BE SMART CHECKING ACCOUNT FAQs
How can I put money into my checking account?
- You can deposit cash and checks by bringing them to the credit union.
- You can make arrangements to have money deposited directly from an employer or from a
parent.
- You can also transfer money from your savings account via eBranch (online banking), Tex Line
(an automated phone service), and at a Texas Partners ATM.
How can I get money out of my checking account?
- You can make purchases and withdrawals by using your debit card.
- You can get cash by coming to the credit union.
- You can get a “Credit Union Check” – we’ll write a check to someone you want to pay – by
coming to the credit union.
What is a debit card?
A debit card lets you access the money you have in your checking account. The amount of money
you can access is equal to the amount of money you have in your account. You cannot spend or
withdraw more than you have.
When you use your card, money is electronically transferred out of your account. If you use your
card to make a purchase, the money is transferred to the seller. Usually, the transfer is completed
within a day or two. Sometimes it takes longer.
Where can a debit card be used?
- A debit card may be used to make purchases online, over the telephone, and at merchants
such as clothing stores, restaurants, movie theaters, gas stations, etc.
- A debit card can also be used at an ATM to withdraw cash and to check your balance.
- Your Be Smart debit card can be used anywhere that accepts Visa® branded cards.
Typically, the Visa® logo will be displayed on the store front, website, or on the ATM.
How do I use my card to make an in-person purchase?
When making an in-person purchase, you (or the cashier) will swipe your card. Sometimes, the
cashier will ask you if you want the transaction to be a “debit” or “credit” transaction. For a
“debit” transaction, you will need to enter your PIN (stands for Personal Identification Number).
For a “credit” transaction, you will need to enter your signature.
If you make an in-person debit (PIN-based) transaction, some merchants will let you get “cash
back.”
How do I use my card to make a purchase online or over the phone?
When making an online purchase, you will need to enter information about your card including the
card number, the expiration date, and the CSC (stands for Card Security Code). The card number
and expiration date are found on the front of your card. The CSC is found on the back of your
card.
Are there limits on how much money I can spend each day?
Yes, your purchases cannot exceed $1,000 in a 24-hour period. But remember, to make any
purchase, you must have enough money in your account to cover the full transaction amount.
How do I use my card at an ATM?
Using your card at an ATM involves swiping your card, entering your PIN, selecting the account
(savings or checking account) from which you want to take the funds, and indicating the amount
you wish to withdraw. Your cash is dispensed. Always remember to take your receipt and keep it
until you have the chance to enter your withdrawal into your checking account “register.”
Are there any fees to use an ATM?
There are no fees to use an ATM associated with Texas Partners. You can find a listing on our
website.
If you use a “foreign” ATM, meaning one that is not associated with Texas Partners, both the
owner of the ATM and Texas Partners will charge you for using it. These fees will be deducted
from your checking account.
Texas Partners will charge you $2.00 to withdraw cash from a foreign ATM and we will charge
0.50¢ if you check your balance. (These fees may change in the future.)
The owner of the ATM will put a message on the ATM screen to tell you how much they will charge
your account. Before the cash is dispensed, you will have to “accept” the charge.
Are there limits on how much money I can withdraw at an ATM each day?
Yes, your withdrawals cannot exceed $500 in a 24-hour period. But remember, to withdraw
money from an ATM, you must have enough money in your account to cover the full transaction
amount.
What if I forget my PIN?
If you forget your PIN, call us at 254-526-3081 and we will reset your PIN. Once it is reset, the
old PIN will no longer work.
What if I lose my card? Or someone steals it?
If you lose your card or it is stolen, call us at 254-526-3081 and we will issue you a new card.
Is there a fee for a new card?
Your first replacement card is free but each additional replacement card will cost $7.50 each. If
you lose your card more than 3 times, we will charge you an additional $28.00. (These fees may
change in the future.)
Can I have 2 cards?
Each “owner” of the account may only have one card. So you, as the primary owner, can have
one card but each joint owner may also have one card.
Can I share my PIN with my friends so they can use my card, too?
No! Never tell anyone your PIN and never let anyone else use your card to make purchases or to
withdraw cash. You are responsible for every PIN transaction made against your account.
Can I use my card to add money to my checking account?
Not at this time.
Can I use my card at the “pay at the pump” gas stations?
Yes, however, we recommend that you pay inside the service station. Why? Because, when you
pay at the pump a lot of stations authorize a temporary hold be placed on your account in an
amount greater than your actual purchase – usually around $75.00. Once the money for the
purchase is electronically transferred to them, they release the temporary hold. There are two
problems with this: (1) it may take several days for the temporary hold to be lifted and during
that time you will not have access to those funds, and (2) if you do not have enough money in your
account to cover both the purchase price and the hold amount, your purchase may be denied.
What happens if my card is declined when I am making a purchase?
First make sure your balance is large enough to cover the purchase. If so, then call 1-866-5082693. There may be a temporary block on your card due to suspicious activity.
At Texas Partners, safeguarding your account is an important part of our business. We are proud
to provide unparalleled security for your debit card. No matter how careful you are with your
financial records, it is possible for a criminal to find a way to access your debit card information to
make unauthorized purchases. To combat this threat, we use a leading fraud protection service to
monitor your accounts and detect suspicious activity. Here’s how it works:
 The service has information about fraud that has occurred for other cardholders.
 The service learns your normal spending patterns.
 Based on a combination of this information, the service evaluates your transaction. If the
transaction is considered suspicious, a fraud specialist will contact you to verify that you
authorized the transaction.
 If you confirm the transaction is legitimate, there is no impact.
 If you confirm that you did not authorize the transaction, that card is immediately blocked
to stop more fraud from occurring.
 If the fraud specialist cannot reach you, a message will be left and your card may be
temporarily blocked until you return the call.
 If while making a transaction you discover that your card has been blocked, call 1-866508-2693. We recommend you program this number into your mobile phone. This number
can be called 24/7/365 from anywhere in the United States.
What if I am going on vacation; will my transactions be blocked?
It is very possible because these transactions will be made outside your normal spending pattern.
To avoid this, call us at (254) 526-3081 before leaving on your trip. We will make the necessary
arrangements.