This article was co-authored by Michael R. Lewis. Michael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin.
There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 779,920 times.
Most banks provide ATM cards for their customers who open savings or checking accounts. An ATM card gives you instant access to your funds. When you open an account, the bank will send you a new card. As an existing customer, your bank will send you a new card when your old one expires. You will need to activate your ATM card before you can use it. Here are some ways to activate your ATM card.
Steps
Acquiring Your ATM card
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1Acquire your ATM card. Your bank will send your ATM card to you in the mail. Most banks will also send you a separate document that contains a temporary PIN. Some banks send the PIN first. When you get the information with your PIN, your card should arrive within a few days.
- Some banks don't send you a PIN. Instead, they require you to either activate the card and choose a PIN, or use the 3-digit security code on the back of the card to activate the card before choosing a PIN.[1]
- If you are getting a replacement card, your old PIN will still work.
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2Verify that the card you received is one you applied for or requested. If you're not expecting an ATM card, contact your bank immediately to find out if the card you received is legitimate. Some banks will issue a new debit card if there was a problem, like potential fraud, associated with your existing debit card.[2]
- If you did not request a new debit card, make sure to find out if you need the debit card. Make sure to read the fine print or contact the bank to make sure the debit card doesn't have hidden fees or that switching to a new debit card is required.[3]
- Examine the card's expiration date. If the expiration date is approaching soon, contact your bank. This is often a sign of a fraudulent card.
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3Sign the back of the card. As soon as you receive your new debit card, sign the back of it. If this is a replacement debit card, or you received a temporary card, destroy those old cards now.[4]
- Cut the card up so that the name and number cannot be identified. This helps protect your identity and information.
Activating Your ATM card
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1Go to an automatic teller machine. Choose an ATM that is well-lit, situated in a visible location, and owned by your banking establishment. Insert your card, use your PIN or your temporary PIN, and follow the instructions on screen.[5] Some banks may require you to go through an activation screen, while other banks may automatically activate the card when you enter the PIN. Others require you to do a balance inquiry.
- You may conduct transactions at ATMs that are second- or third-party owned once you activate your card, but they cannot perform the functions necessary to activate your card.
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2Call your bank. Most banks provide a toll-free number you can use to activate your card. This number may be located on a sticker on your ATM card, in the letter mailed with your card, or on their website. Call the toll-free number. Give the information requested when prompted, which usually includes the last four digits of your social security number, zip code, and security code on your card.
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3Log in to your online account. Many banks provide an activation service via the Internet. Log in and select the option to activate your card. Most online activation services require you to enter the security code on the back of your card.
- Some banks offer mobile apps that allow you to activate your card.[6]
- You may have to have a preexisting online banking ID to use this option.
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4Go to your bank. Another way to activate your card is to take it to any branch of your bank. You can ask the bank attendant to activate the card for you.
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6Change your PIN. If your bank sent you a temporary PIN and allows you to create your own, change your PIN. Creating your own PIN for your ATM card creates an additional level of security for your account. Memorize your new PIN, and do not carry that number with you in your wallet.[9]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionCan I activate my bank card via ATM machine, or must I go inside the branch?
Michael R. LewisMichael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin.
Business AdvisorYou can activate your debit card through an ATM owned by the banking institution who issued the card provided you have a PIN. The PIN might be temporary and sent to you separately from the card or your old PIN if you previously had a card. -
QuestionCan I activate my card without a mobile number?Michael R. LewisMichael R. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas. He has over 40 years of experience in business and finance, including as a Vice President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He has a BBA in Industrial Management from the University of Texas at Austin.
Business AdvisorYes, you can. A mobile phone number is not needed to activate a debit card.
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References
- ↑ https://www.alaskausa.org/share/activatecard.asp?t=q
- ↑ http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/15/pf/new-cards-hack/
- ↑ http://consumerist.com/2009/07/14/chase-sends-you-debit-card-you-dont-need-tells-you-to-activate-it/
- ↑ https://www.wellsfargo.com/goals-banking-made-easy/activate-debit-card/
- ↑ https://www.bankofamerica.com/deposits/manage/faq-debit-card.go
- ↑ https://www.usbank.com/checking/us-bank-visa-check-card-debit-card-activate.html
- ↑ https://customerservice.santanderbank.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3636/~/how-do-i-activate-my-new-debit-card%3F
- ↑ https://www.bankofamerica.com/deposits/manage/faq-debit-card.go
- ↑ http://lifehacker.com/5889565/you-should-probably-change-your-pin-now-heres-how-to-remember-your-new-secure-pin
About This Article
If you have the activation information that came with your ATM card, you can activate the card by calling your bank using the toll-free number located either on the back of the card or in the letter mailed with it. Alternatively, you can go to any branch of your bank and ask the attendant to activate it for you. If there isn’t a branch near you, find the nearest ATM owned by your bank, insert your new card, and enter your PIN. From there, you’ll either go through an activation screen or your new card will automatically be activated. For more help from our Finance co-author, like how to change the PIN for your new ATM card, read on!
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