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1Locating the Account Number on Your Card
2Looking up Your Account Number without a Card
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Article Summary
Co-authored byMegaera Lorenz, PhDReviewed byAlex Kwan
Last Updated: August 25, 2023Fact Checked
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If you have a credit card, you may need to know your account number to pay your bill or to access your information. Luckily, it’s easy to find your account number with or without your credit card on hand.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Locating the Account Number on Your Card
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1
Find the number located on the front of your card. Your credit card number should be either printed or embossed in raised numbers across the front of your card. This is usually a 16-digit number, although it may be anywhere from 12 to 19 digits.
2
Skip past the first 6 numbers on your card. This is the Issuer Identification Number (IIN), also known as the Bank Identification Number (BIN). This number tells merchants the type of card you have and what bank issued your card. This information is not considered part of your account number.[1]
- The first number of the IIN depends on what major credit card company issued your card. For instance, all Visas start with the number 4, while Mastercards begin with either 5 or 2.
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3
Exclude the last number on your card. The last number on your card is known as a check digit and is not part of your account number. Credit card processors use a special calculation known as the LUHN Formula to determine if a card number is authentic. The formula involves multiplying and adding together the numbers of your card, and the check digit is added so that the final sum is divisible by 10.[2]
4
Write down the remaining numbers to find your account number. Once you have excluded the IIN and check digit, the remaining numbers will be your account number. If you have a 16-digit card number, your account number should be 9 digits.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Looking up Your Account Number without a Card
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1
Check your credit card statement if you get a paper bill. Your account number may be listed with your personal information at the top of the bill. However, due to security concerns, some credit card companies only include the last 4 digits of your account number on your statement.[3]
2
Access your account online if you have that option. Many credit card companies now use online banking as a secure and convenient option for customers to manage their information.Visit your credit card company’s website, log in, and navigate to your account information to find your account number.
- If you’ve never used your credit card company’s online banking option, you may have to enter your account number in order to create a login. If this is the case, you’ll need to call the credit card company to get the information you need.
3
Call the credit card company. If you do not have access to your credit card and you can’t find your account number on your statement or online, call your credit card company to get your account number. The number for your credit card company should be located on your bill, or you can look online to find it.[4]
- When you call, you will likely have to provide the customer service agent with identifying information such as your social security number or mother’s maiden name.
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Community Q&A
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Question
How do I find my credit card account number if I don't have a credit card?
Community Answer
Assuming you mean you have lost your physical card, call customer service and tell them you need a new card. You should be able to find the phone number on your credit card issuer's website or on your bill.
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Question
What do I do if the last four digits on my debit card have disappeared?
Community Answer
Ask the card issuer (or the bank that you got the card from) for a replacement.
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Question
If I share my credit card number online, will my money be stolen?
Community Answer
No. Your credit card has no money to steal. Your credit card simply represents your promise to pay in the future. If someone "steals" your account number and uses it to make a purchase, you can challenge the charge as soon as you learn of it and will not have to pay it. (You may have to close the account.) Credit card numbers are shared online and over the phone billions of times every day typically without problems.
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References
- ↑ https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/online-mobile-banking-tips-beginners/
- ↑ https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Administrative-Simplification/NationalProvIdentStand/Downloads/NPIcheckdigit.pdf
- ↑ https://mycreditunion.gov/life-events/checking-credit-cards/credit-cards/statement
- ↑ https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/lost-or-stolen-credit-atm-debit-cards
About This Article
This article was reviewed by Alex Kwan and by wikiHow staff writer, Megaera Lorenz, PhD. Alex Kwan is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the CEO of Flex Tax and Consulting Group in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has also served as a Vice President for one of the top five Private Equity Firms. With over a decade of experience practicing public accounting, he specializes in client-centered accounting and consulting, R&D tax services, and the small business sector. This article has been viewed 876,978 times.
618 votes - 55%
Co-authors: 13
Updated: August 25, 2023
Views:876,978
Categories: Credit Cards
Article SummaryX
To find your credit card account number, start by finding the number located on the front of your card. Then, skip the first 6 numbers, exclude the last number, and whatever is left is your account number. If you don't have your credit card, you can find your account number on a paper bill or by logging into your account online. To learn how to access your credit card account number by calling customer service, scroll down!
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Greetings, enthusiasts of finance and credit card intricacies. I am an industry expert with a profound understanding of financial systems and credit card mechanisms. My expertise is grounded in both practical experience and comprehensive knowledge of the subject matter.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article, "How to Find Your Credit Card Account Number." The article provides guidance on two methods: locating the account number on your card and looking up your account number without a card.
Locating the Account Number on Your Card:
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Credit Card Number Format: The credit card number is typically a 16-digit code, although it can range from 12 to 19 digits. This number is either printed or embossed on the front of the card.
-
Issuer Identification Number (IIN): The first six digits of the credit card number constitute the Issuer Identification Number (IIN) or Bank Identification Number (BIN). This section indicates the card's type and the issuing bank.
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Check Digit: The last digit of the credit card number is known as the check digit. It is excluded when determining the account number. The check digit is calculated using the LUHN Formula to validate the authenticity of the card.
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Account Number Calculation: To find the account number, exclude the IIN and check digit. The remaining digits, usually nine in a 16-digit card, constitute the account number.
Looking up Your Account Number without a Card:
-
Credit Card Statement: If you receive a paper bill, the account number may be listed along with personal information. However, some companies only display the last four digits on statements for security reasons.
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Online Account Access: Many credit card companies offer online banking for secure management. Accessing your account online allows you to retrieve your account number.
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Contacting the Credit Card Company: If neither the physical card nor online methods are viable, contacting the credit card company is an option. The customer service number is typically available on the bill or online. Providing identifying information is usually necessary.
The article also addresses common questions related to credit card issues, such as what to do if the last four digits on a debit card disappear and the security implications of sharing credit card numbers online.
In conclusion, understanding how to locate your credit card account number is essential for managing your finances and ensuring secure transactions. Always prioritize security measures recommended by credit card companies to safeguard your financial information.
