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Mastercard is a widely known financial services company. The company does not issue cards but processes payment transactions. All questions about your Mastercard credit card, prepaid card, debit card or gift card should be addressed to the issuing company. The card activation process is the same. No matter what type of card you have, you can activate a Mastercard card by calling a toll-free number shown on the back of your card.
However, in some instances you don't have to activate your Mastercard card. For example, many Mastercard Prepaid Gift cards, that are sold in retail locations, are automatically activated when the card is purchased. Prepaid cards may also require a registration, in order to take advantage of the reload function and benefits such as zero liability or card replacement. All in all, activation and registration requirements vary, so it is recommended to check your card packaging for detailed instructions.
Below is an overview of the Mastercard activation process that will work for all types of credit cards:
- Find the toll-free number on the back of your new Mastercard card or on the sticker on the front of your card and call it. The activation system is automatic, so listen and follow the instructions carefully.
- Provide the card number displayed on the front of your card, expiration date, and the three-digit CVC security number (find it on the back of your card) to continue the activation.
- Verify your identity by answering the security question. Also, you may be asked to provide four last digits of your SSN, your date of birth, and the street address.
Your credit card will be activated and ready to use once you're through these steps. If you have further questions about how to activate the card, you can call the customer service number on the back of your card. Also, when you have questions about how to use Mastercard, how to have a Mastercard PIN, or how to create Mastercard account access, you should contact your card issuer.