Debit Card Number Change

EJLevin

My debit card expires next April 2021, but I have received a replacement card now, 10 months early,  and I am astonished to see that the last 4 digits of the card number have changed. 

This is VERY inconvenient and disruptive as I now have to go into my many online accounts to amend the card number. 

I inquired at my branch why I was given this new card and was informed that the bank have decided to use a more durable plastic, that my number had changed for “security reasons” and that all banks do this.

In my 30 years of banking, all my bank accounts have retained the same card number throughout the life of the account. Same for friends, who have confirmed this today.

Customer service’s telephone and FB page responses were “this is just what we do” – not helpful.

Something doesn’t fit.  Why is the card replaced so far in advance and why has my number changed?

Has this happened to anyone else?  Can anyone offer any useful and plausible explanation?

Thank you!

[Deleted User]

Yes, it happens very often.

If the online accounts don't carry through, just update them as needed.

Stompa

I don't know about debit cards, but with credit cards I've found that the number usually changes.

jonesMUFCforever

Debit cards number have always changed the last 4 digits - how else would you distinguish a lost card from a live valid one?

COIAHLGW

My Nationwide debit card changed the last 4 digits of the card upon its expiration.
However, please let us know which banks you are with that has never changed their number in 30 years?

eddddy

Banks sometimes get notified that card details have been compromised - for example, an online retailer has been hacked and some of their customers' card details stolen.

In that situation, the bank would cancel the old card number immediately (without waiting for the card to expire) and issue a new number and new card.

dr_adidas01

Not sure who you bank with for the the card number not to have ever  changed, as like others that have posted here the last 4 digits have always changed when ever my card has expired or been replaced by the bank or credit card company for what ever reason. 

Migster

There can be a difference between lost/stolen cards and cards that are renewed on expiry. With a lost/stolen card you are always going to get a new 16 digit PAN, but with renewals, the PAN can stay the same. I worked for a bank years ago and we didn't change card numbers for renewals (well we did eventually as the system could only cope with nine iterations of the same card number), though I guess this may no longer be the case if banks see it as more secure to change the PAN (there's more card fraud about these days than at my time).  

eskbanker

EJLevin said:

My debit card expires next April 2021, but I have received a replacement card now, 10 months early,  and I am astonished to see that the last 4 digits of the card number have changed. 

This is VERY inconvenient and disruptive as I now have to go into my many online accounts to amend the card number. 

I inquired at my branch why I was given this new card and was informed that the bank have decided to use a more durable plastic, that my number had changed for “security reasons” and that all banks do this.

Perhaps the security reason is actually related to the fact that you've stored your card number in so many online accounts that it's VERY inconvenient to have to change them all?

adamp87

What’s more inconvenient? 

Changing your card numbers

or
Being a victim of fraud.

EJLevin

eddddy said:

Banks sometimes get notified that card details have been compromised - for example, an online retailer has been hacked and some of their customers' card details stolen.

In that situation, the bank would cancel the old card number immediately (without waiting for the card to expire) and issue a new number and new card.

Hello and thanks for your response.  If my details have been compromised, then I would expect the customer services and the branch account manager to tell me so, because then the situation would have made sense.  Instead all 4 just gave me waffle.