Canada · Prepaid card

How to activate your Wealthsimple Card (Prepaid Mastercard / Visa Credit Card)

Activate your Wealthsimple card (prepaid Mastercard / Visa credit card) online, in the app or by phone — what you need, step-by-step instructions and fixes if activation fails.

Quick answer: Activate your Wealthsimple Card (Prepaid Mastercard / Visa Credit Card) in the Wealthsimple app or by phone at +1 877-868-0854. Have ready: The Wealthsimple mobile app (the Visa credit card can't be activated from a computer); Your physical card. Use only wealthsimple.com or the official app, never a link sent by text or email.

Official activation wealthsimple.com Methods: Mobile app · ATM Phone: +1 877-868-0854 — Number given in Wealthsimple's help centre for trouble activating the prepaid card
Good to know: help.wealthsimple.com returned 403 to fetches; details come from search excerpts of the official articles.
Only activate on wealthsimple.com or the official app. Type the address yourself. Wealthsimple (prepaid issued by Peoples Trust Company; credit card issuer per card agreement) will never text or call asking for your full PIN or a one-time code.
A person holding a smartphone over a card reader for contactless payment — activating a new Wealthsimple Card (Prepaid Mastercard / Visa Credit Card)
Photo: CardMapr.nl / Unsplash

What you need

  • The Wealthsimple mobile app (the Visa credit card can't be activated from a computer)
  • Your physical card

Activate your Wealthsimple Card (Prepaid Mastercard / Visa Credit Card) online

  1. Wealthsimple cards are activated in the mobile app, not on a computer
  2. Credit card: scan the QR code in the card envelope or use the app
  3. Prepaid card: activate in the app, set a PIN, then do a balance check or withdrawal at an ATM to sync the PIN

Activate in the Wealthsimple app

  1. Open the Wealthsimple app
  2. Choose to activate your new card (or scan the QR code in the envelope for the credit card)
  3. Follow the prompts and set your PIN
  4. Prepaid card: do one ATM transaction to sync the PIN

Activate by phone

Call +1 877-868-0854 (Number given in Wealthsimple's help centre for trouble activating the prepaid card) and follow the automated prompts. You will usually be asked for the card number and a piece of identity information such as the last four digits of your SIN or date of birth.

After you activate

  • Add funds before spending (prepaid)
  • Add the card to Apple Pay or Google Pay; the virtual card works as soon as your chequing account is open
  • Set up alerts

If your Wealthsimple (prepaid issued by Peoples Trust Company; credit card issuer per card agreement) card won't activate

  • Trying to activate the credit card on a laptop: Wealthsimple says it's app-only
  • PIN not working in store: sync it with an ATM balance check first
  • Prepaid card won't activate: call +1 877-868-0854

Wealthsimple Card (Prepaid Mastercard / Visa Credit Card) activation FAQs

How do I activate my Wealthsimple Card (Prepaid Mastercard / Visa Credit Card)?

You can activate it in the Wealthsimple app, at an ATM with your PIN. Online or in-app activation is usually fastest: sign in, choose the new card, and confirm the details requested.

Is there a phone number to activate a Wealthsimple (prepaid issued by Peoples Trust Company; credit card issuer per card agreement) card?

Yes — Wealthsimple (prepaid issued by Peoples Trust Company; credit card issuer per card agreement) lists +1 877-868-0854 for card activation (Number given in Wealthsimple's help centre for trouble activating the prepaid card). Only call numbers printed on your card, its sticker or wealthsimple.com.

Can I use my Wealthsimple (prepaid issued by Peoples Trust Company; credit card issuer per card agreement) card before activating it?

Generally no. A new card is blocked until it is activated, although some issuers activate a replacement automatically the first time you use it with your PIN, and some let you use a virtual card number in the app straight away.

Does activating a Wealthsimple Card (Prepaid Mastercard / Visa Credit Card) affect my credit score?

No. Activation is not a credit check. Any hard inquiry happened when you applied; activating simply switches the card on. Not activating a new account does not close it, so it can still appear on your credit report.

Why won't my Wealthsimple (prepaid issued by Peoples Trust Company; credit card issuer per card agreement) card activate?

Trying to activate the credit card on a laptop: Wealthsimple says it's app-only PIN not working in store: sync it with an ATM balance check first

Is it safe to activate my card online?

Yes, provided you are on the issuer's real website (wealthsimple.com) or official app. Type the address yourself rather than following links in texts or emails. Your bank will never ask for your full PIN or a one-time passcode by phone or text.

Wealthsimple (prepaid issued by Peoples Trust Company; credit card issuer per card agreement) cards we review

CardAnnual feeRewardsIntro APRForeign feeCredit neededRating
Wealthsimple Visa Infinite + CardWealthsimple clients wanting simple 2% cash back
C$240/yr Unlimited 2% cash back on all purchases None None $80,000 personal or $150,000 h…
Wealthsimple Visa Infinite 1% Card (beta)Wealthsimple clients wanting a no-fee card
None 1% cash back on all purchases None Optional: no-FX-fee can be… $60,000 personal or $100,000 h…

Sources: help.wealthsimple.com · help.wealthsimple.com. Steps change; if your screen looks different, follow the official instructions.