- Mobile Wallet
- VISA 3-D Secure
- Debit Card Alerts
- Debit Card Expiration or ReplacementDebit Card Expiration or Replace...
Here at Greater Alliance, we spend a lot of time talking about the benefits of our debit cards. But if you’ve been swiping the same card for a while, you might be wondering, what happens when your debit card expires?
We will mail you a new debit card and will mail the month’s current card’s expiration date. However, if your card has already expired, you will need to call us at 201-599-5500 or visit one of our branches to request a new one.
Will A Debit Card Work If It’s Expired?
No, you cannot use an expired debit card to make a purchase of any kind. Additionally, if you have any automatic payments that are connected to your expired debit card, you will need to update your billing information so that your future payments don’t get declined.
This is also why we recommend paying as many of your automatic payments with an ACH check. Since ACH payments are connected directly to your checking account, you will never have to worry about missing a payment.
Why Do Debit Cards Expire?
The hassles and inconveniences of expired debit cards make many people question the importance of having expiration dates. For instance, you won’t be able to withdraw or deposit money at an ATM. Also, all automatic bill payments will bounce if your debit card expires.
Here are the reasons why it’s necessary to have expiration dates on debit cards:
- Method of fraud prevention: To make purchases online, the card owner must present the expiration date and the CVV number. Just like changing your PIN occasionally, the expiration date and the CVV number must change over time to make the card more secure.
- Ensure your card stays in good working order: Debit cards get damaged over time from wear and tear. Whether it’s the number wearing off, the magnetic stripe or chip getting scratched, the card cracking, a card’s wear and tear can render it unreadable and stop working unexpectedly. To keep the plastic card in good working order, issuers set expiration dates for an old card to be replaced with a new one.
- Keep up with tech changes: Debit cards and card readers must keep pace with rapid tech changes. When old cards expire, banks issue new ones that come loaded with the latest security features, making it harder for fraudsters to use stolen cards. For instance, earlier versions of debit cards used a mag strip vs. new debit/credit cards replaced with more secure EMV chips.
When Does A Debit Card Expire?
Debit cards typically expire within 2 to 5 years of their issue date and are good through last day of the expiration month printed on the front of the card. For instance, if your debit card’s expiration date reads 08/23, then it will expire at the end of the day on August 31, 2023.
Can You Still Use Digital Banking When your debit Card Expires?
Yes, you can use all of your Digital Banking features even if your debit card is expired. You just won’t be able to make any purchases with your expired debit card. You should, however, be able to make ACH payments, transfers.
How Long Can You Use A Debit Card After It Expires?
You cannot use a debit card after it has expired. For example, if the expiration date on a debit card reads 07/23, then the card cannot be used for any purpose after July 2023. This is why we will send you a new debit card during the month of the expiration of your current card.
Do Debit Card Numbers Change With A New Debit Card?
When your card expires, the sixteen-digit number on your new debit card may change.
3 Things To Do When You Get A New Debit Card
Getting a new debit card can be a little inconvenient, but it is necessary for your financial protection. Here are the three steps we recommend you take when you are issued a brand-new debit card.
1. Activate Your New Card
When you get your debit card in the mail, you will notice an activation sticker on the front. Typically, it will have an activation number that you can call to activate your card. It’s pretty simple. You just call the number and follow the prompts. Typically, you will need to enter your 16-digit card number, the CVV number, and then your pin. And there you go. Your card is activated.
Another great method for activating your debit card is to use an ATM. If you use your new debit card to make a deposit or withdrawal through an ATM at your credit union and enter your pin, your card will be activated.
2. Dispose Of Your Expired Debit Card
Once you know your new debit card is active, it is time for you to get rid of that old, worn-down piece of junk debit card you’ve been using for the last three years. But, it is a bad idea to just throw it away.
Instead, you should either shred it or cut it into small pieces. I even go as far as separating the shredded pieces into a couple of different trash bags, which I then throw out on separate trash days.
3. Update Accounts Associated With Your Debit Card
When you get a new debit card, you need to go through your finances and update any accounts associated with your expired debit card. I’m talking about automatic bill payments, online subscriptions, PayPal, Venmo, and anything else that could cause a payment to slip through the cracks.
