How to Activate My Credit Card in Scotiabank in 6 Easy Steps

As a Scotiabank customer, you should know how to activate credit card Scotiabank offline and online. Without activation, you won’t be able to make use of your credit card, which can put you in some sticky situations when you need funds the most.

The first step is to ensure you have a Scotia credit account set up alongside a banking account. If you don’t have an active online banking account, you must create one to activate the credit card. You can also visit the nearest Scotiabank branch and get help from customer care. 

How to Activate Scotiabank Credit Card

Once your new credit card application goes through, Scotiabank will send it to your address in a deactivated state. They do so to prevent misuse of the card by an unauthorized person if it gets lost or stolen. 

Therefore, you must activate the card to use it. Luckily, credit card activation is an easy process that will only take a few of your minutes. Follow these steps to complete the activation: 

If you use internet banking;

1. Log in to your Scotiabank internet banking account
2. Check for ‘account activation’ on the homepage and click on it.
3. Enter your card’s details. These are the card number, expiry date, and date of birth.
4. Tap on ‘Submit’
5. The bank will send an OTP to your contact number.
6. Enter the OTP in the space provided and tap on Continue. 

You can also activate the credit card through your bank’s mobile App. But first, you must set up a mobile banking account to activate your credit card. If you don’t have the mobile App, you can download it and follow these steps. 

1. Log in to your Scotiabank mobile application
2. Tap on ‘Register’ or ‘Activate a card.’
3. Check for the ‘credit card option and click on it.
4. Enter the card’s details, including the card number, expiry date, and date of birth.
5. Select ‘Next,’ and tap on ‘Send OTP.’
6. Enter the OTP and Submit
7. Create a user ID and a secure password. 
8. Click a security question and set up the answer
9. Finish by clicking ‘OK.’

If you cannot activate your credit card using the steps above, you can ask for assistance from the bank. Get the correct contacts for Scotiabank customer support service and follow the guide they will give you. 

The other alternative is visiting the nearest Scotiabank branch near you. The customer support staff will help you activate the card, and you can ask for a guide on starting the card yourself. 

How to Activate A Supplementary Credit Card?

A supplementary credit card is issued under another person’s credit card account. The primary owner states the beneficiaries: their children, spouse, parents, or siblings. 

The primary cardholder must activate the card using the instructions provided on it. This happens for any new cards the primary owner requests or all the secondary credit cards listed under their account. 

You can add a new credit card to your profile

Adding a credit card account to your existing Scotiabank account profile is easy. 

1. On your account, choose the Manage My Accounts option
2. Tap on Manage ScotiaCard and Account Access
3. Navigate to the settings under ScotiaCard access and tap on Online/Mobile Banking
4. Input your Access code and tap on Continue

What If the New Credit Card Doesn’t Work?

 Every new credit card user will expect their card to work immediately after the activation. However, sometimes there are unforeseen errors, and the card could fail to function. 

If you realize your activated credit card is not working, contact Scotiabank for assistance. They will guide you on what to do next. 

Is There A Deadline for Credit Card Activation?

Sometimes you will miss the mail that your credit card has arrived, and it ends up staying in the mailbox for months. While some credit card issuers don’t have a deadline for card activation, others give the new users a couple of months. 

Therefore, whether there is a credit card activation deadline depends on the card issuer. Also, leaving your card inactivated does not close the credit account. Instead, your credit account is opened automatically after approval to get the card. 

Although failure to activate the card will keep your debt at zero, you could incur an annual fee. Instead of leaving it to accrue annual fees, contact the issuer and ask them to close the credit account. 

Tips on Using the Credit Card Wisely

Congratulations on successfully activating your new credit card! You can now start using it, but ensure you use it responsibly to maintain a good credit score. 

Some tips to help you are;

• Create A Budget

Swiping a credit card to buy goods and services can seem easy and cost-free, but you will enter into debt. Avoid using more than you can pay by creating a budget. You must know the maximum amount you can use on your credit card and use only that. 

Not using more than your credit card limit helps you save money and save you from interest charges and penalties. Besides, you will improve your credit score and increase your credit limit if you pay the debt owed promptly. 

• Make On-Time Payments

One way to maintain a good credit score is by making credit card payments on time. You can set a reminder on your calendar or get automatic payment from your bank account to avoid being late. 

Missing payments damages your credit score and could accrue unnecessary fees from the issuer. In addition, the credit issuer could also increase your interest rates. These consequences also apply if you max out your credit card. 

You’ll incur currency exchange rates if you pay your credit card in a different currency. The fees you pay depend on the financial institution. To be safer, exchange your money at Knightsbridge FX. The rates are more favorable, and the exchange process is more straightforward. 

• Take Note of The Credit Card Rewards

Credit cards have different credit rewards structures depending on the issuer. Check the purchases that will earn you the most cash back and take advantage of those. You can also check for the sign-up bonus and collect credit card rewards from them. 

Also, credit card firms give new users a credit card grace period, where they can use the card without paying interest. Ensure you make payments of your statement balance at the right time so that the issuer does not charge interest on your new purchases. 

Final Words

Knowing how to activate a credit card at Scotiabank is straightforward. You can activate the card using the mobile or internet banking app or call the bank’s customer service directly. You can also visit the nearest Scotiabank branch for help with activating the card. Once you successfully activate it, ensure you use it responsibly to increase your credit score.