Card Alerts

Card Alerts are messages (SMS or email) sent to cardholders to help manage and track Visa-processed transactions. They provide near real-time* notification of signature-based (not PIN) transaction activity based on customized alert settings. The customer can select specific alerts and specify the settings for the alerts he or she wants to receive (for example, the option to be notified when a transaction exceeds a specific value). Information in the alert includes the amount of the transaction, the merchant name and location (if available), and the last four digits of the Visa card used. 

*Actual time to receive an alert is dependent on wireless service and coverage within area. The alerts service may not be available in all areas. Account activity qualifying for the alerts service may vary by issuer. Additional restrictions apply.

Business and consumer credit and debit cards. For debit cards, Card Alerts are not available for purchases processed as PIN transactions. 

Yes. Card Alerts can be sent to up to two credit cardholders on the same account. One cardholder would receive an SMS Message and one cardholder would receive the e-mail alert message. The primary account holder designates the mobile number to receive the SMS Message Alert and the e-mail account to receive the e-mail alert.

Card Alerts cannot include two SMS text destinations or two email address destinations.

Yes. Two Visa debit cardholders who share the same account can each receive Card Alerts. Each cardholder would log into their online banking account to enroll in Card Alerts, customize their Card Alert choices, and designate if they would like to receive SMS alert messages or e-mail messages. 

Yes. Card Alerts can be sent to business cardholders. The recipient of the Card Alerts is determined by how your business card program is set up.

• For business credit card programs set up with individual card numbers, each card holder with online banking access can enroll and customize their Card Alerts.
  
• For business credit card programs set up with a control account, the controller of the account with online banking access can enroll, customize the Card Alerts settings, and designate the Card Alert recipients.
  

Yes. Each card may be set up with unique alert settings. 

There is no charge to register in Card Alerts. Standard mobile text and data charges apply for SMS message alerts. 

After you enroll, you will immediately be able to receive alerts messages. 

The following alerts are available:

• Authorization amount: An alert is triggered if a purchase amount is greater than a preset dollar amount. The minimum Threshold amount is $5.
• Approaching credit limit (credit only): An alert is triggered when Available Credit drops below a preset dollar amount.
• Card-not-present transaction: An alert is triggered if a purchase is made without the physical card present, such as when a purchase is made online or by telephone.
• International transaction: An alert is triggered if a purchase is made outside the United States.
• Declined transaction: An alert is triggered if a purchase is made at an automated fuel dispenser.
• Payment initiated (credit only): An alert is triggered when a payment has been initiated and Available Credit has been temporarily increased by the payment amount until the payment posts.
• Payment reminder (credit only): An alert is triggered a preset number of days prior to payment being due.
• Payment posted (credit only): An alert is triggered when a payment posts.
• Payment past due (credit only): An alert is triggered when a payment is past due. 
  

Step-by-step instructions for enrolling in Card Alerts are as follows:

• Log in to your Online Banking account
• Navigate to the Services tab
• Select Card Alerts
• Click Register/Manage
• Enter 16-digit card number
• Enter CVV, Expiration Date, and Zip Code
• Choose the alerts you want to receive
• Add at least one destination to which alerts will be sent
  

You must provide your:

• Full 16-digit card number
• CVV (3-digit security code on the back of the card)
• Expiration date (MM/YY)
• Zip Code
• At least one destination – an email address and/or phone number
  

Depending on your wireless service plan, standard text messaging rates from your mobile carrier may apply to SMS alert messages. You should consult your plan and if you have any questions about whether you are charged for standard text messages, please contact your mobile carrier's customer service.

If you lose your mobile phone and would like to register a new mobile number, you will need to go to the mobile/email preference page of the alerts page and register the new number. You will be sent a validation code via SMS message. You will need to enter this validation code on the alerts page. After successfully validating your new mobile phone number, all existing triggers will apply and you will continue to receive alerts as before. 

If you change your mobile phone number, you will need to change your phone number on the Manage Destinations page. Each time you enter a new phone number, you’ll receive a text message prompting you to respond YES in order to complete your registration. After successfully validating your new mobile phone number, all existing triggers will apply and you will continue to receive alerts as before. 

Yes. Simply add your authorized user’s mobile number or email address when you register as the primary cardholder. Only one email address and phone number may be added per card number. 

Yes. You will both receive alerts if you both have the same Visa card number and you both have a registered destination.

Yes. Multiple alert types can be triggered for the same transaction. Each will be delivered in a separate message to the destinations selected for that alert type. 

To opt-out of receiving alerts at any time, access your alerts preferences by entering the Card Alerts module and clicking “Register/Manage”. Then click “delete” next to each of the alerts you no longer wish to receive. 

Check to see if the unfamiliar transaction is one of the following:

• An automatic bill payment you set up for a recurring service (like cable or telephone).
• A large purchase that was divided into smaller transactions.
• An aggregated charge (several small purchases combined into one, such as buying $0.99 songs online).
• A purchase initiated by an authorized cardholder who has the same Visa card number.
• An authorization charge from a restaurant or hotel.

If you still cannot identify the transaction, please call the number on the back of your card, or the phone number provided in the alert.

Certain transactions—such as buying $0.99 songs online, are aggregated into one large transaction.

Occasionally an alert is delayed if a merchant does not immediately submit your transaction information for processing. The merchant may be waiting until your order ships to do so or may not have immediate access to a power source for transmitting data. 

Certain transactions may trigger an initial authorization amount of $1 or some other small amount to verify that your card is valid. You will probably receive a second alert for the actual purchase amount when you submit your online purchase. Note that you will only be charged for the actual amount of your purchase.

Some online merchants may request an initial authorization amount of $1 or some other small amount to verify that your account is valid. Alerts are triggered based on the initial authorization amount, so in this case you will probably receive a second alert for the actual purchase amount when you submit your online purchase. Note that you will only be charged for the actual amount of your purchase.

Alerts are triggered based on the initial authorization amount that the restaurant sends, which may or may not include the estimated tip, and is not necessarily the final amount for which you signed.

Alerts are triggered based on the initial authorization amount the hotel sends, which doesn't include discretionary charges such as room service, parking, dry cleaning, and wireless service.

Your bank may be able to help you determine the merchant's actual location. The alert includes the merchant name and location only if they are made available with the authorization.

No. An alert cannot be considered a replacement for a receipt.

No, there is no way to access a history of received alerts.