Call the number on the back of your card or use the Bank of America app
Bank of America sends you a new credit card in the mail with a sticker on the front that says it is not yet active. You have two main ways to turn it on: call the customer service number printed on the back of the card itself, or use the Bank of America mobile app if you already have one set up on your phone.
The phone route is the fastest if you are calling from the phone number associated with your account. Bank of America's system will recognize you and ask you to confirm the card details — usually the last four digits and the expiration date. The whole call takes about two minutes. If you call from a different phone, you will need to answer security questions instead, which takes a bit longer.
The app route works if you have already downloaded the Bank of America app and logged in with your username and password. Once you open the app, look for a card management section or a prompt that appears when you add a new card to your wallet. The app will walk you through confirming the card and activating it without leaving your phone.
Key Takeaways
- You can set up a Bank of America credit card by calling the number on the back of the card or through the Bank of America mobile app.
- Phone set up takes about two minutes and requires you to confirm the last four digits and expiration date of your card.
- You cannot use the card for purchases or cash advances until you complete set up, even if the card arrives in your mailbox.
- If you lose the card before activating it, call the customer service number on the back of a different Bank of America card or contact your local branch to report it and request a replacement.
What happens if you try to use the card before activating it
If you attempt to make a purchase or withdraw cash before the card is active, the transaction will be declined at the register or ATM. The merchant or ATM will not tell you the card is inactive — it will straightforward say the card was declined, which can be embarrassing if you are at a checkout counter.
This is a security measure. Bank of America does not allow the card to process any transactions until you have confirmed you received it and that it belongs to you. This protects you if someone else intercepts the card in the mail.
Activating a replacement card if yours was lost or damaged
If your card arrives damaged or you never received it, you can request a replacement through the Bank of America app or by calling customer service. The replacement card will also arrive inactive and will need to be activated the same way — by phone or through the app.
If you lost the card after it arrived but before you activated it, call the customer service number on the back of another Bank of America card you own, or visit a local Bank of America branch in person. Tell them the card was lost and ask them to cancel it and send a replacement. The replacement will go through the same set up process.
Timing: how long set up takes to show up in your account
set up is when ready when you complete it by phone or app. You can use the card for purchases right away after you hang up or close the app. There is no waiting period.
However, the card may take a few seconds to a few minutes to show up in your Bank of America online banking account or mobile app as active. If you see it listed as inactive in the app a few minutes after you activated it by phone, refresh the app or log out and back in. The system usually catches up within five minutes.
If you cannot reach customer service or the app is not working
If the phone line is busy or the app is down, you can visit a Bank of America branch in person. Bring your new card and a photo ID. A teller can set up the card for you on the spot, and you can use it when ready after you leave.
Bank of America customer service is available seven days a week. If you call outside business hours, you will reach an automated system that can still set up your card — you do not need to speak to a person. The automated system will ask you to enter the card number and expiration date using your phone keypad.
What to do if you do not remember your PIN
Your Bank of America credit card does not require a PIN for regular purchases at stores or online. You only need a PIN if you want to withdraw cash from an ATM using the card as a debit card, or if you are using it at a terminal that requires a PIN for some other reason.
If you need a PIN and do not remember yours, call the customer service number on the back of the card and ask them to reset it. They will send you a new PIN by mail or may allow you to set one yourself over the phone, depending on the type of card and your account setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else set up my card if they find it in the mail?
No. Bank of America requires you to confirm information that only you should know — either by calling from your registered phone number or by logging into your account in the app. If someone else tries to set up it, the system will ask security questions they cannot answer.
Do I have to set up the card right away or can I wait?
You can wait as long as you want. The card will not expire or lose value while sitting in your drawer. However, you cannot use it for any purchases until you set up it, so there is no practical reason to delay if you plan to use the card.
What if I activated the card but it is still being declined?
After set up, a decline usually means the card has a fraud hold, you have hit your credit limit, or there is a temporary system issue. Call the customer service number on the back of the card and explain that you just activated it and it is being declined. They can check your account and remove any holds or tell you what the actual problem is.
Can I set up a card that was issued to someone else?
No. The set up system requires you to confirm details that match the cardholder's name and account. If the card is in someone else's name, they must set up it themselves or give you written permission and be present when you call.