How do I activate my Capital One credit card?

Question

In the information I got it says to call the number on the sticker on the back of my card... but there is no sticker. I called the customer service number on the back of my card, but there wasn't an "activate" option...

Answer 1

Contact customer service again and press "0" at the main menu.  They don't usually list this option, because they don't really want to talk to you if they don't have to, since most problems can be fixed with pre-recorded responses anyway.

Also to note, having a Capital One card can hurt your credit score, based on the way they report your available credit...they don't, instead they report the highest balance.  It can appear that you have the card maxed out when you really don't.  Since 30% of your credit score is calculated this way, having this particular brand of card might hurt you.  Of course it depends on other accounts and balances as well.

Answer 2

Call the customer service number again, and this time talk to a real person and report that your card may have been compromised. Tell them you want them to cancel it and send you a new one.

If it was supposed to be sent with a sticker on the back and the sticker's missing, it could be because someone has already activated the card and possibly used it!

Answer 3

Call customer service and try to get a live person.  Explain the situation.  They will either activate the card or give you the number you need.

Answer 4

When you called customer service, you should have asked them this question.  It may not even need to be activated.  Call back and ask them.  That's the only way to get an accurate answer.

Answer 5

I had the same issue. It is already activated. I called Customer Service and they told me :"It is active".They wouldn't give me any explanation why would they send an activated card in the mail.