Forgot Sberbank card number — what to do

Why you need to know your card number

First, let's distinguish between two concepts: the plastic card number and the account number. They are not the same set of digits. Multiple payment instruments can be linked to a single account. The plastic card is merely a key used to withdraw or transfer money from it. The card number is printed on the front side and consists of 16 or 18 digits depending on its type. The client's account is required when making a payment to a legal entity or for certain money transfers (for example, receiving a salary or obtaining funds from abroad). It includes 20 digits and is specified in the agreement concluded when opening a banking product. You can find it out by ordering the card details online or from bank employees.

A credit card number is like a wallet address where money needs to be sent or from which it should be debited. It must be provided:

1. When making online purchases. In addition to the card number, you will need to provide the cardholder's first and middle name, expiration date, and CVC/CVV code.
2. To make a transfer. This is mostly required when, for some reason, it is impossible to complete the transaction using a phone number.

Forgot your Sberbank card number — how to find it out

As we already wrote, card details are indicated using embossing (mechanical pressing) on its front side. Sometimes the card is not at hand, but you need to provide its details to make transactions. There are several ways to obtain this information.

At the branch

The longest method is visiting a bank branch. You will need to bring your passport and personal protective equipment during the period of restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic. First, you need to get a ticket from the terminal indicating your place in line. After you are called, you should explain the purpose of your visit to the bank employee. The specialist will print out the necessary information for you, and at the same time, you can also obtain the details of the account to which the card acts as a key.

Using mobile banking

It is impossible to find out your Sberbank card number via SMS. This is done to protect the client's finances in case the phone is lost or stolen. You can view the full list of commands by sending the word СПРАВКА, SPRAVKA, ИНФО, or INFO to 900.

Via SberBank Online

You can view card information on the bank's official website. Despite the fact that the portal allows you to check your balance, make a transfer, or create a savings pot, you will not be able to find out the full card details in your personal account. In the "Cards" section, you can only see the last four digits of the banking product, and under the "About the card" column, you can only obtain details for transferring funds to its account.

More options are available in the SberBank Online app across all platforms. To find out your card number, you need to:

• select the required banking product on the main page in the "Wallet" section;
• go to the "Details and statements" section;
• click "Card information";
• view the hidden information by clicking the crossed-out eye icon.

An alternative method is to tap the card image after step 1 to flip it to the back side. In the very top line next to the number showing the last 4 digits, tap the icon used to display confidential data. They will be automatically copied for entering on the payment website.

By hotline phone

You can block the card, connect certain services, or find out detailed information about the plastic card by calling the hotline at 900 or +7 (495) 500-55-50. For the operator to provide the information you are interested in, you will need to state the code word you created when applying for it. This will help the financial institution's employee ensure they are not speaking to a fraudster. If you are unable to do this, the operator will suggest alternative ways to obtain the information you need.

How to safely save your card number so it is always at hand

The most important thing when using any banking product is security. The card number on its own is not information that fraudsters can use to access your finances. However, the more data criminals obtain, the easier it will be for them to deceive you. Three rules for storing data:

1. Do not write down card details on scraps of paper that are easy to lose or whose confidentiality you cannot ensure.
2. Do not use suspicious websites and do not record card details on easily hacked resources. Regularly update your antivirus software and check your devices for malware. Enter payment details only via secure access points; do not connect to unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks to make purchases.

Modern phone models come with pre-installed applications for saving various payment instruments, the so-called wallets. They are securely protected by a password or require fingerprint scanning to log in. Such programs allow you to add debit, credit, or discount cards for quick payment. In some of them, you can fully view the saved data; in others, you cannot. Choose an option that is convenient and, most importantly, secure for you.

To make online purchases easier, you can use autofill forms on the website of a store or other resource. In this case, the browser or the website where you are paying for goods or services will ask for permission to save your data. If you give such consent, there will be no need to enter all card details every time.

The individual sequence of digits printed on the card serves as an address for sending and receiving funds, and it can be used to pay for purchases online. You do not need to memorize the number; it is enough to have quick access to it. If you have several similar banking products, it is better to remember at least the last 4 digits of each to distinguish them when making transactions on websites with saved payment details or when calling the financial institution's hotline.