How Long Does It Take To Get a New Debit Card? (2024)

According to a survey by S&P Intelligence, debit cards overtook credit cards as consumers' preferred payment choice in 2022. Since debit cards offer many advantages, such as lower fees, no interest, and higher spending control, it’s no wonder many users prefer them for everyday expenses.

Still, as is the case with any physical card, debit cards can easily get damaged, stolen, or lost, so it’s important to know what to do in such situations and how to get a replacement debit card if needed. To educate you on the subject, this article will answer questions such as:

• How long does it take to get a new debit card?
• What does the debit card application and replacement process look like?
• How many times can you get a new debit card?

How Long Does It Take To Get a New Debit Card?

The debit card delivery time frame varies depending on the issuer’s internal procedures. Most issuers don’t produce cards at their branches, in which case the card needs to be printed at an external location, personalized, tested, and then shipped, which can take time.

Typically, the new debit card will arrive via mail in seven to ten days. If you pay for expedited delivery, you will receive it in about two to three days.

Some issuers may offer you quicker access to your funds with the following solutions:

• Instant-issue cards—Payment cards printed on the spot, which users can activate and use immediately.
• Temporary cards—Digital stand-in cards that allow the cardholder to access their funds until their physical counterpart arrives.
• Instant spending feature—Option to access the new debit card number via email or banking platform before the physical card arrives and integrate it with a digital wallet.

How To Get a New Debit Card—The Process Explained

To get a debit card, you need to open a checking account at a chosen bank first. You can do so online or at a local branch. Some types of debit cards, such as prepaid and store cards, can be issued without a checking account, though.

Although each bank has distinct policies, most of them require you to be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident. Still, underage individuals may be able to open an account with a legal guardian's consent.

As part of the application process, you’ll likely be asked to provide:

• Personal information, such as your birthdate, contact details, Social Security number, or taxpayer identification number
• A valid government-issued ID, passport, or driver’s license
• Proof of address, such as a utility bill or lease document
• A completed application form
• An initial deposit to fund your account (not all issuers require this, though)

Contact your chosen bank beforehand to learn exactly what documentation you need to bring to open an account with them.

Most banks send you a debit card automatically after opening a bank account. If yours doesn’t, you can request the card over the phone or online. Once it arrives, don’t forget to activate your new card. You may be able to do that using the online banking platform or app or by transacting with the card. In any case, you should follow the bank’s instructions, as this can vary by institution.

How To Replace an Expired Debit Card

When your debit card’s expiration date approaches, you’ll get a notification from the bank. In most cases, the bank will automatically issue a new card and mail it to you within a few days. If not, you should get in touch with their customer service to request a renewal.

After the card arrives, you should:

1. Activate it according to the instructions
2. Update the payment information on websites where you shop or pay for subscriptions using your debit card
3. Review any changes made to the terms and conditions
4. Destroy and dispose of the old debit card

How To Replace a Damaged, Lost, or Stolen Debit Card

If your debit card is damaged so much that its functionality is affected, you can request a replacement online, over the phone, or in person. Your bank may need to verify your identity to move forward with the process.

In the case of a lost or stolen debit card, you can request a replacement from your bank, but you should complete a few additional steps first:

1. Monitor the transaction history to detect unauthorized charges—If someone uses your card, you’ll be able to see where the transaction occurred.
2. Let the bank know immediately—Most of them have 24/7 customer support.
3. Put the card on hold if lost or cancel it if stolen—You can typically do so via the e-banking platform or app.
4. Stay on the lookout—In the case of stolen debit cards, the bank may cancel your card but leave your account open. Regardless, it’s crucial to keep track of your transactions regularly to make sure the hacker hasn’t figured out how to access your account.

While consumer credit cards have robust fraud protection policies thanks to the Fair Credit Billing Act, consumer debit cards are regulated by the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. This law protects you under the condition that you report the loss as soon as possible, so it’s critical to act fast if you notice anything suspicious.

Generally, if you report a stolen or lost debit card before any transactions take place, you won’t be held liable. In case a transaction has already happened, it may entail a liability limit of $50 if reported within two days or $500 if reported within 60 days. After 60 days, your chances of getting your money back may become slimmer.

Still, most issuers offer a zero-liability policy for both credit and debit cardholders, ensuring the consumer doesn’t take any responsibility for fraudulent transactions. Contact the bank to learn which policy applies to your particular case.

How Many Times Can You Get a New Debit Card?

Frequent card replacements may indicate fraudulent activity. Due to security reasons, most banks limit their users to a particular number of replacement cards within a specific time frame. Still, the allotted cards should be more than sufficient for the average user.

If you’re concerned about payment security, relying on replacement debit cards isn’t a practical solution for protecting your card data from being misused.

Virtual Cards Can Save You the Card Replacement Hassle

Making payments on merchants’ websites without taking proper precautions puts your financial information at risk of theft. It is much more prudent to eliminate the possibility of having your card data stolen in the first place. One of the best solutions is switching to virtual cards, which ensures your real card and bank data will remain protected from unauthorized access during online transactions.

According to Zippia, around 30,000 websites are hacked globally every day. Given how many transactions happen online nowadays, this statistic is concerning. What’s more, these attacks can happen to all companies, regardless of their size, industry, or reputation.

If a hacker gets hold of your debit card information, they could sell it on the dark web, use it to withdraw funds, or commit other fraudulent activities. Besides the financial loss, you may experience legal issues and significant emotional distress. If you’re a frequent online shopper, having a multi-layer security system in place is a must.

Virtual cards have recently emerged as an effective and accessible solution. A virtual card comes with a randomly generated 16-digit card number, expiration date, and security code. It’s linked to your bank account or debit card and allows you to make purchases without revealing your real card information during online transactions.

Privacy Virtual Cards take security to the next level, providing their users with numerous features to protect their data and manage their finances.

Privacy Virtual Cards—Safety and Convenience at Your Fingertips

Use Privacy Virtual Cards for online or over-the-phone transactions and shield your financial information from potential hackers. Even if your virtual card data ends up in the wrong hands, you can close the card and generate a new one instantly without affecting your real bank account. That means you don’t have to go through the complicated process of getting a replacement card.

Privacy lets you generate Merchant-Locked or Single-Use Cards. Learn about their differences in the table below:

Customize Your Privacy Virtual Cards

You can pause, unpause, and close your Privacy Cards at any time, blocking all further charges. This feature helps you prevent unauthorized charges from merchants and stop subscription payments you no longer need, as Privacy will decline all attempted charges on a closed or paused card. With adjustable spending limits, you can maintain control of your budget and prevent sneaky merchants from overcharging you.

Check Out Quickly With the Browser Extensions

The Privacy browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari ensure faster and smoother checkouts. They generate and autofill card details for you at checkout, ensuring you don’t have to reach out for your wallet and type in its numbers manually.

Monitor Your Activity With the Privacy Apps

You can create and use Privacy Cards regardless of your location thanks to the iOS and Android mobile apps. By enabling push notifications, you can receive real-time alerts every time a card is used or declined. That way, you can keep track of your transactions in real time.

Enhance Your Security With Privacy

With its BBB® accreditation, Privacy demonstrates its commitment to the highest security standards. It employs robust security measures to safeguard your data, such as Transport Layer Security (TLS), HSTS, and split-key encryption.

To get started with Privacy, follow these four steps:

1. Sign up on the website
2. Enter the information required to verify your identity
3. Connect your bank account or debit card
4. Request a Privacy Virtual Card

You can choose between free (for domestic transactions) and paid pricing plans:

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Privacy Cards can be used at most merchants and websites that accept U.S. credit or debit card payments. Residents over 18 years of age with a checking account at a U.S. bank or credit union are eligible to request Privacy Cards.