HDFC Debit Card Activation - How To Activate HDFC Debit Card?

Whenever you open a new savings or current account with HDFC Bank, you can opt to get a debit card. Getting a new debit card is a temptation, and you intend to use it immediately. However, debit card activation is mandatory to conduct transactions, such as withdrawing money from ATMs or carrying out online or contactless transactions. 

You can activate your HDFC debit card via various methods, such as mobile banking, net banking or ATM. In this article, we will guide you through the steps on how to activate an HDFC debit card via various methods.

How to Activate HDFC Debit Card?

Activating an HDFC debit card is simple, and you can do it using online or offline modes. The following are various ways through which you can activate your HDFC debit card to enjoy the benefits.

Through an ATM

Follow these steps to activate your HDFC debit card through an ATM:

• Step 1: Visit the HDFC Bank ATM near you and insert your debit card, which you received in the welcome kit from your bank.
• Step 2: Enter the card PIN given in the welcome kit.
• Step 3: Once you enter the PIN, you will be prompted to change your debit card PIN.
• Step 4: Set a new PIN for your HDFC debit card and use it for future transactions. 

Through Phone Banking

Follow these steps to activate the HDFC debit card via phone banking:

• Step 1: Call the HDFC Bank’s phone banking number.
• Step 2: Provide the phone banking PIN provided in the bank’s welcome kit or answer the security questions to verify yourself. 
• Step 3: Once the verification is complete, follow the instructions to activate your HDFC debit card.

Through NetBanking

You can also activate your HDFC debit card through NetBanking. To do this, you can follow this simple procedure:

• Step 1: Visit the official net banking website of HDFC Bank and log in with your credentials.
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Debit Cards’ section under the ‘Pay’ tab. 
• Step 3: Select your debit card and click ‘Set PIN’.
• Step 4: Enter the HDFC card number you received in the welcome kit and create a new PIN.
• Step 5: Authenticate the PIN by entering the OTP received on your registered phone number.
• Step 6: After successful authentication, you can use your HDFC debit card as it is activated.

How to Enable HDFC Debit Cards for Online Transactions?

There are two methods of enabling your HDFC debit card for online transactions. Here is a step-by-step guide to both methods.

Via Internet Banking

If you want to enable your HDFC debit card for online transactions via Internet banking, you must follow these steps:

• Step 1: Log-in to your HDFC NetBanking Account 
• Step 2: Click the ‘Pay’ tab appearing on the menu bar.
• Step 3: Under the ‘Cards’ tab, click the ‘Debit Card’ option.
• Step 4: Under ‘Requests’, click the ‘Set Card Usage/Limits’ option and select the HDFC debit card you want to enable for online transactions.
• Step 5: Select the ‘Daily Domestic Usage/Limits’ and click ‘ON’ on the ‘Online Usage’.
• Step 6: Set the transaction limit and click ‘Continue’ to save the changes.
• Step 7: Confirm your selection and click the ‘Continue’ button.

Via Mobile Banking

However, if you want to enable an HDFC debit card for online transactions through mobile banking, you can follow these simple steps below:

• Step 1: Open the HDFC mobile application and log in with your credentials.
• Step 2: Click the ‘Menu’ option on the top right corner of the application.
• Step 3: Open the ‘Pay’ option from the menu bar.
• Step 4: Select ‘Cards’ and choose the ‘Debit Cards’ option.
• Step 5: Click on the HDFC debit card you want to enable online transactions.
• Step 6: On the next page, click the ‘Show More’ option and click on the ‘Limits’ section.
• Step 7: Under the ‘Domestic’ section, turn ‘ON’ the toggle button against the ‘Online’ option and set the limit for online transactions.
• Step 8: Click the ‘Confirm’ button at the end of the page. 
• Step 9: Click ‘Continue’ on the next page and enter your ATM PIN and the expiry date of your HDFC debit card. 
• Step 10: Press the ‘Continue’ option to save changes and to use your HDFC debit card for online transactions.

How to Enable Contactless Transactions for HDFC Debit Cards?

All HDFC debit cards allow users to conduct contactless transactions. However, to use your debit card for such transactions, you must enable the same. Here are two methods by which you can enable contactless transactions for your HDFC debit card.

Via Net Banking

To enable contactless transactions for HDFC debit cards, you can follow this step-by-step guide:

• Step 1: Log-in to your HDFC NetBanking Account 
• Step 2: Click the ‘Pay’ tab appearing on the menu bar.
• Step 3: Under the ‘Cards’ tab, click the ‘Debit Card’ option.
• Step 4: Under ‘Requests’, click the ‘Set Card Usage/Limits’ option and select the HDFC debit card for which you want to enable contactless transactions.
• Step 5: Select the ‘Daily Domestic Usage/Limits’ and click ‘ON’ on the ‘Contactless Usage’.
• Step 6: Set the transaction limit and click ‘Continue’ to save the changes.
• Step 7: Confirm your selection and click the ‘Continue’ button.

Via Mobile Banking

However, you can follow these steps if you want to enable contactless transactions for HDFC debit cards through mobile banking:

• Step 1: Open the HDFC mobile application and log in with your credentials.
• Step 2: Click the ‘Menu’ option on the top right corner of the application.
• Step 3: Open the ‘Pay’ option from the menu bar.
• Step 4: Select ‘Cards’ and choose the ‘Debit Cards’ option.
• Step 5: Click on the HDFC debit card you want to enable contactless transactions.
• Step 6: On the next page, click the ‘Show More’ option and click on the ‘Limits’ section.
• Step 7: Under the ‘Domestic’ section, turn ‘ON’ the toggle button against the ‘Contactless’ option and set the limit for contactless transactions.
• Step 8: Click the ‘Confirm’ button at the end of the page. 
• Step 9: Click ‘Continue’ on the next page and enter your ATM PIN and the expiry date of your HDFC debit card. 
• Step 10: Press the ‘Continue’ option to save changes and to use your HDFC debit card for contactless transactions.

How to Enable International Transactions on HDFC Debit Cards?

To use your HDFC debit card for international transactions, you can follow either of the two methods discussed below.

Via Internet Banking

You can follow this simple step-by-step guide to enable your HDFC debit card for international transactions via internet banking:

• Step 1: Log-in to your HDFC NetBanking Account  
• Step 2: Click the ‘Pay’ tab appearing on the menu bar.
• Step 3: Under the ‘Cards’ tab, click the ‘Debit Card’ option.
• Step 4: Under ‘Requests’, select the ‘Set Card Controls/Usage Limits’ option and choose the card you want to enable for international transactions.
• Step 5: Click the ‘Continue’ button and select ‘Daily International Usage/Limits’.
• Step 6: Toggle the ‘ON’ button to turn on international transactions for your HDFC debit card.

Via Mobile Banking

However, if you want to enable international transactions on your HDFC debit card via mobile banking, you can follow these simple steps:

• Step 1: Open the HDFC mobile application and log in with your credentials.
• Step 2: Click the ‘Menu’ option on the top right corner of the application.
• Step 3: Open the ‘Pay’ option from the menu bar.
• Step 4: Select ‘Cards’ and choose the ‘Debit Cards’ option.
• Step 5: Click on the HDFC debit card you want to enable international transactions.
• Step 6: On the next page, click the ‘Show More’ option and click on the ‘Limits’ section.
• Step 7: Under the ‘International’ section, turn the toggle button ‘ON’ to enable international transactions for your HDFC debit card. 

Knowing how to activate an HDFC debit card is crucial for enjoying benefits and easing the transaction process. It enables you to get access to instant cash and pay bills effortlessly. By following the steps mentioned above, you can enjoy the security and convenience of the HDFC debit card and delight yourself with different offers. 

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