Activating Your Credit Card: A Step-by-Step Guide

There are a variety of privileges in credit cards from a discount on shopping to the privilege of accessing lounges. In order to make use of the privilege, one must activate the card. There is a common misconception that getting a credit card does not automatically imply that one can start making usage of the card. Rather, activation of the card requires, which says yes to making usage of the card. How to Activate a Credit Card

Card activation can be done through different modes that have been designed to cater to individual requirements:

1. Net Banking

- Log in to your internet banking account

- Click on the credit card activation link

- Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number and submit

2. Mobile App

- Download and log in to the mobile application of your bank using your credentials

- Access the cards option and tap on your credit card

- Now activate your right to conduct a transaction in order to finalize activation

3. Customer Care

- Call the customer care number of your bank

- Provide the asked card information

-Now just follow the prompts to get your card activated

4. Offline Activation

- Go to your credit card issuer's nearest branch.

- Give your credit card and valid identification to the representative.

- Activate your card with the help of the bank representative.

Why is Activation important?

Activation of the credit card is one of the most important steps that has given the implicit permission to use the card. RBI issued a guideline on 7 March 2024 stating that unsolicited credit cards cannot be issued by the card issuers. Explicit consent from the customer is required before activation.

RBI has said that customer-driven activation for using the card, such as:

-PIN generation.

-Transactional settings, change in.

-IVR or recorded calls to the customer care centre.

-SMS confirmation.

RBI Guidelines on Unsolicited Cards

If a customer receives an unsolicited solicited card, he should not activate it. The RBI stipulates that issuers are to close such accounts free of charge to the customer within seven working days if the customer gives no consent for activation. Activation without consent is forbidden and protects the customers against unauthorized charges.

This process is not just a technological step but is also quite necessary for obtaining consent and thereby ensuring compliance with the rule of law. Knowing ways of activation, and that they are vital, let cardholders safely begin the process of credit card utilization-thus, risk-free to remain within the safe zones.