A PIN is a personal identification number, a security code for each Visa® Prepaid Card. Once the Card is activated, a PIN can be set. The Card does not come with a default PIN, and the PIN can be set or changed at any time.
A PIN is not required for most purchases, but a cardholder may need one to complete certain purchases. For CalABLE and PA ABLE Cards, a PIN is also needed to access cash. Cards for all other ABLE plans and for 529 Savings Plans can't be used to withdraw cash. Learn more in Can I withdraw cash with my Visa® Card?
In this article, you'll learn what activities require a PIN and how to set or change a PIN.
When is a PIN required?
A PIN is not required to make most purchases with the Card.
Some merchants may ask for a PIN when completing a purchase. Entering a PIN is optional in these cases. Instead of entering a PIN, a purchase can be completed by selecting "Credit" on the payment terminal or asking the merchant to run the Card as "Credit."
CalABLE and PA ABLE Cards only: A PIN must be entered to access cash (for example, to withdraw cash at an ATM, request cash back with a purchase, or withdraw cash at a bank).
If the cardholder would like to make PIN purchases, or has a CalABLE or PA ABLE Card and would like to access cash, we recommend setting a PIN.
How to set or change a PIN
Please use our automated phone system or call our Customer Support team directly to set or change a PIN. For security reasons, we cannot set or change a PIN over email. The only time we will ask for a PIN is when the PIN is being set or changed over the phone.
Please note that whenever a new replacement Card is activated, the PIN will need to be set. For your security, the PIN does not automatically transfer to the new Card upon activation.
A PIN can be set or changed in one of two ways:
Option 1 – Automated phone system
Call the automated phone system for your plan and press 4:
- STABLE Account: 1-888-364-8430
- All other ABLE accounts: 1-888-219-9054
- 529 Savings Plan: 1-888-442-8480
After pressing 4, follow these steps to set the PIN:
- Press 1 to continue in English (para continuar en Español, por favor presione el número dos).
- Press 1 to confirm you want to set a PIN.
- Enter the 16-digit Card number followed by the # key.
- Enter the last 4 digits of the cardholder's Social Security number followed by the # key.
- Enter the new 4-digit PIN followed by the # key.
- For confirmation, re-enter the new 4-digit PIN followed by the # key.
Option 2 – Customer Support
Call the automated phone system for your plan and press 9 to speak with a member of our Customer Support team, who can help set or change the PIN:
- STABLE Account: 1-888-364-8430, then press 9
- All other ABLE accounts: 1-888-219-9054, then press 9
- 529 Savings Plan: 1-888-442-8480, then press 9
Additional information about PIN purchases
Some merchants will request a PIN when completing a purchase. We have included additional information about these types of transactions below.
- Merchants can process purchases made with the Card over debit or credit payment networks.
- When a merchant attempts to process a transaction over the debit network, they will request a PIN to complete the transaction.
- If you do not have a PIN set or do not wish to use one, you can complete a purchase by selecting "Credit" on the payment terminal or asking the merchant to run the purchase as "Credit."
- Requesting to run the purchase as "Credit" enables the merchant to process the transaction over the Visa credit network. Purchases processed over the Visa credit network do not require a PIN.
- This applies to purchases only. For CalABLE and PA ABLE Cards, a PIN is required if cash back is requested from the merchant.
If you have any questions about setting or changing a PIN, please don't hesitate to contact our Customer Support team.