Activate bank of america prepaid debit card

It’s easy to activate and use your card.

There are three ways to activate your debit card.

  1. You can activate it online, or from your Wells Fargo Mobile® app.
  2. Call 1-877-294-6933 from your home or mobile phone.
  3. You can activate the card by using it with your PIN at any Wells Fargo ATM.

Note: PIN may be required when activating your debit card. If you don’t already have a PIN, it would have been mailed to you separately from your card.

Use your debit card as a safer, convenient way to access your money.

  • Make purchases and pay bills at participating retailers and service providers ― including online or by phone.
  • Use your card to get cash, make deposits, and more at approximately 12,000 Wells Fargo ATMs.

Frequently asked questions

Is it important to activate my debit card?

Yes, activating your debit card as soon as you receive it in the mail is a necessary step for you to use your card, and an important step to help protect yourself from fraud.

How do I turn my debit card on or off?

If you have misplaced your card and need time to find it, you can temporarily turn your card off to help prevent unauthorized card transactions. When you find it, you can easily turn your card back on. Sign on to Wells Fargo Online® or log into your Wells Fargo Mobile app to access Turn Card On or Off. You can also call us at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557) for personal debit or prepaid cards.

If you think your card has been lost or stolen, you can order a replacement card online, from your Wells Fargo Mobile app, or by calling us. For personal cards call 1-800-869-3557.

How does Wells Fargo help protect my debit card?

Your Wells Fargo Debit Card comes with Zero Liability protection at no extra cost. You will be reimbursed for any unauthorized card transactions when reported promptly.

We regularly review your accounts for unusual activity. If you receive an alert from us for potential suspicious card activity, review and respond promptly to verify the transactions. You do not need to enroll to receive this alert.

How can I better protect myself and my debit card?

There are several things that you can do to help protect yourself when using your debit card.

  • Be cautious. When you use your debit card at any sales counter or ATM, be aware when people are near or behind you. To keep others from seeing your PIN, you can use your hand or body to shield their view of the keypad.
  • Sign up for alerts. Our debit card alerts help you stay informed about activity on your debit card. You can set up alerts to notify you when, for example, your card:
    • Is used for an online, phone, or mail order purchase
    • Is used with an international merchant or at an ATM outside the United States
    • Is used to make a single purchase that exceeds an amount you specify
    • Is used to make an ATM withdrawal that exceeds an amount you specify
  • Monitor your account regularly. With Wells Fargo Online you can securely access your accounts and keep track of your transactions and balances at any time. You can do this via your computer, tablet, or mobile device.
  • Learn more about protecting your identity and funds. Start by reviewing these helpful Fraud Prevention Tips.

If you suspect any fraudulent activity on your debit card, call us immediately at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557).

What should I do if I haven’t received my debit card or my PIN?

Please call us immediately at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557) if you haven't received your debit card. 

If you do not already have a PIN, you will receive it separately from your card. If you receive your card but you do not receive your PIN, please visit your nearest Wells Fargo branch.

  Get answers  

IMPORTANT: Please note that the department is transitioning from paying unemployment insurance claimants their benefits with a Bank of America debit card to direct deposit or paper check through Wells Fargo. Claimants will begin receiving their benefit payments via direct deposit or paper check in May 2021. Find more information about the transition and next steps claimants need to take.

Activate bank of america prepaid debit card
In order to provide benefit payments in a secure and quick manner, the State of Maryland issues unemployment insurance benefit payments with the Maryland Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits Debit Card. If you wish to receive your benefit payments by having a paper check mailed to your address instead, please call:

  • 667-207-6520 (outside of Maryland or within the Baltimore-metro calling area);
  • Otherwise, call 1-800-827-4839 to request this option.

This Visa® debit card is issued through Bank of America. There is no activation fee or purchase fee to use the Bank of America Visa® debit card. View additional disclosures about the debit card.

If your Ul payments are not approved, you will not receive a debit card. Some reasons that could prevent you from being approved for payment are: you do not have sufficient wages to be eligible; you have been denied Ul benefits; or you have not filed a timely continued claim (request for payment). You will also not receive a debit card if you choose to receive your benefit payment by paper check.

If your Ul payments are approved, you will receive a notice entitled "Notice of First Benefit Payment Approval and Mailing of Your Bank of America Benefits Debit Card." You will then receive your debit card within 7-10 days. The card will arrive in a WHITE envelope with the State of Maryland flag and a Gray, Tennessee return address in the upper left-hand corner. Once you receive your card, you may access your first payment. If you continue to meet all of the eligibility requirements of the Maryland Ul Law and file timely continued claims (request for payment), you will have a safe and convenient way to receive and access your Maryland Ul benefits. Your Bank of America Debit card is valid for three years.

To access your funds with your card, free of charge, you can:

  • Access cash through bank tellers at any bank that accepts Visa.
  • Withdraw cash from a Bank of America ATM fee free.
  • Get cash back at select retail point-of-sale locations.
  • Make purchases through signature or pin-based transactions.
  • Make 6 fee free withdrawals per month using an ATM outside of the Bank of America ATM network. The owner of the ATM may charge a fee.

You also have the option of having your UI benefit payments transferred from the debit card to your personal bank account. Bank of America will include instructions for choosing this option when you receive the UI debit card package. You must have an e-mail address in order to transfer funds into your personal bank account.

You will also have the option of having your Ul benefits paid by a paper check mailed to your address. You may choose the paper check option when you initially file for benefits or you may choose the paper check option after you have been approved for benefit payments. Your address must be up-to-date and correct in order to receive a paper check.

Report any address change immediately to the Division of Unemployment Insurance ONLY, by calling 667-207-6520 or 1-800 827-4839 (from outside Baltimore area but within Maryland).

When you receive the card, for security purposes, be sure to immediately sign your name on the back of the card in ink. You cannot use the card until it has been activated. To activate your card and create a PIN, you must call Bank of America at 1-855-847-2029; TTY 866-656-5913. PLEASE DIAL CAREFULLY! Choose a PIN that only you would know. Never share your PIN or your card with anyone. You will be held legally responsible for all activity connected to the card.

Important: DO NOT THROW AWAY OR DESTROY your debit card if you stop filing for UI benefits as the card is valid for a three (3) year period.

ADDITIONAL DEBIT CARD INFORMATION

Avoiding Fraud

Stopping criminals
Sometimes criminals will try to trick individuals into disclosing personal information in a text, email or on a phone call. Phony emails may direct you to a fraudulent website that looks like a Bank of America website. These phony emails may even ask you to call a phone number and provide account information. Please remember that:

  • Bank of America will never ask you in an email or text to disclose any personal information, such as your Social Security Number, PIN (Personal Identification Number) or Prepaid Card Number
     
  • Offers that sound too good to be true often are. You may be asked to fill out a short survey in exchange for money being credited to your account at the account number you provide. Bank of America will never request your information in this way
     
  • Claims that your account may be closed if you fail to confirm, verify or authenticate personal information are not from Bank of America

If you receive a suspicious email or are directed to a website that also looks like Bank of America, report it to and then delete the suspicious email.

How do I activate my prepaid Bank of America card?

How do I activate the Prepaid Card? You can activate the Card online at www.bankofamerica.com/commercialprepaidcard. You can also activate the Card by calling 1.866. 213.8564 toll free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Can I activate my Bank of America debit card online?

To activate a new card, use one of the following methods: Online - Visit the Bank of America debit card website and select Activate My Card. By phone - If you are calling from within the United States, call 1-866-692-9374 or 1-866-656-5913 (TTY).

Do you have to activate prepaid debit cards?

If you don't register your prepaid card, you may not be able to use some of the prepaid card's features. You may also have fewer protections in the case of loss or theft. Some providers require you to register your card upon purchase, while others ask that you register after you get the card.

How do I activate my prepaid gift card?

You can activate your card by calling the phone number printed on it, or by going online and entering the card's information. Once activated, you can register your card if you'd like to use it for online purchases.