Do I have to get Wells Fargo to activate my credit card?

You can set up a Wells Fargo automatic credit card payment online, or by phone. If you call customer service, you will need to request an enrollment form. It may take from 30 to 60 days to process your enrollment form, so you should continue to make at least the minimum payment until you receive notification on your statement that your automatic payment has been set up. … read full answer

An automatic credit card payment, or AutoPay, electronically debits your payment from a linked bank account. You can choose to pay the entire balance, the minimum amount due, or a customized amount. Your bank account will be debited on the payment due date. An automatic payment ensures you are never late on paying or paying less than the minimum amount due.

Here’s how to set up a Wells Fargo automatic credit card payment:

1. Log on to Wells Fargo Online. Under Account Services, select “Set Up Recurring Payment” under the Transfers section. You can also call customer service at 1 (877) 805-7744 and request an enrollment form.
2. Enter or include bank account information, including the routing and account numbers. This is the account from which your payment will be deducted.
3. Specify whether you want to automatically deduct the minimum payment, the full balance or a specified payment. Your chosen amount will always be deducted on the statement due date and cannot be changed.
4. You can contact customer service to modify or cancel automatic payments, but any changes may take 30 to 60 days to process. The current automatic payment amount will stay in effect until your receive notification on your statement the new payment amount has been updated or cancelled.

A Wells Fargo automatic credit card payment can help maintain your payment history, which is a major component in calculating your credit score. On that note, you should always make sure you have enough money in your bank account to cover your monthly payment. An automatic payment returned for insufficient funds will not only incur a returned “check” fee of up to $37, your payment will be considered late, and will cost you an additional $37 maximum fee.

Wells Fargo does not currently offer a temporary credit card. Better known as virtual or disposable credit cards, they’re not actual credit cards, at least not literally. A temporary credit card is a randomly generated number you can use to protect your actual credit card information when you shop online. Capital One, Bank of America, and Citi are the only major issuers that offer temporary credit card services at this time.… read full answer

With a temporary credit card number, if there’s a breach at store where you shop, your permanent credit card account information won’t fall into the wrong hands. If a merchant has only your temporary credit card number, your risk of credit card fraud is drastically reduced, as the number can only be used one time.

Still, temporary credit cards are not perfect. If you book flights or rental cars with a temporary credit card number, you may run into difficulties if you’re required to confirm the card number later or show the card in person.

Wells Fargo does offer its own digital wallet service to protect your account and reduce credit card fraud. Digital wallets, however, are not the same as temporary credit cards. Instead of generating a temporary number, the digital wallet allows you to link your credit and debit card to the Wells Fargo app on your mobile phone. You can then use your phone a payment device. You’ll just tap your phone to make purchases without ever having to produce a physical debit or credit card.