Steve, here is the answer I got from our Customer and Channel Services Manager:
1. If you are trying to activate the card before actually trying to use it. The cards are active, so no activation is necessary.
2. If you are trying to use the card and the vendor swipes the card as a debit card and not a credit card (since the cards actually say debit on them), the card reader will ask for a pin. The cards should always be swiped as credit cards.
If you are still having problems, please call 1-877-944-3822, option 3 for help finding out what the problem is. This number is also on the back of the gift card.
Best regards,
Xenos