Have you ever applied for a credit card, but then changed your mind and decided not to activate it? Maybe you thought it was better not to have another line of credit or that you’d rather stick with your current credit card. But what happens if you choose not to activate the card? Is it okay to just leave it as is and walk away? In this blog post, we’ll explore the consequences of not activating your credit card and what you can do about it.
What Happens If I Don’t Activate My Credit Card: Can I Just Walk Away?
Introduction
Credit cards provide us with a convenient way of making purchases and accessing credit for emergency situations. However, have you ever received a credit card in the mail that you regret applying for? Maybe you have decided to avoid using credit cards altogether. What happens if you don’t activate a credit card after receiving it in the mail? Are you obligated to use it, or can you just walk away? In this article, we’ll explore the consequences of not activating your credit card and the potential impact on your credit score.
What Does It Mean to Activate a Credit Card?
When you receive a credit card in the mail, it typically comes with an activation sticker that needs to be peeled off and revealed. Activating your credit card is simply a way of confirming that you have received the card and acknowledge that you are responsible for any charges made with it. You can activate your card by either calling the phone number listed on the sticker or going online to the bank or credit card issuer’s website.
Can I Just Ignore the Credit Card and Walk Away?
When you apply for a credit card, you are entering into a legal agreement between yourself and the credit card issuer. Although neglecting to activate the card may seem like a way to avoid potential debt, ignoring the card is not the best course of action. Most credit card issuers have a $0 balance transfer fee, which means they can easily transfer your balance to another card, or your account could be sent to collections, which could negatively affect your credit score.
Will Failing to Activate My Credit Card Affect My Credit Score?
After you have applied for a credit card, your credit report is notified that a “hard inquiry” has been made. A hard inquiry is performed when a lender accesses your credit report to make a decision about lending you money. Having too many inquiries or failing to activate your credit card could negatively affect your credit score and could appear to lenders as if you were looking to take on too much debt.
Can I Get Rid of an Unwanted Credit Card?
If you have decided that you don’t want to use the credit card, you can always close the account. However, it’s important to note that closing a credit card may impact your credit score. Closing an account reduces your overall available credit, which means that your credit utilization rate increases, potentially negatively impacting your credit score.
Conclusion
In conclusion, credit cards provide us with a convenient way to make purchases and access credit. However, receiving a credit card in the mail that we regret applying for can be a frustrating and stressful experience. Although you may be lured into applying for a credit card, evaluating your financial situation before applying is essential. If you find yourself with an unwanted credit card, activate the card and contact the issuer to close the account. Neglecting to activate the card can lead to potential debt, collections, and negatively impact your credit score. Remember to always use credit responsibly and make payments on time to keep your credit score in good standing.
