Can You Activate a Netspend Card Without Your SSN? Answered

Short Answer

To activate a Netspend prepaid debit card, you must provide a government-issued identification number. Most commonly, that means a Social Security number, but you could provide an Alien Registration Number instead.

How to Activate Netspend Card Without SSN

To activate a Netspend prepaid card, you’ll need to provide a Social Security number (SSN). You can only activate a Netspend card without a Social Security number (SSN) if you provide another legal identification number, such as an Alien Registration Number.

Netspend customer service representatives were unwilling to say, either by phone or email, whether or not it is possible to activate a Netspend prepaid card without providing a Social Security number or legal identification number.

According to Netspend’s terms and conditions, you must provide a government-issued identification number to activate a card for identity verification purposes. Identity verification is required by federal anti-terrorism laws, as well as insurance regulations.

This process also helps Netspend protect your account from fraud. You will also be asked for your driver’s license number and other personal information.

Full use of the card will be restricted if your identity is only partially verified.

To activate your Netspend prepaid card, you’ll need to follow these steps:

Over the Phone

Step 1. Call (866) 387-7363 and select “activate new card” from the menu options.

Step 2. When prompted, provide the number on the front of the card and the three-digit security number on the back of the card.

Step 3. A customer service representative will ask for some identifying information. This will include your address, date of birth, driver’s license number, and your government-issued identification number. Upon verification, your card will be activated and ready to use.

Online

Step 1. Go to Netspend.com and choose “Activate Card” in the top right corner of the homepage.

Step 2. Enter the number on the front of your card and the three-digit security number on the back of the card.

Step 3. Provide the identifying information required to create an account, including a government-issued identification number. After you have created your account, your card will be activated and ready to use.