How to Activate a Visa Debit Card Securely

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The easiest ways to get your card ready to use

Co-authored by John Gillingham, CPA, MA and Aimee Payne, MFA

Last Updated: December 12, 2024 Fact Checked

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Calling to Activate the Card

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Activating through Your Bank

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Activating with Your PIN

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Common Questions

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Tips

Activating a new Visa debit card is a quick and easy task. No matter where you bank, the process is similar. You can call the automated number on the card to activate it and set up your PIN number. Or, you can activate the card through your bank, by using it at an ATM, or by making a purchase anywhere Visa is accepted. No matter what method you choose, you’ll be able to use your new Visa debit card in no time!

Activating Your Debit Card

Call your bank’s automated card activation system or use the website or mobile app to activate your debit card. You can also deposit or withdraw cash at an ATM or make a purchase with your new card using the PIN for your existing debit card. Or, stop in at your bank and ask a teller to activate your card.

Section 1 of 4:

Calling to Activate the Card

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New debit cards often have a sticker on the front that gives you a number to call to activate the card. If your card doesn’t have this, call the customer service number provided on the back of the card.^{[1]
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Along with the card number, you may be required to enter the 4-digit expiration date as well as the 3-digit CVV code on the back of the card.^{[2]
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Create a unique PIN number. To use your debit card, you’ll need to create a PIN, or Personal Identification Number, for debit transactions and to use an ATM. You’ll likely be asked to enter the PIN twice to ensure it is correct. Memorize the PIN so you can use it any time you need to.^{[3]
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- Choose a unique PIN number (different from other credit cards) to maintain your privacy and security.

Section 2 of 4:

Activating the Card Through Your Bank

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Call your bank and provide the required information to verify your identity. Then, ask the representative to activate your debit card. Provide them with the card number, expiration date, CVV code, and any other information they ask for, which may include the PIN you wish to use.
If you use a mobile app for banking, open the app and log in to your account. Simply search for the option marked “debit card activation” and follow the instructions to activate your card.^{[4]
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Many banks will allow you to activate your card online. Go to the bank’s website, sign in, and click the “Customer Service” tab. Then, find the option for debit card activation and follow the prompts.^{[5]
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You can visit the closest branch of your bank to get your card activated. Bring the new card and your personal identification, like a driver’s license. Simply provide the card and ID to a teller and ask them to activate the card for you.

Section 3 of 4:

Using Your PIN to Activate the Card

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If you already had a Visa debit card through your bank and need to activate a replacement, you can use the same PIN you used for your old card.^{[6]
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Make a debit purchase anywhere Visa is accepted to activate your card. You can get groceries, gas, or anything else you need anywhere Visa cards are accepted. Run the transaction as debit rather than credit. Input your existing PIN number when asked, which will activate your card.
- You can only use this method if you already have a PIN.
EXPERT TIP

John Gillingham, CPA, MA
Certified Public Accountant & Founder of Accounting Play
John Gillingham is a Certified Public Accountant, the Owner of Gillingham CPA, PC, and the Founder of Accounting Play, Apps to teach Business & Accounting. John, who is based in San Francisco, California, has over 14 years of accounting experience and specializes in assisting consultants, bootstrapped startups, pre-series A ventures, and stock option compensated employees. He received his MA in Accountancy from the California State University - Sacramento in 2011.

John Gillingham, CPA, MA
Certified Public Accountant & Founder of Accounting Play

Expert Trick: If you're a business owner, if you use your debit card for your purchases, it can really simplify things and make your expenses seem more concrete. In the end, that can help you save a lot more money than you would get by gaining credit card points.
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Activate your new card at an ATM by making a deposit or withdrawal. Find an ATM for your bank. Insert your card and enter your existing PIN, then use your new debit card to make a deposit or withdrawal. The transaction will activate your new card.^{[7]
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- You must have an existing PIN to activate your card this way.

Section 4 of 4:

Common Questions about Activating Your Card

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What is a debit card? Your debit card is like a credit card, except it’s connected to your checking account. When you use the debit card to make a purchase, the money is debited from your account instead of borrowed, so you don’t have to pay a bill at the end of the month, and no interest will be charged.^{[8]
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- Your debit card also accesses your account for cash withdrawals at automatic teller machine (ATM) locations.
- Depending on the bank that services the ATM, you may be charged a service fee in addition to any money you withdraw.
Most businesses accept debit cards as a form of payment, so using one allows you to make purchases without carrying cash.^{[9]
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Research source} When paying with a debit card, funds are removed from your account immediately, unlike checks when there can be a substantial lag time.
Activate your debit card as soon as possible after you receive it in the mail. You cannot use your card to withdraw money or make purchases until your debit card is active.
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What happens if a debit card is not activated? It depends on your bank’s policies. In some cases, nothing will happen, except you won’t be able to use that card to access your account. When you activate your card, you confirm you received it from your bank.
- If you don’t activate the card within a certain time period, the bank-issued PIN deactivates. If that happens, you must call or visit the bank to activate the card.^{[10]
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How do I turn my debit card on or off? If you lose or simply misplace your debit card, many financial institutions offer the ability to turn the card off from their website or app.^{[11]
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Research source} Log into your account and search for the account lock or freeze option. Contact your bank’s customer service for help finding it.
- Locking a card will cause any new transactions to be declined. If you find your debit card, you must unlock the account again to use the card.
- If you can’t find your debit card, contact your bank for a replacement.
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How do I replace my debit card? Contact your bank as soon as you realize your debit card is missing. They can close the card and issue you a replacement card with a new number and expiration date.^{[12]
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Research source} If you use your bank’s customer service number or website, it can take up to 10 business days to receive your new card.
- Some financial institutions can issue a new card immediately if you visit one of the branches in person.
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How can I better protect myself and my debit card? Never share your account number over the phone unless you make the initial call and understand why you must provide it. Use multi-factor identification when it’s available. This could be a text, call, or email with a passcode in addition to your password.^{[13]
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- It’s also a good idea to check your accounts regularly for fraudulent charges and report any you find suspicious.
- Memorize your PIN instead of writing it on the card or a piece of paper.
Contact the customer service department if your bank mailed your debit card or PIN, and one or both don’t arrive in the stated timeframe. The customer service representative will cancel the card, invalidate the PIN, and send you replacements.