Online merchants use AVS (Address Verification Service) to compare the ZIP you type with the ZIP stored at the issuer. No match, no sale. Likewise, brick-and-mortar checkouts increasingly prompt for a four-digit PIN on debit rails. Here’s how to assign, change, or wipe both credentials in under two minutes.
Contents
- Why ZIP & PIN Matter
- Method 1 — MyBalanceNow Portal
- Method 2 — Phone IVR (24 × 7)
- Reset After Moving or Losing PIN
- Mini-FAQ
1 – Why You Need a ZIP (& Sometimes a PIN)
• E-commerce: PayPal, Amazon Marketplace, and Xbox require a valid U.S. ZIP or they flag the card as suspicious.
• Pump terminals: Some states ask for a ZIP on fuel purchases above $75.
• Debit cash-back: If you’d like to run the card as “Debit” for cash-back in store, you must set a four-digit PIN via the IVR.
2 – Portal Method (Fastest)
- Visit MyBalanceNow ▸ sign in.
- Select Manage Card → Address / ZIP.
- Type your 5-digit ZIP twice → click Save.
3 – Phone IVR Method (Also Sets PIN)
- Call 800-698-4952.
- Press 2 (Manage) → 3 (ZIP) → 1 (Set).
- Enter card #, CVV, then your ZIP.
- Stay on the line → option 2 lets you create a four-digit PIN.
4 – Resetting After a Move or Forgotten PIN
If you moved states or forgot the PIN entirely:
- Log back in and overwrite the old ZIP with your new one. Changes propagate in 5–10 minutes.
- To wipe the PIN, call the IVR, press 3 → 2 → 0 and follow prompts.
5 – Quick FAQ
Q: Do I need a ZIP to swipe in store?
A: No, swiping as credit ignores AVS.
Q: Can I use an international ZIP?
A: Only 5-digit U.S. ZIPs are accepted at this time.
Last reviewed June 2025 • Independent resource.
