Anyone can use a credit card for any purchase. Credit card payments have become a popular means of making transactions because of its effectiveness and handiness. However, your credit card can work against you when it’s inactive. Knowing how to check if your credit card is active is very important.
You can conduct many transactions in a feather-weighted style if your credit card is active. Paying with a credit card can give the owner many bonuses such as Cashback, points, travel miles. These great benefits can be greater with the higher the amount spent.
This piece will expose you to all the knowledge you need about How to check if a credit card is active.
Table of contents
What is a Credit Card?
A credit card is a small plastic or metal card issued by a financial company. You can use it to make purchases by borrowing money up to a set limit.
A credit card gives you access to a credit limit provided by your credit card issuer. Your credit limit is the maximum amount that you can borrow.
Instead of giving you the full credit in cash, the card issuer allows you to take as much of the credit limit as you want at a given point in time. If you pay off what you borrowed, you can borrow it again.
Is It good to use a Credit Card?
A credit card has become an ideal means of payment in recent years. It made selling and buying convenient. The number of credit card holders is increasing day by day.
This is because it is difficult to resist credit card offers. A survey shows over 50% of US residents have credit cards.
You can get a credit card easily. The banks have made this process workable for their customers. Almost any type of bank can issue credit cards. Many banks can issue through some credit card. However, many people worry about whether their card is active.
To use your credit card for purchases and other transactions, it must be open, active, and in good condition. Your credit card can become inactive and unusable under certain circumstances.
There are several ways in which a card can become inactive. If you haven’t used your credit card in months or even years, the credit card issuer can deactivate the card.
Your purchase privileges may be suspended if you are late with your payments. The credit card can become inactive even after it has expired if no new card is issued.
An inactive credit card will be declined if you try to use it. To save yourself a little embarrassment and the hassle of finding a backup payment option, make sure it is active before using it.
Understanding how a credit card works is important. This understanding is especially necessary for newcomers. This also includes knowing whether your card is active. This is because an improperly used credit card can ruin everything for you.
With online payments, credit is good because you can make a transaction quickly. However, to get by without any problems, you must ensure your credit card is active.
It’s problematic if you have a credit card but aren’t sure it’s active. This can be pretty confusing when you are interested in a product and find that you cannot use a credit card to get it.
For this reason, you always need to be sure of the state of your credit card. Sometimes users are not sure about the activation status of their cards. When it is time to use it, it is normal to find that the card is inactive.
How Do Credit Cards Work?
To shop at a brick-and-mortar retailer, you usually insert the credit card into a card reader so that it can read the security chip on the card. You may also be asked to enter your zip code.
At an online retailer, you will be asked to enter your card number, expiration date, security code (usually printed on the back of the card), and your name and billing address.
When you swipe your credit card to make a purchase, the merchant’s credit card terminal asks your credit card issuer if the card is valid and has sufficient funds.
Your credit card issuer will then send a message stating whether the transaction was approved or declined. If it’s approved, you’re good to go. If not, you may have reached your credit card limit or your card has been disabled due to suspected fraudulent activity.
This does not necessarily mean that your identity has been stolen. Card issuers can deactivate your card and contact them if you’ve made unusual purchases.
What is the difference between a Credit card and a Debit card?
While credit and debit cards look the same, they work very differently.
With a credit card, you borrow money from the credit card issuer. With a debit card, you use money from your checking account to pay for purchases. You will also need to enter your PIN to use a debit card.
You can also use a debit card to withdraw cash from your checking account. You can do this at an ATM or when making a purchase. Some credit cards allow you to access cash with a cash advance.
However, these transactions have higher interest rates than purchases and may not have a grace period. In other words, you have to pay interest on the advance.
How to check if the credit card is active
If you’re trying to check if your credit card is active or not, here’s how to check if your credit card is active.
Call customer service
The easiest way to clear up any questions about whether your credit card is still active is to call the issuer and ask. This is a great option for anyone who wants help from a real person instead of machines and equipment. Most banks offer 24-hour customer service.
Call the number on the back of your card to see the status of your account. If inactive, customer service can likely be reactivated.
Test it with a small amount
You may not want to contact the bank or call customer service every time to find out the little details of your card. Here you can use the map directly to see if it is active. You would still have to pay if your card was found to be inactive.
It can also be an embarrassing moment in front of a physical vendor. While it’s not a very convenient method, you can still use it.
If you don’t want to test it in a local store, the solution will test it online. You can try doing a small transaction to see if it works.
A declined card is a sign that it is no longer active. However, this can also mean several other things, such as that the cards have expired or you have reached your credit limit. For these reasons, carrying additional payment methods with you is advisable.
What if you’ve lost or misplaced your credit card and don’t remember the credit card number? You can get the card issuer’s number from their website and give them your social security number to help them find your account (make sure you are on the correct website before giving out your personal information).
The card issuer can send you a replacement credit card if your account is still active.
Check online banking
Online banking is a great way to check your credit card status. Nowadays, most retail stores or restaurants offer online transactions. An online method is better because it allows you to assess your credit card limit, balance, and the active status of your card.
You can use your laptop as well as your smartphone for this. It will be more convenient if your bank has a mobile app. Download it to your phone. This is the easiest way to find out the details of your account at any time.
You can find the software by typing the brand name of the card in a search engine. You can also ask the map provider to install it on your favorite device directly.
Meet a Banker in Person
Your credit card issuing bank may have a local branch. Look online for opening times. Pick a good time to visit with less waiting and road traffic.
Bring physical ID and credit card. The banker needs to know who you are. They will need to match your appearance, photo on ID, and ID information with those on their system before they can proceed with the assistance.
Check your credit report
Finally, your credit report can give you an idea of your credit card status. Credit card issuers usually report their credit card status to credit bureaus once a month.
If your credit card is closed, your credit report will likely reflect it. However, it won’t tell you why your account was closed. You will need to contact your former credit card issuer for this information.
What to do if your card is inactive
Some inactive credit cards can be reactivated simply by calling your credit card issuer and asking. You may need to make up any delayed funds before you can use your card again.
If it is completely closed, you may not be able to open it again, especially if it was closed due to crime.
Once you’ve confirmed that your credit card is still active, you must know how much you can top up. Ask the issuer or check your account for your current balance and available funds before making any purchases. That way, you can be sure you are not exceeding your credit limit.
You are still responsible for making regular minimum payments on your balance even if your credit card is inactive. Lack of credit card payments has serious consequences, including late fees and damage to your creditworthiness.
Credit cards have become an indispensable tool in life. They can be used to make purchases you don’t have money to make or buy something from a remote seller without waiting for a physical check to be delivered.
When deciding whether to get a credit card or delete it entirely, you should consider the pros and cons and decide whether you really need a credit card.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of credit cards
While this has advantages and disadvantages, it can be dangerous soil. An awareness of the pros and cons can help you decide how you want to use credit cards in your life and help you control the risks.
Advantages of credit cards
They are very convenient to use. Most companies accept credit cards. So, you don’t have to stop by the ATM to withdraw cash before going out. Note that in some locations, you may not receive a tip on a credit card.
You have more purchasing options over the phone, the internet, or in person. If all you have is cash, you are limited to personal purchases unless you buy money orders. The choice you have also means you can pay quickly with your card and be on the go.
Pay over time
You have the option of paying off your credit over a certain period. It is recommended that you pay your credit card balance in full each billing cycle to avoid fees and interest.
The exception is charge cards, where you must pay the full amount to keep your card in good condition.
Paying overtime can be beneficial when you need an item or service immediately but don’t have the cash.
READ ALSO: What is a Charge off on a Credit Report? And How to Remove it
Rewards for using it
Some cards allow you to earn rewards that can be used for cash, gift cards, miles, or other merchandise. The more you use your credit card, the more rewards you will earn. You can redeem or save your rewards at any time.
Low introductory prices
Many credit cards bear 0% interest on purchases and transfers for an introductory period of at least six months. This gives you the option to use your card initially and pay off your balance over time without interest.
Security Features
Credit cards are more secure than traditional verification methods. If someone gets access to your checking account, they can dump it. You will then have to wait for the bank to process your fraud report and replace the money.
If your credit card is stolen, you must wait for the issuer to clear the fraud. However, they are not cleaned up in the process.
Controversial billing errors
The right to withhold payment for accounting errors (as long as you deny this in writing). If your statement has an error, you have the right to dispute it with the credit card issuer.
In the meantime, you will only have to pay for this purchase if the credit card issuer’s investigation reveals evidence against you.
Related Post: 10 Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards in Canada | 2023
Disadvantages of credit cards
For all the benefits that come with using them, there are some drawbacks to using credit cards that may prevent you from using them.
Credit cards add to your purchasing power by giving you a credit limit. This limit gives you the illusion that you have more money than you really have because you can spend money that you don’t already have and may not get.
This illusion puts many people into unmanageable credit card debt. If your monthly income is $4,500 and your monthly expenses are $3,000, then you need to set aside an income of $1000. A $6,000 card limit allows you to use $6,000 that you wouldn’t otherwise save for at least six months.
The danger here is the interest rates and the inability to make payments that reduce the balance.
Your future income will be reduced
Your future income will be reduced every time you use a credit card or other debt because you borrow money you don’t have. A portion of your future income must be used to repay your credit card balance if you want to protect your balance.
The more debt you have, the harder it will be to pay off or even pay off your debt. Using your card while making minimum payments will increase your debt and future income.
READ ALSO: How To Use Abundance Checks To Manifest Your Money In 2023
Credit Card Interest, Fees, and Identity
Depending on your credit card rate and how it is used, credit cards can cost hundreds of dollars over the course of a year. Knowing how compound interest works and your billing cycle can help coordinate payments, avoid fees, or increase your balances.
Fees will be charged for late payments. The fees add up quickly and are added to your balance. This means that your fees will then also earn interest.
If you have a credit card, there is a risk of credit card fraud. Thieves don’t have to steal your card to get your information. They can hack into a company’s information network, steal personal information from thousands of customers, and then use it to make fraudulent purchases. (You are usually not liable as long as you report the charges immediately.)
Life of debt
You create more debt every time you use your credit card. You can keep the debt from growing by paying off your monthly balance. However, your debt will grow rapidly if you only make minimum payments and keep making purchases.
Your credit score is directly related to how you use your credit card. If you top up large card balances and are late paying your credit card, your credit score will drop.
Low credit scores don’t just affect your ability to buy products and services. A low score can also affect your professional life.
Low credit scores decrease your ability to use credit when needed. It also shows businesses and employers that you may not be financially responsible.
Conclusion
Credit card debt is a vicious circle to get into and difficult to break. All of this can be avoided by not charging more than you can afford and making timely payments.
Used correctly – when you make your payments on time and keep your balance low – credit cards will help you achieve good credit that qualifies you for any credit you need.
Credit cards are very useful in an emergency. Even the shopkeepers prefer to be paid with a credit card. This is because cashless transactions are easy to perform. However, you must verify your credit card to be able to use it.
References
- How to Know If Your Credit Card Is Still Active – The Balance
- How to Check if Credit Card is Active Online 2022
- smallbusiness.chron.com › Money & Debt › Credit Cards
Writer’s Recommendations
