The merchant sends a request to the bank to "hold" a tiny amount. If the bank approves, the card is live.
The days of simple BIN checking are numbered. Here is why: Bin Checker Cc Live Or Dead
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and fraud prevention awareness purposes only. Using BIN checkers or any technique described to validate unauthorized payment cards is a serious crime. Always comply with PCI DSS and local laws. The merchant sends a request to the bank