How to find important details about your debit and credit cards

When opening an account with a bank or financial institution, you’re highly likely to be provided with a debit or credit card, depending on the type of account being opened.

When you receive your debit or credit card, you’ll notice that it has certain letters and numbers embossed on it.

But what do these letters and numbers mean?

In this blog post, we explore some of the most commonly asked questions regarding numbers on your debit or credit cards, so keep reading to find out more!

What is the issue number on my credit card?

The issue number on a credit card is usually a one or two-digit number on the front of the card. 

However, most cards don’t have this number on them. While Solo, Switch and Maestro users may have this number, American Express and other cards often don’t.

If you’ve been asked to enter an issue number when making a purchase online with your credit card, it’s advisable to enter the number 0 in place of the issue number.

How do I find my account number on my debit card?

In short, you will not be able to find your bank account number on your debit card as it is not typically embossed on it.

The information that’s embossed on a debit card often includes the number of the card, but not your bank account number.

Here are some ways to find your bank account number:

• Internet banking: when you log into your online account, you’ll be able to find your account number there.
• Contacting your bank: a bank’s customer care department should be able to assist you in providing you with your account number if you authenticate yourself effectively.
• Your monthly banking statement: this statement typically contains your bank account number and you can download it when you log into your online banking account, or have it printed out at your bank’s branch.

Why Is My Debit Card Declining When I Have Money?

Where is the card number on a debit card?

The card number on a debit card, which is different to the bank account number discussed above, is the 16-digit number that’s either been printed or embossed on the front side of the card.

It is relatively easy to pinpoint. 

Other information that usually appears on the front side of the card includes the cardholder’s name and surname and the expiry date of the card.

How to find out your debit card number without the card

We use our debit cards to make purchases – whether online or in person – on a daily basis.

However, if you don’t have your debit card number to make an online purchase (which is necessary in online shopping), you may wonder how to find out what this number is without having your card at hand.

If you don’t have your card available, there are some steps you can take.

These involve getting in touch with your bank – by phone or in person – and identifying yourself. 

The bank will then verify your identity based on further information or documentation which you may be asked to provide, and can then give you your card number.

On the other hand, if you’re a myPOS merchant, you can easily see this number in your online merchant account, enabling you to proceed to make your purchases seamlessly. 

Remember that if you don’t have your card with you because you’ve lost your card or if it’s been stolen, you need to report this to your bank or financial services provider immediately or as soon as possible.

The reason for this is so that the fraudster who is in possession of your card does not deplete your funds and steal them, and so that the bank can protect you and issue you with a new card for your continued convenience and use of the service.

It’s a numbers game

When you get your debit or credit card from a bank or financial institution, you may not know what some of the numbers embossed or printed on the card mean at first.

But with this blog post, we hope we’ve answered some of the more common questions related to your credit and debit card numbers and accounts and that you will be better informed going forward!

Disclaimer: Please be aware that the contents of this article and the myPOS Blog, in general, should not be interpreted as legal, monetary, tax, or any other kind of professional advice. You should always seek to consult with a professional before taking action, since the particulars of your situation may materially differ from other cases.