Not even close. I work at a large bank and often 12 or more numbers change. Beyond that it is irrelevant how many numbers change. Beyond that only approved but unsettled transactions will go through under the old number. You can't continue to use the old number for new transactions.
> Is the bank going to call around to services that I have paid for previously and tell them my new credit card details? I hope not
Yes. Anyplace that bills you regularly on the old number will automatically get the new number.
> You can't continue to use the old number for new transactions.
It depends on how you define new. A new biller, then correct. But if it's a biller that you have an existing relationship with, i.e. they bill you every month, then they do send them the new numbers (and/or allow them to use the old number).
I can't say if this is a global policy of all issuers, but I can say that I've experienced it. I've also seen it in the fine print when I signed up for repeated billing.
It's usually called something like "automatic account updater" by the credit card issuer. I think it's pretty common for merchant banks and merchant service providers to offer it these days. (We use it where I work.)
