topic Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card? in Credit Cards

what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

distantarray — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:54:12 GMT

Don't tell me it doesn't work cause it does :P

I tried it on my Chase and Amex cards, as well as Capital One etc. Forgot to activate the card, and used my Capital One card in the past, and went through worked fine...... so I tried it on others and it all works without calling in or logging on to "activate the card" So question is what in the world is the point?

Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

learnin113 — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:28:50 GMT

I have to concur on this one...did it a million times.

Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

Cleanmachine — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 12:19:09 GMT

It is my understanding if the credit card is new, it must be activated in order to use it.

On the other hand, if the credit card is a renewal the only reason to activate it is to show that you received it.

So much for security......

Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

webhopper — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 12:34:01 GMT

The credit card companies want to use the time that you call in to cross sell you on additional products such as "wallet protector"

Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

TheConductor — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 13:33:04 GMT

webhopper wrote:
The credit card companies want to use the time that you call in to cross sell you on additional products such as "wallet protector"

True in some cases, but not all. AmEx didn't upsell me anything, nor did Chase on my debit card (though I may find out they do differently for credit when I activate my Freedom).

The main thing activation does for the companies is verify that the card is in the hands of the person it was delivered to. It also verifies your phone number for them if you activate via phone. The accounts are typically active already, but these little bits of data housekeeping make the people in their risk management departments very happy. :)

Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

Cadillac-XTS — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:14:56 GMT

Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

Epcot — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:59:40 GMT

When I called in to activate my Chase Disney card they didn't try to offer or sell anything. Although I did ask for a CLI. :)

Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

jsucool76 — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:02:19 GMT

webhopper wrote:
The credit card companies want to use the time that you call in to cross sell you on additional products such as "wallet protector"

when I called to activate my WF card, they tried to sell me a private banking and financial consultant. I was like "Really? it is the cash back COLLEGE visa with a $600 limit...do I really sound like I need that?!?!?!"

Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

armbenderc — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:29:44 GMT

Epcot wrote:
When I called in to activate my Chase Disney card they didn't try to offer or sell anything. Although I did ask for a CLI. :)

:smileyvery-happy: I saw that thread, congrats again. It is exactly what I did to my freedom. I didn't get another HP, they used the one that is already pulled.

Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

scarrollprint — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:30:42 GMT

I had a debit card mailed to me once after about 10 days I didn't get it, I was on my online account for something esle and saw all these random charges that didn't look familiar. Asked the wifey she said she didn't see the card come nor had she even used her card lately. Called the bank to dispute the charges, they confirmed it was on the new card and not the wifes card and since the card was never activated they would cancel the card, flag it to be held and notified(which I guess tells the retailer to not give the card to the person and to call the cops/bank? I'm guessing) and that all charges would be reversed immediatly and that if I had any overdraft fees that occured due to this they would be refunded (which luckily I didn't the guy appears to have only been testing the card - a dollar here a dollar there). From now on though, any time we get a new debit card, we have to pick it up at a branch and show ID an all that when we have a new card issued, which luckily is only once every couple years.

Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

john398 — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:41:41 GMT

I have heard of Discover calling people after seeing a transaction on a card that has not been activated yet

Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

laz98 — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:29:07 GMT

If I remember correctly, Chase has been the only one where I HAD to call. It didn't work when I went to the store. I don't really recall on some of the more recent activations, because they really weren't THAT recent...But I still haven't called NFCU even though I've had the new Signature cards for a while now :smileysurprised: I may have to call soon for some of my store cards, too, since they were WFNNB & are now Comenity Bank, & it's 50/50 whether those will be 100% automated or not.

Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

Smerri1029 — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 19:24:04 GMT

I went to use a Discover "replacement" and had it denied at the super market. Had to call in to have it activated.

Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

HiLine — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 03:07:49 GMT

Interesting ... next time I have a new credit card I have to try making a purchase on it without activating ;)

Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

daybreakgonesXe — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 05:10:06 GMT

It is important to note that the JCP card won't work either if not activated...however it is a simple fix in a JCP store XD we'll just ask for ID and punch in the numbers manually and remind the customer to please activate the card online or through the phone when they get the chance, if they want to avoid the hassle of being ID'd each and every time they attempt to use the card. The magnetic swipe though conveniently works for returns and payments, however.

Of course, we're suppose to ID everyone who uses a credit card...but especially during the busy holiday season, unless they're running up very large and unusual purchases, who checks? Some stores don't even request a signature for small purchases! One swipe and boom, transactions already done before you can put your card away!

Re: what happens if you don't "Activate" your card?

RonDawg — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 06:31:39 GMT

distantarray wrote:
Don't tell me it doesn't work cause it does :P

I tried it on my Chase and Amex cards, as well as Capital One etc. Forgot to activate the card, and used my Capital One card in the past, and went through worked fine...... so I tried it on others and it all works without calling in or logging on to "activate the card" So question is what in the world is the point?

its a marketing ploy so you have to listen to their voice automation talk about all the great deals you could be saving on, Credit Protection because you never know when someone will steal your identity. Of course the jokes on them if your CS is below 650 lol and of course the "Random" selection for a survey :)

See what you miss out on when you forget to activate your card lol