M Power: Credit Card Tips & Protection
Stay informed on card security, anti-fraud tips, and expert advice in managing your Metrobank credit card. M Power is a series of tips that empower a Metrobank credit cardholder.
It includes credit card account protection and anti-fraud reminders, called Make your Credit Cards Secure (MCC Secure), informative guides to help you manage your credit card better, and other useful advisories that will help you become a more informed Metrobank credit cardholder.
Activate Your New Metrobank Credit Card
Learn how to and why you need to activate your new credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions on Inactive Cards
On Inactive Cards:
Why are Metrobank credit cards delivered inactive?
All Metrobank credit cards are now delivered inactive, whether these are new cards or re-issued cards. This is an industry practice as it is regulated by the BSP for the security of the accounts of cardholders.
Why did I get a replacement inactive card if my current card is still valid?
Metrobank may issue its existing cardholders replacement cards as part of an upgraded technology on the cards; such as the latest Contactless technology that enables quicker payments with a simple tap for everyday purchases.
Why do I need to activate my card?
Your card needs to be activated so that you can use the card for your purchases. If you use an inactive card, your transaction will not push through.
Activating your card also secures your account.
When can I use my new card?
You may use your new card as soon as you receive an SMS regarding the successful activation.
On Card Activation:
What technology will Metrobank use to help facilitate credit card activation?
Metrobank may issue its existing cardholders replacement cards as part of an upgraded technology on the cards; such as the latest Contactless technology that enables quicker payments with a simple tap for everyday purchases.
Why is an automated communication system needed?
Many cardholders need to be reminded to activate their new card to fully enjoy its latest perks and privileges. Metrobank would like to extend its services to provide direct assistance to the cardholders so that they would not have to initiate the card activation process.
What are the information that will be required from me in order to activate my new card?
Only the principal cardholder will be contacted for the activation process and undergo a verification process. The Principal cardholder must prepare the newly delivered cards.
How soon will Metrobank contact me after my card has been delivered?
Metrobank will initiate communication with the cardholder upon successful confirmation of receipt of the credit card through delivery reports generated within Metrobank.
Why do I keep on getting SMS/calls?
Metrobank designed a system to provide cardholders regular reminders until the credit card has been successfully activated through instructional and automated voice calls, SMS or email.
Metrobank aims to communicate with the cardholders via multiple touchpoints (call, SMS, or email) to ensure a number of options are given to activate their new credit card using their preferred platform.
Who will call or text me? What are the numbers I can expect that will call me?
Calls are fully automated in order to guide the cardholders better by providing a set of precise instructions designed for the fastest and most convenient way to activate the credit card. This also eliminates most errors in activating the card.
Official messages from Metrobank are as follows:
- SMS – sender will appear as MCC
- Voice – Caller will show long code set of numbers
- Email – Sender will appear as activation@metrobankcard.com
What will happen if I do not reply?
You may opt to activate through our traditional channels (see end of FAQs), otherwise Metrobank will keep on trying to contact you until your credit card has been successfully activated.
If I get cut in the middle of the conversation, how do I continue with the process? Will I expect another call?
Unless you have received a confirmation message, the activation process during that particular call did not push through. Metrobank will keep on contacting you or you may opt to activate through our traditional channels (see end of FAQs).
How do I confirm if my activation was successful?
You will receive an SMS stating that your activation was successful.
Can I opt out of these reminders and automated communications? I do not want to be contacted anymore?
Please inform us through our Customer Service Hotline at 88-700-700 or through our domestic toll free hotline 1800-1888-5775.
Alternatively, you may activate your new cards on your own through the traditional channels (see end of FAQs).
Are there other ways that I can activate my card?
You can activate through the following traditional channels:
Alternatively, you may activate your new cards on your own through the traditional channels (see end of FAQs).
Make Your Credit Cards Secure
Make your Credit Cards Secure (MCC Secure) is a series of anti-fraud tips and credit card account protection reminders to help you make your credit cards secure.
Make Your Credit Cards Secure: Protect Yourself Against Phishing
Phishing is an attempt by criminals to acquire information by pretending to be a trustworthy entity. Fake websites and false emails are often used to steal personal sensitive information – most commonly passwords and credit card information.
Learn how to recognize phishing scams and take note of these reminders:
- Be wary of emails asking for confidential information. Metrobank will never request sensitive information via email.
- Check the URL. URLs or links found in phishing emails usually do not contain the name of the company they are pretending to be affiliated with.
Don’t get pressured into providing sensitive information. Phishers like to use scare tactics, and may threaten to disable an account until you give or “update” them with certain information.
Be sure to contact Metrobank’s Customer Service Hotline directly to confirm the authenticity of a request.
Make Your Credit Cards Secure: Beware of Tampered Cards & Envelopes
As soon as you receive your new or replacement credit card, don’t forget to check if you have received all your supplementary cards, if any.
What to do?
- Inspect the contents of the package as soon as you receive it. Ensure that all cards requested are included.
- If you suspect that your package has been tampered, or if there is a missing card from the package, contact Metrobank’s Customer Service Hotline immediately.
Make the Most of Your Credit Card Rewards
- Choose the right credit card. Make sure the rewards program of the card you choose fits your lifestyle.
- Know the rules and read the fine print. Ignoring the rules could mean disappointment and lost opportunities.
- Look for bonus opportunities. Make sure to follow our social media pages and check SMS or email alerts to avail of exclusive offers.
For more information on rewards, click here.
Mastercard Automatic Billing Updater
Metrobank credit Mastercard cardholders, both principal and supplementary, have been enrolled to the Mastercard Automatic Billing Updater (ABU) from December 4, 2020. This service reduces the possibility of declined transactions due to account changes such as upgrades, or issuance of new, renewed, or replaced cards.
The ABU will allow seamless and hassle-free automated updating of your recurring bills, automated payments, or card-on-file transactions such as your accounts for:
- Streaming (e.g. Netflix, Spotify)
- E-commerce or shopping (e.g. Amazon, Apple Store, Google, Agoda)
- Memberships (e.g. Fitness First)
- Transportation and Travel (e.g. Grab)
Here’s a list of what you need to know
What is the Mastercard Automatic Billing Updater (ABU)?
ABU is a new service of Mastercard that helps you avoid transaction declines due to changes in card number or card expiry dates. This will allow secure sharing of information with participating merchants about changes to your credit card number and card expiry for your card-on-file transactions, recurring bills, and automated payments; and is consistent with Metrobank's Credit Card Terms and Conditions.
Why was my credit card automatically enrolled?
Mastercard has mandated that all issuers are to enroll existing cardholders to ABU free of charge for this service.
How does this affect me?
The ABU is meant to ensure seamless processing of transactions from card on file and recurring merchants. This is especially useful should the cardholder fail to update his or her credit card recurring payment details (new card number and/or expiry date) due to card replacements, renewals, and/or card upgrades.
What are some examples of payments covered by the ABU?
Card-on-file transactions. These are payments where you once saved your card number with a merchant so you can reuse it seamlessly for future purchases. Examples include: Amazon, Apple Store, Google, Agoda, Grab, etc.
Recurring and automated payments. These are payment where you may have enrolled your credit card with a merchant so they can charge your card periodically. Examples include: Netflix, Spotify, Fitness First, etc.
How does the Mastercard ABU service work?
Through ABU, Mastercard requires issuers to securely provide them the changes in the card number and expiration date of its cardholders, and such changes are made visible to ABU participating merchants, who in turn may use the updated records in processing the transactions. This process assures cardholders of seamless transactions and prevents unnecessary declines.
Will all my card-on-file, recurring, and automated payments be automatically updated under the ABU?
Whereas the service is made available by Mastercard, it is never mandated for all cards on file and recurring merchants. Plus, if the merchant does not participate in ABU, then the changes will not be considered during transaction processing. Thus, it is still best to update all your cards on file and recurring payment records.
Why and when will my credit card details change?
Your card details may change due to any of the following:
- Card replacements due to lost, defective cards, and changes in card embossing details.
- Card upgrades or conversions
- Card Renewals (any change in card expiry date is considered a renewal)
Are my supplementary credit cards affected?
All Mastercard credit cards of Metrobank have been enrolled to ABU.
Can I opt-out of the Mastercard ABU?
Yes, we can process an opt out. Note that once we opt you out, there is a possibility that you may be declined on your recurring transactions if you fail to update your records with the Merchant of your new card details.
