---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 1693i"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "1693i"
heading: "Issuance of cards or other means of access"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/1693i"
units:
  - "Chapter 41 — Consumer Credit Protection"
  - "Subchapter VI — Electronic Fund Transfers"
---

# §1693i. Issuance of cards or other means of access

- (a) **Prohibition; proper issuance—** No [person](/usc/15/1602.md?p=e) may issue to a [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) any card, code, or other means of access to such [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3)’s [account](/usc/15/1693a.md?p=2) for the purpose of initiating an [electronic fund transfer](/usc/15/1693a.md?p=7) other than—
  - (1) in response to a request or application therefor; or
  - (2) as a renewal of, or in substitution for, an accepted card, code, or other means of access, whether issued by the initial issuer or a successor.
- (b) **Exceptions—** Notwithstanding the provisions of [subsection (a)](#a), a [person](/usc/15/1602.md?p=e) may distribute to a [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) on an unsolicited basis a card, code, or other means of access for use in initiating an [electronic fund transfer](/usc/15/1693a.md?p=7) from such [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3)’s [account](/usc/15/1693a.md?p=2), if—
  - (1) such card, code, or other means of access is not validated;
  - (2) such distribution is accompanied by a complete disclosure, in accordance with [section 1693c of this title](/usc/15/1693c.md), of the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3)’s rights and liabilities which will apply if such card, code, or other means of access is validated;
  - (3) such distribution is accompanied by a clear explanation, in accordance with regulations of the [Bureau](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=1), that such card, code, or other means of access is not validated and how the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3) may dispose of such code, card, or other means of access if validation is not desired; and
  - (4) such card, code, or other means of access is validated only in response to a request or application from the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3), upon verification of the [consumer](/usc/15/1692a.md?p=3)’s identity.
- (c) **Validation—** For the purpose of [subsection (b)](#b), a card, code, or other means of access is validated when it may be used to initiate an [electronic fund transfer](/usc/15/1693a.md?p=7).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 90–321, title IX, § 911, as added Pub. L. 95–630, title XX, § 2001, Nov. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 3736; amended Pub. L. 111–203, title X, § 1084(1), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 2081.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2010—Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 111–203 substituted “Bureau” for “Board”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–203 effective on the designated transfer date, see section 1100H of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as a note under section 552a of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.