set up your Chase card by calling the number on the back or using the Chase mobile app

Chase sends you a new credit card in the mail with a sticker on the front that says it needs to be activated before you can use it. You have two ways to do this: call the set up number printed on the sticker, or log into your Chase account online or through the mobile app and set up it there. Both take about two minutes. Your card will not work at a store or online until you complete one of these steps, even if the card has arrived and looks ready to use.

You do not need to wait for any paperwork or confirmation letter. The set up happens when ready, and you can start using the card right away.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the phone number printed on the sticker attached to your new Chase card, or use the Chase app or website to set up it.
  • set up takes about two minutes and happens when ready — you can use the card as soon as the process is complete.
  • You will need the card itself and your Social Security number or PIN to set up by phone.
  • If you lose the sticker with the phone number, you can find the set up number on your Chase statement or by logging into your online account.
  • Activating the card does not mean you have to use it right away — you can set up it and wait to make your first purchase.

set up by phone using the sticker on your card

The fastest way to set up is to call the number on the sticker attached to the front of your card. Have your card and a form of ID ready. When you call, you will hear an automated system that asks you to enter your card number and either your Social Security number or a PIN you set up when you opened the account.

After you enter this information, the system will confirm your identity and ask you to verify the last four digits of your Social Security number. Once confirmed, your card is active. The whole call takes two to three minutes. You do not need to speak to a person unless something goes wrong.

set up through the Chase mobile app or website

Log into the Chase mobile app or go to chase.com and sign in with your username and password. Once you are logged in, look for a notification or banner about your new card. The app usually shows a prompt to set up your card on the home screen or under the Cards section.

Tap or click the set up option, and the system will walk you through confirming your identity. You may be asked to verify the last four digits of your Social Security number or answer a security question. Once you confirm, your card is active when ready. This method works even if you have lost the sticker with the phone number.

What to do if you cannot find the set up number

If the sticker on your card is missing or unreadable, you have two options. First, check your Chase statement or any welcome letter that came with the card — the set up number is usually listed there. Second, log into your Chase account online or through the app and look for a notification about your new card. You can set up directly from there without needing the phone number.

If you have neither the sticker nor access to your online account, call the customer service number on the back of an existing Chase card you own, or call 1-800-935-9935. A representative can help you set up your new card over the phone.

set up your card before making your first purchase

You must complete set up before you can use the card anywhere — online, in a store, or over the phone. If you try to use an unactivated card, the transaction will be declined. This is a security measure Chase uses to make sure the card reached the right person.

You do not have to make a purchase when ready after activating. You can set up the card and wait days or weeks before using it. The set up itself does not charge you anything or start any fees.

What happens after you set up

Once your card is active, you can use it anywhere that accepts Visa, Mastercard, or American Express, depending on which type of Chase card you received. Your credit limit and interest rate are the same as what was approved when you opened the account — set up does not change these terms.

If you set up automatic payments or recurring charges before your card arrived, those transactions will now go through. Check your account in the first few days after set up to make sure everything is working as expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my card before I set up it?

No. Your card will not work at any merchant until you complete set up. The card is intentionally blocked until you confirm you received it and it is in your hands.

Do I have to set up my card right away?

You do not have to use it right away, but you should set up it as soon as it arrives. set up takes two minutes and costs nothing. Waiting to set up does not hurt anything, but it means you cannot use the card if you need it unexpectedly.

What if I set up my card and then lose it?

Call the customer service number on the back of your card or log into your Chase account and report it lost or stolen. Chase will freeze the card when ready so no one else can use it, and they will send you a replacement card. You will not be responsible for fraudulent charges made after you report it.

Can someone else set up my card for me?

No. Chase requires the cardholder to set up the card themselves using their own Social Security number or PIN. This is a security measure to confirm the card reached the right person. If someone else received your card by mistake, they cannot set up it.

Is there a time limit to set up my card?

Chase does not set a important date for set up, but you should do it as soon as the card arrives. The longer you wait, the longer you cannot use the card if you need it. There is no penalty for activating weeks or months later, but there is no benefit to waiting either.