How to Activate a Visa Debit Card Over the Phone

Debit cards make a convenient replacement for checks and cash. They also keep a purchase within your means to pay because you cannot buy something for more than you have in your checking account. Visa is one of a few groups that contract with banks to manage the issuance and use of debit cards. In fact, Statista reports that during the first quarter of 2018, there were 555 million Visa debit cards being used within the U.S. and 1.63 billion across the globe. When you receive your new Visa debit card, register its receipt by calling the Visa card activation phone number on the sticker and following the instructions.

After you read the numbers, you will be told that your card has been activated and that you should remove the sticker and sign your card. If you don't sign the card, someone else could use it to make purchases where a signature but no PIN is required. Depending on your bank's service, the program might offer further services or options, such as instructions to change your PIN.

Another type of Visa debit card is the Visa gift card, which is an excellent choice when you're in need of giving a birthday or Christmas present to a friend or loved one. If you purchase the card at a retail store, the cashier will load the card and then activate it for you. Buying online, however, will require the recipient to activate the card before using it by calling the telephone number listed on the card or in the mailing material.