affected but won't say how many cards were sold overall.

Customers with problem cards can bring them to a local Target store or call Target at 800-544-2943 for help.

A spokeswoman for the company said the event is an isolated issue and unrelated to the recent theft of 40 million credit and debit cards numbers of Target shoppers.