Check Card FAQs

How the Check Card Works

1. What will I need to do before I can begin using my U.S. Bank^® Visa Check Card?
2. My U.S. Bank Check Card has a Visa^® logo on the front. What does that mean?
3. If I swipe the check card myself at a keypad in a store, which button should I press - "credit" or "debit?"
4. How is a check card different from an ATM card?
5. Where can I use my check card?
6. How do I keep track of the purchases I make with my check card?
7. Can U.S. Bank notify me when activities I designate occur to my account?
8. Does my card have daily purchase limits or cash/ATM withdrawal limits?
9. Can I pay my bills with my U.S. Bank^® Check Card?
10. What is a non-PIN purchase?
11. Are there multiple check card designs available?
12. What phone number can I call with questions?

Why the Check Card is Safe to Use

13. What happens if I lose my check card or someone steals it?
14. Is it safe to carry and use my Visa check card?
15. What if someone else tries to use my check card?
16. Can someone use one of my receipts to access my account?
17. Is it safe to use my check card to make purchases on the Internet or over the phone?

Earning Check Card Rewards

18. Can I earn rewards for using my check card?
19. Do I need to get a new card when I enroll in a check card reward program?

How the Check Card Works:

1. What will I need to do before I can begin using my U.S. Bank^® Visa Check Card?

Once you receive your check card and PIN (Personal Identification Number) in the mail, you can activate your check card using any one of the methods listed below (note: your PIN may arrive in the mail a day or two after your new check card arrives):

• Make a deposit or withdrawal at any ATM
• Call us toll free at 800-236-3838
• Go to usbank.com/activate
• Bring your check card to your local branch, and ask your banker to activate it for you

You will need your 16-digit check card number and your 4-digit PIN handy when you are activating your check card. After you've activated it, simply sign your name on the back of your check card to begin using it immediately.

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2. My U.S. Bank Check Card has a Visa^® logo on the front. What does that mean?

The logo on your check card means that it is accepted at millions of locations around the world that accept Visa debit cards, in place of cash and checks. No matter how you use your check card, the money is always deducted directly from your checking account.

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3. If I swipe the check card myself at a keypad in a store, which button should I press - "credit" or "debit?"

If you push the "credit" button, you will need to sign the receipt, but will not be asked to enter a PIN. Only non-PIN transactions earn rewards¹  and are protected by the U.S. Bank Zero Liability Policy.² 

When you push the "debit" button, you must then enter your PIN and you will not earn rewards.

For both "credit" and "debit" transactions, funds are deducted from your checking account.

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4. How is a check card different from an ATM card?

You can use your check card to make purchases while earning rewards, as well as to make transactions at an ATM. ATM card transactions are not eligible to earn rewards.

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5. Where can I use my check card?

Your check card can be used for purchases at millions of locations around the world that accept Visa debit cards. This includes movie theaters, restaurants, gas stations, purchases on the Internet, and at the ATM.

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6. How do I keep track of the purchases I make with my check card?

You can track all check card purchases online in U.S. Bank Internet Banking. Not enrolled in Internet Banking yet? Enroll Now. You can also enter your transactions in your checkbook register, and every purchase will also appear on your monthly checking account statement.

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7. Can U.S. Bank notify me when activities I designate occur to my account?

Yes. U.S. Bank offers Account Alerts which notify you, via email or text message, when designated events occur to your accounts. For example the "Balance Exceeds Defined Amount" Account Alert will help you manage your account and avoid over limit fees.

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8. Does my card have daily purchase limits or cash/ATM withdrawal limits?

Yes. To find out what your daily purchase limit is, login to U.S. Bank Internet Banking, or call your local U.S. Bank^® 24-Hour Banking phone number.

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9. Can I pay my bills with my U.S. Bank^® Check Card?

Yes. You can use your check card to pay just about any bill online or over the phone, and you can earn rewards for bill payments if you are enrolled in one of our check card reward programs. In most instances, the payment is credited to the account immediately, so you can pay at the last minute and not miss a due date. Or if you want to make sure your bills are always paid on time, you can contact your service providers to set up ongoing scheduled payments.

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10. What is a non-PIN purchase?

Any transaction that does not require you to enter your PIN is a considered a non-PIN purchase. These transactions are processed by Visa, but are still deducted directly from your checking account. The following are considered non-PIN purchases:

1. Present your card to the merchant and sign the receipt.
2. Swipe your card at a keypad, press "credit" and sign the receipt.
3. Use your card to make a purchase on the Internet, by phone or at the gas pump.
4. Make automatic bill payments with your check card, such as your phone bill or Internet service provider.

All non-PIN transactions qualify for rewards¹ .

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11. Are there multiple check card designs available?

Yes. We offer six Designer Check Card options and two team Affiliated Check Card options for customers without a reward or with a FlexPerks Cash Rewards option - as well as many other partner and affiliation card designs.

View all Check Card Designer Options

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12. What phone number can I call with questions?

If you have any questions about your U.S. Bank Check Card, or would like to enroll in one of the check card reward programs¹ , call the appropriate U.S. Bank 24-Hour Banking number below:

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Why the Check Card is Safe to Use:

13. What happens if I lose my check card or someone steals it?

If your check card is ever lost or stolen, no one will be able to use your check card at an ATM unless they know your PIN (that's why it's very important to keep your PIN to yourself and not write it down).

Your card is also backed by the U.S. Bank Zero Liability Policy² , which means that you will not be held responsible for any unauthorized non-PIN purchases made with your check card. If there is a fraudulent purchase, immediately contact U.S. Bank 24-Hour Banking. After the verification of your claim, your account will be reimbursed for lost funds by the end of the next business day.

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14. Is it safe to carry and use my Visa check card?

In addition to the U.S. Bank Zero Liability Policy²  protection described above, you can call U.S. Bank 24-Hour Banking and have your check card "turned off" immediately if it's ever lost or stolen.

If you lose cash, the money is gone and will not be replaced. And, a lost or stolen check could still be accepted by a merchant, even after you've placed a stop payment on it. Checks also have a great deal of your personal account information (name, account number etc.) preprinted on them.

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15. What if someone else tries to use my check card?

U.S. Bank can detect unusual transactions that may indicate fraudulent use. If that happens, you'll be contacted immediately.

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16. Can someone use one of my receipts to access my account?

No. Purchase receipts should only display the last four digits of your check card number. So, even if someone finds one of your receipts, they won't have enough information to access your account.

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17. Is it safe to use my check card to make purchases on the Internet or over the phone?

Yes. When you use your check card for one of these purchases, it is considered a non-PIN purchase, and is therefore protected by the U.S. Bank Zero Liability Policy² . Your account is protected the same way it is when you pay in person. So if someone steals your check card number, you won't have to pay for any unauthorized purchases.

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Earning Check Card Rewards:

18. Can I earn rewards for using my check card¹ ?

Yes. Simply enroll in the check card reward program that's right for you. You can choose to earn cash, merchandise, travel, or contribute to an affiliation. Remember, only non-PIN purchases qualify for rewards.

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19. Do I need to get a new card when I enroll in a check card reward program?

If you enroll for a FlexPerks Travel Rewards Visa Check Card, FlexPerks Select Rewards Visa Check Card, Harley-Davidson^® Visa Check Card, Cabela's Visa Check Card or one of our affiliation Visa check cards, you will receive a new card design with a new number. If you enroll in the FlexPerks Cash Rewards Visa Check Card, you will not receive a new card. A new FlexPerks Cash Bonus Check Card will be sent to you when your current card expires.

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