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HL1Housing Living 101

How to Turn On Your Chase Debit Card

By Courtney Voss
6 minute read

Chase debit cards need to be turned on before you can use them, and the bank gives you several ways to do it

When you receive a new Chase debit card in the mail, it arrives inactive. You cannot swipe it, insert it into an ATM, or use it online until you complete one simple step. Chase lets you turn it on through their mobile app, their website, by phone, or at an ATM — whichever is fastest for you. Most people finish in under two minutes.

The reason Chase requires this step is security. By making you confirm you received the card, the bank knows the card is in your hands and not lost in the mail or stolen before it reaches you. It also gives you a chance to spot a problem — like receiving someone else's card by mistake — before the card becomes active.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase debit cards arrive inactive and must be turned on before any purchase or ATM withdrawal will work.
  • You can turn on your card through the Chase mobile app, Chase.com, by calling 1-800-935-9935, or at any Chase ATM.
  • The mobile app and website methods take about one minute and require your card number and date of birth.
  • If you turn on your card at an ATM, you insert it and follow the on-screen prompts without needing your PIN yet.
  • Once your card is on, you can set a PIN at an ATM or through the app if you have not already.

Turning on your card through the Chase app

Open the Chase Mobile app on your phone and sign in with your username and password. Tap the card you want to turn on — it will show as inactive. Select the option to turn on or activate your card. The app will ask you to confirm your card number and date of birth, then show you a confirmation message.

This method works whether your phone is on WiFi or cellular data. You do not need to be near a Chase branch or ATM. If you do not have the Chase app yet, you can download it free from the Apple App Store or Google Play, then sign in with your existing Chase online banking username.

Turning on your card through Chase.com

Go to Chase.com and sign into your account. Look for a section labeled "Cards" or "Debit Cards" — the exact wording changes depending on your account type. Find your new card in the list and select it. You should see an option to turn on the card. Chase will ask you to confirm your card number and date of birth before completing the process.

This route works from any computer or phone with internet access. If you have trouble finding the card in your account, try logging out and logging back in, as new cards sometimes take a few minutes to appear in the system.

Turning on your card by phone

Call Chase customer service at 1-800-935-9935. Have your card and a form of ID ready. Tell the representative you need to turn on your debit card. They will verify your identity by asking for information like your date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security number, or answers to security questions you set up when you opened your account.

Once verified, the representative will turn on your card over the phone. This usually takes five to ten minutes. This method is useful if you do not have a smartphone or prefer to speak with a person, or if you are having trouble with the app or website.

Turning on your card at a Chase ATM

Insert your new debit card into any Chase ATM. The machine will recognize that the card is inactive and walk you through the process on the screen. Follow the prompts, which typically ask you to confirm your date of birth or answer a security question. The ATM will then turn on your card.

You do not need to know your PIN yet to complete this step — the ATM only needs to confirm your identity. After your card is on, you can set or change your PIN at the same ATM or do it later through the app.

Setting your PIN after turning on your card

Your PIN (personal identification number) is the four-digit code you use at ATMs and when you insert your card into a payment terminal at a store. Chase does not assign you a PIN automatically. You choose your own PIN the first time you use your card at an ATM or through the app.

To set your PIN through the app, open Chase Mobile, go to your card settings, and look for "PIN" or "Security." You can create a new PIN or change an existing one. At an ATM, insert your card after it is turned on, and the machine will prompt you to create a PIN if you do not have one yet. Do not use obvious numbers like your birth year or a sequence like 1234.

What to do if your card will not turn on

If you try to turn on your card and get an error message, the most common cause is that the card number or date of birth you entered does not match what Chase has on file. Double-check that you typed the 16-digit number correctly — it is printed on the front of your card. Make sure your date of birth is in the format Chase expects, usually MM/DD/YYYY.

If the information is correct and the card still will not turn on, call Chase at 1-800-935-9935. The representative can check whether there is a hold on the card or a problem with your account. Sometimes a new card takes a few hours to appear in Chase's system, so waiting a few hours and trying again can also help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my card before I turn it on?

No. Any attempt to use an inactive Chase debit card — whether you swipe it, insert it, or use the card number online — will be declined. The card must be turned on first through one of the methods above.

Do I have to turn on my card right away?

You do not have to turn it on immediately, but there is no reason to wait. Turning it on takes one to two minutes and does not cost anything. The sooner you turn it on, the sooner you can use it if you need to.

What if I lose my card before I turn it on?

Call Chase at 1-800-935-9935 and report it lost. Chase will cancel that card and can send you a replacement. Because the card was never turned on, no one else could have used it even if they found it.

Can I turn on my card if I do not have online banking set up yet?

Yes. You can turn on your card at any Chase ATM or by calling 1-800-935-9935 without needing online banking. If you want to use the app or website, you will need to set up online banking first, which takes a few minutes and requires your Social Security number and other identifying information.

Will turning on my card affect my credit score?

No. Turning on a debit card has no effect on your credit score because debit cards are not a form of credit — you are spending money you already have in your account. Credit scores only change based on credit activity, like credit card payments or loans.