What Does “Card Shipped” Mean and What Happens Next?
Understand what "card shipped" means for your new financial card's journey, from notification to secure use.
When a financial institution notifies you that your “card has shipped,” it signifies a step in receiving a new or replacement financial card. This notification is provided for credit cards, debit cards, and gift cards. Understanding this status and what actions to anticipate next is important for managing your finances and ensuring account security.
Understanding “Card Shipped” Status
The “card shipped” status indicates that your financial card has completed production and personalization, and has been dispatched from the issuer’s facility. This facility may be managed by the financial institution or a third-party vendor. The physical card is now in transit through a postal service or designated courier. This status does not signify that the card has been delivered to your address, but rather that it is on its way. The process involves the financial institution initiating the order, the card being produced and prepared for mail, and then handed over for delivery to the recipient.
Anticipating Your Card’s Arrival
After receiving a “card shipped” notification, you can expect your new card to arrive within an expected timeframe. For standard mail, this spans between seven and ten business days. Some financial institutions may deliver within a shorter window, such as four to six business days. If you opted for expedited delivery, which may come with an additional fee, the card reaches you faster, often within two to three business days.
Financial institutions use the United States Postal Service (USPS) for standard card deliveries, often via First-Class Mail. While some expedited options like USPS Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express offer faster delivery, they are not always standard for initial card shipments. Tracking information may be available through your online account or email notification. The exact delivery time can vary based on your geographic location and the overall efficiency of the postal service.
Upon Receiving Your New Card
Once your new financial card arrives, several actions are necessary to ensure its security and functionality. First, verify that all personal details printed on the card, such as your name, are accurate. Next, sign the back of the card in the designated signature panel. This step helps protect against unauthorized use.
Activate your card. Activation methods include calling a phone number provided with the card, using your financial institution’s online banking portal, or their mobile banking application. Always follow the issuer’s instructions regarding activation.
Finally, securely dispose of any old or expired cards by cutting through the magnetic strip, the embedded chip, the card number, and your signature. Shredding the card with a cross-cut shredder is also an effective method. For enhanced security, distribute the pieces of the old card into different trash receptacles. If you have a metal card, contact your issuer, as these often require a specific return process for disposal.
Actions for Non-Delivery or Compromise
If your card does not arrive within the expected timeframe, it is important to contact your financial institution promptly. Report non-delivery if the card has not arrived after the typical seven to ten business days. Reach out to customer service via phone or online chat to report the issue. The institution will then cancel the missing card and arrange for a new one to be issued and sent to you.
If the card arrives but appears compromised, such as an opened envelope or visible tampering, immediately report it to your financial institution’s fraud department. Prompt reporting prevents unauthorized transactions. Financial institutions have zero liability policies for promptly reported unauthorized transactions, protecting you from financial loss. They will cancel the compromised card and send a replacement.