Better than cash. Easier than checks.
Debit Mastercard® Tips, Info & FAQs
Everything you love about your checks without all the paper.
With a United Texas Debit Mastercard, you have instant access to the money in your checking account with one convenient card plus no annual fees, no finance charges, and no monthly payments. It’s easier and more secure than cash and more widely accepted than checks. Plus, you can use your card for signature purchases, chip purchases, PIN purchases and get surcharge-free access to almost 30,000 ATMs nationwide in the CO-OP Network. Never carry cash or a checkbook again. Just swipe your card and go.
"Debit or Credit?"
Great. You’ve just spent all this time deciding what to buy, and now you have to decide how to pay for it. What’s the difference between debit and credit, anyway? It all comes out of the same account, right? Not exactly. There are some important differences between debit and credit. Here are a few of that will help you spend a little smarter.
Why choose debit?
When a merchant runs your debit card, it triggers a chain of events that includes requesting money from your checking account, then having the credit union confirm that the funds are there before transferring them to the merchant. Finally, the merchant pays a processing fee, which ends up being less than 1% of the transaction. Here are the pros:
– Never spend more than you have.
– Spending your own money means you owe zero interest.
– Get cash back with your purchases.
– Make free withdrawals at participating network ATMs.
Why choose credit?
A credit purchase works a bit differently. Instead of requesting the funds from your checking account, the merchant requests money for the transaction from your card issuer. The card issuer checks that you have that amount of credit available before sending the funds over within a few days. Then, whenever you make your payment, you pay back the card issuer for the transaction, and the merchant pays a credit processing fee that ends up being about 2% of the transaction. Here’s how buying with credit pays:
– Earn cash back.
– No holds on purchases like hotel rooms or gas.
– Get insurance for travel purchases and rentals.
– Never have overdraft fees.
FAQs
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How do I activate my United Texas Debit Mastercard?
As soon as you get your new card, call the number that is listed on the sticker affixed to the front of your card. When prompted, enter the social security number of the card holder (not necessarily the primary member on your account). Entering the incorrect SSN multiple times will lock your card. Contact us if you lock your card.
It’s important to secure your debit card and Personal Identification Number (PIN) immediately after you activate the card. If you received an Instant Issue Debit Card at one of our branch locations, your card is active as soon as it is produced.
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How do I change my PIN?
Visit any of our locations during business hours and we can change your PIN or call us at (800) 531-8456 anytime 24/7.
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If I have a joint owner on my account, will the cards on the account have the same card number?
Each signer gets a unique card number.
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What is my debit card daily limit?
Your debit card may be used at Mastercard® merchant locations (including Point of Sale (POS) transactions with a PIN) to purchase goods and services for a daily limit of $1,500. The debit card with PIN may be used for cash withdrawals at ATMs participating in Pulse networks for a daily limit of $500.
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How does the credit union establish the daily limit?
Daily limits are determined at the sole discretion of United Texas management and may change at any time.
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Why does the credit union establish daily limits?
Limits can protect you from unauthorized transactions and limit liability for these transactions. Members are protected against unauthorized transactions as required by credit union regulations. The credit union reserves the right to limit its liability for unauthorized transactions by establishing daily limits and the maximum number of transactions authorized per day.
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Where can I use my debit card?
You may use the card anywhere Mastercard is accepted, which is millions of locations worldwide. To protect you against increasing instances of fraud, the card can only be used in certain foreign countries using your four-digit PIN. In order to safeguard the funds in your checking account, we strongly suggest that you use a credit card, (such as the United Texas Platinum Mastercard®) to make purchases when traveling.
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How quickly will transactions post to my account?
POS purchases will be placed on hold against your checking account balance immediately after the sale takes place. The completion of the final POS purchase will take one to three business days to post your account. PIN-based POS purchases will post to your account immediately.
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What is a pre-authorized transaction and how will it affect my daily limit?
Some merchants (like restaurants, gas stations and/or hotels) process a pre-authorization as an estimate of the final transaction prior to delivery of their services. The merchant determines the amount of the pre-authorization transaction based on the services to be rendered. The pre-authorized transaction places a hold on a certain amount of funds until the final transaction clears (about one to three business days).
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How do I protect my card against unauthorized transactions?
There are a few ways to protect your card against fraud: Secure your card and your PIN, don’t disclose information, use Online Banking, use the Audio Response System (our 24-hour automated phone service) at (210) 561-4505 or (800) 531-8086 and always review your account statements.
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What do I need to do if my card is lost or stolen?
If your card is lost or stolen, notify United Texas at once to protect the available balance in your account. Call us anytime 24/7 at (210) 561-4500 or (800) 531-8456, or visit the branch office closest to you during business hours. You may also use our Real Time Fraud Protection feature available on Online Banking, United Texas Mobile, or you may use our CardNav app.
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Do you offer ID Theft protection on your cards?
Yes, we do.
Yes, we do. We offer enhanced Mastercard ID Theft Protection. This is an automatic built-in benefit to your card to better safeguard you against possible identity theft. Visit https://www.mastercardus.idprotectiononline.com/enrollment/embedded.html to sign up.
Generali Global Assistance Inc. provides this benefit. Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please see your Guide to Benefits for details or call 1-800-MASTERCARD.
Next Step
Go To Next StepDebit Mastercard® Why United Texas
Debit Mastercard®
- Convenient
- No annual fees
- No monthly payments
- Safe and secure
- Accepted at millions of locations nationwide
Testimonial
The BEST ever.
John W., member since 2016
Reviews
Love the service provided at the location, and the bank system is top notch, especially on the security side. I recently almost lost close to ninety bucks on a fake website for shoes, but their fraud department cancelled the transaction most likely the moment I pushed the buy button and before it was approved, they then proceeded to notify me not even a minute afterwards. Needless to say, this is a trustworthy bank to use and I recommend it!
Hi Rogelio - thank you for your kind words about the service you receive at our Braun Branch and for letting us know that we kept you and your money safe - it's our highest priority! We're here for you when you need us and we sincerely appreciate your membership. Have a great day! -Karla
Review Debit Mastercard® from United Texas
Next Step
Go To Next StepDebit Mastercard® How it Works
How it Works
To get your United Texas Debit Mastercard, open a savings account with a minimum $5 opening deposit and apply. We have two options: a Debit Mastercard with an enhanced security EMV chip that can be mailed to you in 7-10 business days, or an Instant Issue Debit Card you can get in any of our branches. (This option allows you to walk out the door with a working debit card.)
Happy shopping!
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More Info
The United Texas Debit Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations worldwide, including places that don’t accept checks. Your transaction amount is conveniently deducted from your available United Texas Checking Account balance. There are no finance charges or monthly payments.
Next Step
Apply NowTo protect you against debit card fraud, the purchase limit for the personal United Texas Debit Mastercard is $1,500 per day. To further protect you, we have implemented Debit Card Fraud Alerts.
If you are traveling to a foreign country and want to use your Debit Mastercard, please contact us and we can ensure that your card will be accessible while traveling. In order to safeguard the funds in your credit union account, we strongly suggest that you use traveler's checks, a Mastercard® Travel Card or a credit card, such as the United Texas Platinum Mastercard® to make purchases when traveling abroad.