Check Card FAQs

Q:  I’ve forgotten my Visa Check Card PIN. Can I get a new PIN?
A:  Yes. For your convenience, you can now change your ATM and/or debit card PIN by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You’ll need your ten-digit phone number, the last four digits of your Social Security Number, and the CVV code--the three-digit number next to the signature panel on the back of your card. Simply call 866.985.2273 and follow the prompts.

Q:  How do I report a lost or stolen Visa Check Card?
A:  Call our 24-hour member service hotline at 866.820.8792. Or, call us at 314.298.0055 or 800.522.6009 during credit union business hours. Click here for more information.

Q:  I’m interested in getting a Visa Check Card, but I’m hesitant because I’ve heard if I lose my Visa Check Card, or if it’s stolen, I will be responsible for all charges and that my checking account balance could be drained entirely. Is this true?
A:  No. As long as you report your lost or stolen Visa Check Card within 48 hours, you are only responsible for the first $50. Since our check card is through Visa, the same loss rules apply as a Visa Credit Card. However, it's important that you immediately report your lost or stolen check card so you aren’t responsible for more than $50. Failure to report a card loss or theft in a timely manner could result in a higher dollar responsibility for you.

Q: How can I get a Vantage Visa Check Card?
A: You can download the application form, then simply print, complete, and mail it to: Vantage Credit Union, P.O. Box 4433, Bridgeton, MO 63044. Or, you can bring the completed form to any of our branch locations.

Q:  Can I get cash with my Visa Check Card?
A:  Yes! You can use your Visa Check Card at ATMs worldwide to get cash. You will receive a PIN in a separate mailing within days of receiving your card. You can also get cash back at many merchants and stores by using the card as a point-of-sale (POS) transaction (by entering your PIN at the POS machine).

Q: How can I pay for purchases with my Visa Check Card?
A: You can pay for goods and services anywhere Visa is accepted. Simply present your card to the cashier and they’ll run the transaction for you. Depending on the store or merchant, they may ask you “debit or credit.” If they ask you this question, say “credit.” Once the transaction is run, you’ll sign a receipt just like you would with a credit card, except the dollar amount is deducted from your Vantage checking account just as a check would.

Q:  I tried to use my card to pay for groceries, but the store said the card wouldn’t work because the network was down. How else could I have paid for my groceries instead of writing a check?
A:  If you usually pay for items using your Visa Check Card as a POS transaction (by entering your PIN), try the quicker and easier way to pay with the Visa Check Card: by signing a receipt. Here’s why: By running your check card as a "credit" rather than "debit" transaction, the transaction is actually run through the Visa credit-based system rather than the POS system, which is a completely separate network. The transaction will still debit your checking account the exact same way as the other method, except you sign a receipt instead of entering a PIN. So if the POS system is down, you may be able to complete your transaction through the Visa system because it's a separate network altogether.

On a related note: merchants such as grocery stores and large discount chains have been known to "encourage" people who use check cards to use the PIN-based POS system rather than the Visa credit-based system. Why? Because PIN-based transactions MAKE the merchant money. However, credit-based transactions COST the merchant money. So, be sure to choose "credit" next time you use your Vantage Visa Check Card. The transaction is the same to you since the purchase is deducted from your Vantage checking account except for signing a receipt rather than entering your PIN. Not only will you help save the credit union money on the transaction, more importantly, you'll avoid the $.25 PIN-based POS Fee.

Q:  What does the Vantage Visa Check Card cost?
A:  Nothing! There is no cost to sign up for our Visa Check Card, and there is no annual fee.

Q:  Can I access my Regular Savings Account with the Visa Check Card?
A:  Yes.

Q:  I’ve thought about getting a Visa Check Card, but I’m concerned about not keeping track of all the receipts. Is there any easy way to keep track of my transactions?
A:  Yes. Every transaction you make with the Visa Check Card is itemized on your monthly statement. Plus, if you want to manage your transactions in a more timely manner, simply use MyVantage Accounts to view up to 12 months’ worth of transaction information. Not enrolled for MyVantage Accounts? Enroll today!

Q:  Why does the credit union charge $0.25 each time I use my Vantage check card for a PIN-based transaction?
A:  Because expenses associated with offering PIN-based POS transactions have increased for the credit union, a fee of $0.25 has been added to each POS transaction to help offset the increased expense. YOU CAN AVOID THIS FEE: When paying for purchases with your Visa Check Card, choose "credit" and sign the receipt rather than choosing "debit" and using your PIN. It's as easy as that!