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Have you recently received a credit card from a bank or lender? Don’t stay with it for long before activating it. If your inactivated credit card is stolen, you may end up exposing yourself to identity theft. Imagine a stranger buying goods on credit at your expense.

Activating your credit card is a hassle-free process that can be done online or over the phone. In both cases, the process takes just a few minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide to activating your credit card and stay secure.

Online Credit Card Activation

Step 1. Checking for activation information: No matter the company that issued you with the credit card, check the website where you will log in to activate your card. Most companies put it on a sticker behind the card. Others have it as part of the information you received together with the card.

Step 2. Setting up an online account: To activate your card, you must create an account on the company’s website. Setting up the account involves providing information such as email address, social security number, date of birth, account number, and password. If you want, create a unique username. On some websites, you won’t need to create an account before activating your credit card. You will know if you need to by visiting the website provided by the company.

Step 3. Logging in the account: You have just created an account on the company’s website. Now log in to activate your credit card. Your login credentials include the username and password you chose during the account creation process.

Step 4. Enter the required information: On most websites, information such as your name, credit card number, and security code will be needed. The security code is on the rear of your card. Before activation, you will also need to enter your date of birth and social security number.

Step 5. Submitting information: You have just entered the information required. Go through it so that you are sure it is accurate. Click “activate” or “submit” to finish the credit card activation process.

Step 6. Confirm the online credit card activation: Most lenders call or send an email to confirm the activation. But don’t take it for granted. The email or phone call may not be forthcoming. If that happens, contact the issuer to confirm that the activation was actually done.

Step 7. Removing the sticker and signing the card: The activation information you used came on a sticker on the card. Remove the sticker and sign at the back with your name.

Activating Your Credit Card by Phone

Step 1. Checking the activation phone number: It is highly likely that you will find the activation phone number on the back of the card. If you don’t find it there, check the rest of the paperwork.

Step 2. Get ready with your information: Some of the things you will need include your account number, credit card number, and security code (found at the rear of the card). Check for the account number in the information accompanying the card. Your date of birth and social security number are a must. Some lenders require you to provide your full name.

Step 3. Calling the number: Dial the number and listen to the directions from the other side. Use the keypad to key in the credit card number and/or security code.

Step 4. Completing the process: As soon as you have finished giving the information required by the system, the credit card will be activated.

Step 5. Removing the sticker and signing the card: The telephone you used came on a sticker on the card. Remove the sticker and sign at the back with your name.

Benefits of Credit Card Activation

It is not advisable for you to stay with a credit card for long without activating it. The following are some of the benefits of this process:

• It helps prevent identity theft which may compromise your account security.
• Failure to activate your card for over 180 days could lead to it being canceled by the issuer. The aim is to ensure that the card does not end up being used fraudulently.
• The card is sent to you in deactivated form to prevent it from being stolen while in the hands of the postal system.

Clearly, credit card activation is a simple and clear process that takes a few minutes to complete. It is all for a number of reasons. Do it as soon as you receive your card to prevent fraud.