Are you ready to take control of your Wells Fargo credit card finances? Understanding your running balance is key to staying on top of your spending and avoiding unwelcome surprises. This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly how to check your running balance on your Wells Fargo credit card, whether you prefer to bank online or through the mobile app. Let's dive in!
Understanding Your Running Balance vs. Statement Balance
Before we get into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand the difference between your running balance and your statement balance.
- Statement Balance: This is the total amount you owed on your credit card at the end of your last billing cycle. It's the amount you're typically required to pay by your due date to avoid interest charges on new purchases.
- Running Balance (or Available Balance): This is the most current record of your funds available for use. It reflects all posted transactions (purchases, payments, returns) and also accounts for pending transactions (those authorized but not yet fully processed by the merchant). This is what you want to check frequently to know your real-time spending power and avoid overspending.
Now, let's get to the steps!
Step 1: Choose Your Preferred Method – Online Banking or Mobile App?
The first decision you need to make is how you want to check your balance. Wells Fargo offers two convenient ways to access your credit card information:
- Wells Fargo Online Banking (via a web browser on your computer or tablet)
- Wells Fargo Mobile App (on your smartphone or tablet)
Both methods provide similar information, but the interface and steps differ slightly. Pick the one that suits you best!
Step 2: Accessing Your Account
This step is all about securely logging in to your Wells Fargo account.
Sub-heading: Via Wells Fargo Online Banking
- Open your web browser: Launch your preferred web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, etc.) on your computer or tablet.
- Navigate to the Wells Fargo website: In the address bar, type
www.wellsfargo.comand press Enter. - Locate the "Sign On" button: Look for a "Sign On" button, usually located in the top right corner of the Wells Fargo homepage.
- Enter your credentials: Click "Sign On" and you'll be prompted to enter your Username and Password. Make sure you enter these carefully.
- Complete any security verification: Wells Fargo may employ additional security measures, such as a one-time passcode sent to your registered phone or email, or a security question. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete this verification.
Sub-heading: Via the Wells Fargo Mobile App
- Open the Wells Fargo Mobile App: Locate the Wells Fargo app icon on your smartphone or tablet and tap to open it. If you don't have it, download it from your device's app store (App Store for iOS, Google Play Store for Android).
- Enter your credentials: On the app's sign-in screen, enter your Username and Password.
- Utilize quick login options (if enabled): If you've previously set up features like fingerprint authentication (Touch ID/Face ID) or a 4-digit passcode, you can use these for a faster login.
- Complete any security verification: Similar to online banking, you might be asked for a one-time passcode or to answer a security question.
Step 3: Navigating to Your Credit Card Account
Once you're securely logged in, you need to find your credit card account.
Sub-heading: On Wells Fargo Online Banking
- Go to the "Accounts Summary" page: After signing on, you'll typically land on your "Accounts Summary" page, which lists all your Wells Fargo accounts (checking, savings, credit cards, etc.).
- Locate your credit card: Scroll through the list of your accounts until you find your Wells Fargo credit card. It will usually be listed by its product name (e.g., Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, Wells Fargo Reflect® Card) and the last four digits of your card number.
- Click on your credit card account: Click on the name or summary of your credit card account to view its detailed activity.
Sub-heading: On the Wells Fargo Mobile App
- Tap on "Accounts": Once logged in, you'll likely see a navigation bar at the bottom or top of the app. Tap on the "Accounts" section.
- Select your credit card: From the list of your accounts, tap on your Wells Fargo credit card.
Step 4: Viewing Your Running Balance and Activity
This is where you'll find the information you're looking for!
Sub-heading: On Wells Fargo Online Banking
- Identify "Available Balance": On your credit card's detailed account page, look for a prominent display of your "Available Balance." This is your running balance, showing you how much credit you have left to use.
- Review "Pending Transactions": Just below or near your available balance, you'll often see a section for "Pending Transactions." These are purchases or other transactions that have been authorized but haven't fully posted to your account yet. It's crucial to factor these into your mental running balance, as they reduce your actual available credit.
- Explore "Account Activity": Scroll down to view your "Account Activity." This section lists all your posted transactions, including purchases, payments, returns, and any fees. You can usually sort this by date, type, or search for specific transactions. Wells Fargo typically allows you to view up to 90 days or 300 transactions of credit card history online. For older transactions, you'll need to refer to your online statements.
Sub-heading: On the Wells Fargo Mobile App
- Locate "Available Balance": When you select your credit card, your current "Available Balance" will usually be prominently displayed at the top of the screen.
- Check for "Pending Transactions": The app will often show a separate section for "Pending Transactions" below your available balance or within your recent activity. Make sure to review these!
- Scroll to "See all transactions" or "Account Activity": To view your full transaction history, scroll down or tap on an option like "See all transactions" or "Account Activity." This will display a list of all your recent posted and pending transactions.
Step 5: Understanding Transaction Details
When reviewing your activity, pay attention to the details of each transaction.
- Transaction Date: The date you made the purchase or the transaction occurred.
- Posting Date: The date the transaction was officially processed and added to your account. This might be a day or two after the transaction date.
- Description: The merchant name and often the location of the transaction.
- Amount: The dollar amount of the transaction. Look for positive amounts (credits/payments) and negative amounts (purchases/debits).
Step 6: Setting Up Alerts (Optional but Recommended!)
To stay even more on top of your running balance, consider setting up alerts.
Sub-heading: Why Alerts Are Helpful
- Stay informed: Get notified of large purchases or when your balance drops below a certain threshold.
- Fraud detection: Quickly spot unauthorized transactions.
- Payment reminders: Receive alerts when your payment is due or when a payment has posted.
Sub-heading: How to Set Up Alerts
- Access "Alerts" or "Notifications": In either online banking or the mobile app, look for a section related to "Alerts," "Notifications," or "Profile & Settings" where you can manage communication preferences.
- Choose your alert types: You can typically set up alerts for:
- Purchase notifications (e.g., when a purchase exceeds a specific amount)
- Available credit dropping below a certain level
- Payment due reminders
- Payment posted confirmations
- Account security updates (e.g., password changes)
- Select delivery methods: Choose how you want to receive alerts – via email, text message, or push notifications through the mobile app.
By following these steps, you'll have a clear and consistent way to monitor your Wells Fargo credit card's running balance, ensuring you always know where you stand financially.
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to check my Wells Fargo credit card balance without logging in?
You can't directly view your full running balance without logging in for security reasons. However, if you've set up push notifications on your Wells Fargo Mobile App, you might get updates on activity or available credit, but a detailed view requires login.
How to see pending transactions on my Wells Fargo credit card?
Log in to Wells Fargo Online or the Wells Fargo Mobile App, navigate to your credit card account, and look for a section labeled "Pending Transactions" or within your "Account Activity."
How to find my Wells Fargo credit card statement online?
Sign on to Wells Fargo Online or the Wells Fargo Mobile App, select your credit card account, and then look for a "Statements & Documents" or similar tab to view your electronic statements.
How to understand the difference between available balance and current balance on Wells Fargo?
The available balance includes posted transactions and pending transactions, showing what you can currently spend. The current balance typically refers to your posted balance, not necessarily reflecting all pending activity. The available balance is the most up-to-date representation of your spending power.
How to get text alerts for my Wells Fargo credit card activity?
Log in to Wells Fargo Online or the Mobile App, go to "Alerts" or "Profile & Settings," and configure text message alerts for the types of transactions you want to monitor (e.g., purchases over a certain amount, low available credit).
How to download my Wells Fargo credit card transaction history?
On Wells Fargo Online, navigate to your credit card account activity, and you should find an option to "Download Account Activity" into a spreadsheet (CSV) or financial management software (like Quicken).
How to report an unauthorized transaction on my Wells Fargo credit card?
Immediately contact Wells Fargo customer service by calling the number on the back of your card or finding the appropriate contact number on their official website. You can also typically dispute transactions within your online banking or mobile app account activity.
How to pay my Wells Fargo credit card bill online?
Log in to Wells Fargo Online or the Mobile App, go to your credit card account, and look for a "Make a Payment" or "Pay Bill" option. You can set up one-time payments or recurring payments.
How to increase my credit limit on my Wells Fargo credit card?
You can typically request a credit limit increase through Wells Fargo Online by navigating to your credit card account and looking for an option like "Request a Credit Line Increase," or by calling customer service.
How to close a Wells Fargo credit card account?
It's best to call Wells Fargo customer service directly to close your credit card account. They will guide you through the process and explain any implications, such as outstanding balances or rewards.