Card Use & PIN Safety Tips

  • Activate your credit or debit card and sign the signature panel as soon as you receive it. Need to change your debit card PIN? Call (800) 992-3808.
  • Protect your cards. Avoid storing your card in the glove compartment of your car.
  • Report lost or stolen cards immediately. Visit the Contact Us page for instructions.
  • Never write down your PIN or use it as a password.
  • Ensure that you get your card back after every purchase.
  • Check sales vouchers for the correct purchase amount before you sign them. Keep copies of your vouchers and ATM receipts. Reconcile each of your statements and verify the amounts of your purchases and transactions.
  • Make a comprehensive list of all your cards and their numbers, and store it in a safe place.
  • Don’t volunteer any personal information when you use your credit card, other than by displaying personal ID as requested by a merchant.
  • Don’t lend your card to anyone. Some card misuse can be traced directly to family and friends.
  • Never disclose your PIN to anyone. No one from a financial institution, the police, or a merchant should ask for a PIN.
  • Traveling Outside the USA? Call us before you leave to ensure your Visa credit and/or debit cards work properly. During business hours call (800) 786-0945.

Monitoring Your Visa Account

Continuous monitoring is an integral part of Visa’s multiple layers of security. In addition to other fraud monitoring tools, Visa can often spot fraud based upon transactions that are outside of the cardholders’ typical purchasing pattern. This allows Visa to spot fraudulent activity as quickly as possible.

Here are some of the red flags that indicate potentially fraudulent activity:

  • Your shipping address is different from billing, or the shipping address suddenly changes.
  • Unusually large purchases, compared to normal purchase patterns, for your account.
  • A change in name on the account.
  • A change in date of birth or Social Security number.

If there are suspicious transactions, Sun Federal will contact you by phone to verify the validity of the questionable transactions.

ATM Safety

Using an ATM card is a convenient and safe way to get cash. Just be sure to use the following safety tips:

  • Watch your surroundings – If the machine is poorly lit or in a hidden area, use another ATM.
  • Guard your PIN – Lookout for suspicious activity and immediately cancel your transactions and leave if you see something suspicious.
  • Keep your card ready – Avoid counting cash or going through personal items at the ATM.
  • Be safe at the drive-thru – Lock car doors and windows. If you’re walking up to the ATM, never leave your car running or unlocked.
  • Take your receipt – It contains personal information that thieves could use.
  • Avoid strangers – When using an indoor ATM that requires your card to open the door, don’t let unknown people in.
  • Be aware of suspicious items on the ATM – Look for additional devices, cameras, etc.