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Card Guard® FAQs

card guard FAQs
card guard FAQs

Overview

Card Guard is a free, easy-to-use tool within mobile banking that lets you decide when and where your America First cards are used. Download mobile banking from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

No, our mobile banking app and Card Guard are free. However, mobile carriers may charge for internet access and use.

Yes. The app only displays the last four digits of your card's number and no information is stored on your device.

Our free app is available for both Android and Apple devices.

If you already have the newest version of America First mobile banking, Card Guard is integrated in that app. If you do not see Card Guard within mobile banking, please update the version you have.

Log In

Card Guard is available is part of our free mobile banking app. Once you’ve downloaded the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, log in using your America First credentials. Enable notifications and set your preferences to utilize Card Guard within the app.

Click the Forgot Password link on the login screen for the app and follow the instructions. If you still are unable to access your account through mobile banking, please call 1-866-224-2158 or visit a branch.

Control Preferences

Yes, but only those that are merchant-indicated and recurring.

Control settings will take effect as soon as they are added.

Only the primary device can set locations. Transactions could also be declined because of other Card Guard control preferences or external factors like non-sufficient funds or fraud monitoring.

If it's been off for more than an hour, location-based controls won't activate & the transactions will go through. Additional card controls will remain in effect.

The default location for the international control is based on the device. If it's on, all transactions outside your home country will decline. You can change your home country to your preference.

In some cases, merchants will submit pre-authorizations on fuel purchases to test the card's validity. Some use a maximum amount, such as $126, while others set the minimum test charge at $1. If this pre-authorization goes over your set limit, the transaction will be declined.

It's typically based on the transaction's zip code. If the merchant is near where you are, it will be approved.

Yes, you should still inform us of upcoming travel plans to avoid any unnecessary spending interruption.

If America First owns the ATM, it will process all withdrawals from your accounts.

There are many reasons for a denial. Go into the transaction details to view the denial reason. To troubleshoot it further, please use secure chat within online banking, call 1-800-999-3961, or visit your local branch.

Alert Preferences

These let you know every time a card transaction is attempted. You can be alerted when all or preferred transactions are being made. Alerts are also available by location, transaction type, merchant type, and spend limit.

Only the device marked as primary and set to receive notifications will get alerts. You also need to enable notifications for the America First mobile banking app on your device. To check your status, log in and click on Settings at the main menu.

Yes

Transaction History

Transactions show up for seven calendar days. Histories contain the last 50 transactions.

Some merchants have pre-authorizations at higher amounts to test the cards. For example, a $25 gas purchase might display as $126. Pre-authorizations are common at the pump, for a hotel stay, or with car rentals. Even though the pending charge is listed in Card Guard for more, it will clear for the correct amount.

Whenever a transaction is denied unintentionally, tap on the alert to open it. Below the transaction details the app will allow you to close the alert or allow you to perform a one-time approval by tapping Authorize.

Doing so will remove your controls for the next attempted transaction and restore your controls immediately after. If no transaction is attempted within 10 minutes of tapping “Authorize”, the controls are restored.

Transaction History

On supported iOS devices, you can use Face ID or Touch ID.
On supported Android devices, you can use Fingerprint Authentication.

To manage which cards are displayed and affected by changes, select Card Guard in the mobile banking app, then click the settings gear in the corner, followed by Hide/Show Cards.

Alerts will still be sent for in-store and ATM transactions. All other alerts will not be sent.

Download the Mobile Banking App

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At America First Credit Union, our chief concern is the financial well-being of members. We strive to provide superior products and services and strengthen the communities we serve.