Common Questions and Answers about CHIEFChek Debit Cards
Q: What is CHIEFChek?
A: It’s a debit card that essentially operates as an electronic checkbook at any merchant who accepts
MasterCard® debit cards. It also doubles as an automated teller machine (ATM) card for making deposits,
withdrawals, or transfers between your checking and savings accounts. It can be used as an ATM card
wherever you see the MasterCard®, Cirrus®, Maestro®, Accel, Exchange or Shazam™ (Iowa only) symbol
debit cards.
Q: Is CHIEFChek a Credit Card?
A: No! As a debit card, it automatically deducts purchases from your checking account rather than adding to
the balance on a line of credit.
Q: Why would I want CHIEFChek?
A: Worldwide, global convenience! Use the card at any location that accepts MasterCard® debit cards. That
includes millions of merchants across the world. There’s no need to carry checks or worry about them getting
lost or stolen. There’s no need to carry extra cash. Plus you have ATM access 24 hours a day in hundreds of
thousands of locations.
Q: What is the fee for a CHIEFChek card?
A: The CHIEFChek card is free. However, your regular checking account and associated ATM fees will
apply.
Q: How safe is CHIEFChek to use?
A: Very safe! As a safety measure ATM and point-ofsale (POS) transactions can only be completed by using
your personal identification number (ATM). Likewise, merchants who accept MasterCard® debit cards as a
credit will require any transaction to be completed by your signature, which they are expected to verify with
the signature on the back side of your CHIEFChek card.
Q: Should I keep my ATM card?
A: No, once you receive and successfully activate your CHIEFChek card, destroy your ATM card. There is
no need to carry both cards. Remember, your CHIEFChek card is an ATM card. It provides you with the
same functionality of your ATM card and more.
Q: Can I select my own PIN?
A: Yes. Upon activation of your card, you can select your own PIN (Personal Identification Number) for
each CHIEFChek card number that is issued.
Milan – Main Bank
301 4th Street West, P.O. Box 1100, Milan, IL 61264-1100
P (309) 787-4451 F (309) 787-7564
Member FDIC
Q: How do I activate my CHIEFChek card?
A: Your CHIEFChek card is activated by using it at any ATM or by calling the toll-free number included with
the card when you receive it. The toll-free option allows you to activate your card and select your own PIN
using the highest security available. You will be asked to provide specific information that only you will know,
then a series of quick prompts will guide you through the system. Whichever method you choose, upon
activation, you can immediately use your card at ATMs and point-ofsale for purchases.
Q: How many purchases can I make in a day with my CHIEFChek card?
A: You can make 15 combined POS and signature based transactions in a 24 hour period as long as you do
not exceed your available balance or daily withdrawal limit. The default daily withdrawal limits are $300 at an
ATM and POS or signature based transactions or $700 in each 24 hour period. You may qualify for higher
daily withdrawal limits at the POS. Certain POS transactions may place holds against your account which
could reduce your daily withdrawal limit.
Q: Can I use CHIEFChek for a Cash Advance?
A: Yes, you may use your CHIEFChek card for a cash advance at any time provided you do not exceed your
available balance or daily withdrawal limit. There are no associated transaction or finance charges imposed by
Blackhawk Bank & Trust for a cash advance.
Q: How do I keep track of purchases?
A: Merchants will give you a receipt for your purchases just as they normally would. Plus, each purchase will
be detailed on your monthly checking account statement. ATMs will provide transaction receipts as usual. Be
sure to record all of your transactions in your check register.
Q: How many days before my CHIEFChek purchase posts to my account?
A: The average time between merchant authorization and posting is 2-3 days. It depends on the settlement
procedure the merchant uses for processing MasterCard® sales transactions.
Q: With CHIEFChek, do I still need a credit card?
A: Yes, if your prefer to buy on credit or if you want to spread out payments. A debit card will not allow
making payments over time. The amount of your purchase is deducted immediately from your checking
account.
Q: Do I pay interest or finance charges on purchases?
A: No! CHIEFChek purchases are posted directly to your checking account. You are not making a credit card
purchase subject to finance charges. The only transaction fees you will have are those associated with your
ATM card usage.
Q: Can I link my savings account to CHIEFChek?
A: Yes and No. You can access your savings account with a CHIEFChek card via ATMs. However, all
purchase transactions will be posted to your checking account.
Milan – Main Bank
301 4th Street West, P.O. Box 1100, Milan, IL 61264-1100
P (309) 787-4451 F (309) 787-7564
Member FDIC
Q: What happens if I lose my CHIEFChek card?
A: Contact us immediately: during regular business hours, contact us at (309) 787-4451 or after business
hours, call the Fiserv toll-free at (800) 472-3272. You must contact us within 48- hours of your card being lost
or stolen to eliminate your liability for fraudulent card usage.
Q: Do I still need to order checks?
A: Probably. While CHIEFChek is widely accepted you may still be required to or desire to write an
occasional check for a purchase or a bill. For your convenience, we suggest you maintain a supply of checks
at all times.
Q: Can I issue a Stop Payment order on a CHIEFChek purchase?
A: No, Stop Payment orders are not allowed on a CHIEFChek purchase. Instead, you can dispute your
purchase by asking us to perform a Chargeback procedure on your behalf. There is a $10.00 service charge
for each Chargeback we perform on your behalf. If you have lost your transaction receipt, an additional $5.00
will be charged for a transaction retrieval. Please refer to our account disclosure for complete details on the
Chargeback process.
Q: What is the cost to replace a lost, damaged, captured or stolen CHIEFChek card?
A: There is a $15.00 service charge to replace a lost, damaged, captured or stolen card. Expedited service is
available for $50.00 plus applicable shipping charges.
Q: What about telephone, mail order or Internet purchases?
A: CHIEFChek can be used at any merchant that accepts MasterCard® debit cards as a form of payment.
When making telephone, mail order, or Internet purchases, make sure your billing address matches the
mailing address on your corresponding Blackhawk Bank & Trust account or the purchase may be declined
due to the address verification software some merchants use.
Q: I lost a merchant transaction receipt. Can I get a copy?
A: Yes. Call us at (309) 787-9598 and ask for the ATM Coordinator. We will send you a Retrieval Request
Form to complete. There is a $5.00 service charge for each Retrieval Request.
Q: What happens when I return a CHIEFChek purchase?
A: The return will be handled as if you made the purchase with a credit card. The merchant may credit your
checking account for the amount of your purchase instead of giving you the return purchase amount back in
cash.
Q: I want to close my account. What should I do?
A: You must return all CHIEFChek cards linked to your account to Blackhawk Bank & Trust immediately.
After one business week, we will issue you a check for the remaining balance in your account. This procedure
allows for any authorized but un-posted transactions to post to your account before it is closed.
Milan – Main Bank
301 4th Street West, P.O. Box 1100, Milan, IL 61264-1100
P (309) 787-4451 F (309) 787-7564
Member FDIC
Q: My CHIEFChek card was captured at an ATM. Will it be returned to me?
A: No, MasterCard® debit card rules prohibit captured debit cards from being returned to cardholders in an
effort to prevent fraud, theft, or counterfeiting. If your card is captured by an ATM, contact us immediately
at (309) 787-9598 and we will order a new CHIEFChek card for you. Please be advised that certain merchants
such as hotels, motels, lodging, restaurants, car rental companies, airlines, passenger railways and U.S. cruise
lines may require outstanding authorizations and/or gratuities that place an extended hold on your account.
This practice may affect your daily withdrawal limit.
Important Reminder:
You can use your CHIEFChek card anywhere MasterCard® debit cards are accepted. If you choose the
Credit option when making a purchase, there is no need to enter your PIN. If you choose the Debit option
and experience any difficulty, simply try again and select the Credit option. Either way, the amount of your
payment or purchase will be deducted from your checking account.
Milan – Main Bank
301 4th Street West, P.O. Box 1100, Milan, IL 61264-1100
P (309) 787-4451 F (309) 787-7564
Member FDIC