How to Test a Credit Card Account
When you get a new credit card, you are required to activate it from your home phone. The activation process serves to deter theft of cards from the mail and helps to ensure that only the person who applied for the card can use it. But even though the automated activation process tells you that the card is now active and ready for use, it is still a good idea to test the card to make sure it is active. Trying to use the new card on a date and having it be declined can be very embarrassing, and testing the card will help you avoid that type of situation.
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Instructions
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Turn the card over and locate the customer service number. Call the number listed and go through the automated process to check your account balance. The automated response system should list your current balance as zero. If the card number is not recognized, you know that the activation process did not go through. Stay on the line for a customer service agent who can help you activate the new card.
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Drive to a gas station with self-serve pumps and use your new credit card to buy gas. Be sure to answer all of the prompts. Some gas stations require cardholders to enter their ZIP codes as an extra safety precaution.
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Use the self-checkout lanes at a local supermarket or retail store to test your new card. Make a small purchase and use the new card to pay. This saves you the embarrassment of a face to face transaction should there be a problem with the new card---just make sure you have another form of payment handy in case there is an issue.
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References
- Photo Credit credit cards image by Aleksandr Lobanov from Fotolia.com
