Chip Cards
All SLFCU debit cards and credit cards use chip technology, which is now a global standard for processing payments.
If you have any questions or concerns about your credit card, debit card, or chip card technology, please call 505.293.0500 or 800.947.5328.
To activate your new debit card, call 800.947.5328 or make a transaction using your PIN.
To activate your new credit card, call 800.527.7728.
Chip cards contain an embedded microprocessor that creates a unique transaction code every time the card is used for a payment. This code ensures the authenticity of the transaction. In addition, a chip is much more difficult to replicate and counterfeit than a magnetic stripe.
If a merchant does not have a chip-enabled terminal and you use the magnetic stripe to swipe your card, the unique transaction code will not be generated, and the additional layer of security will not be applied to that transaction.
1. Insert the chip portion of the card into the terminal with the chip facing up. It’s important to leave the card in the terminal until the transaction is complete. If the card is removed too soon, the transaction will not be processed.
2. Follow the prompts on the terminal’s screen. You may be asked to enter a PIN or provide a signature.
3. Once the purchase is approved you will be prompted to remove the card.
The need for a PIN is based on the merchant's payment terminal settings, which will determine whether the transaction will require a PIN or signature, or neither if the purchase is below a certain dollar amount.
If the merchant hasn't installed or activated its chip-enabled terminal you may use the magnetic stripe on your card to perform the transaction - although this method of payment will not provide the additional layer of security that the chip would.
SLFCU chip-enabled cards support both PIN and signature transactions, and the merchant's terminal settings will define how the transaction is processed.
To request or change a PIN for an SLFCU credit card, please call 888.886.0083.
To change a PIN for an SLFCU debit card, please visit any SLFCU branch or CU Anytime ATM.
No. RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. Cards that use RFID to communicate with payment terminals are also known as contactless cards because they emit a wireless signal and only need to be held near a payment terminal to make a payment.
SLFCU's chip cards are contact cards and must be inserted into a payment terminal or physically swiped for any data to be read from the card. They do not use RFID technology and do not emit any wireless signals.
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