StartPoint Card FAQs

For Parents  |  Customer Descrepancies

For Teens: Using the StartPoint Card

How do I activate my StartPoint Card?
When you first get your StartPoint Card and PIN, simply go to an ATM and perform a balance inquiry, or any other type of transaction that requires a PIN. This will activate your card for purchase transactions.
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How do I know how much money I have to spend?
Your parents decide how much money you get to spend by funding your StartPoint Card. You may check your current StartPoint Card available balance using MCU's online banking or TIPS 24-hr. access at 800-662-2772.

When you check your balance, you will notice two different balances are displayed:

• Current Balance: The total of all deposits, less all transactions that have cleared your account. Please note purchases can take several days to clear your account.
• Available Balance: Your balance minus any outstanding purchases that have not yet cleared your account.

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Where can I use my StartPoint Card?
You can use your StartPoint Card to pay for purchases anywhere Visa is accepted. If the merchant displays the Visa logo, you'll be able to use your StartPoint Card.
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Can I use the StartPoint Card to buy over the Internet?
Yes, as long as the web site accepts Visa for payment.
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Do I present the StartPoint Card as a "credit" or a "debit" card?
Either one will work. When you present the card as a "credit" you will need to sign for authorization. When you present the card as a "debit" you will need to enter your PIN for authorization.
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How do I access my StartPoint Card Account using the TIPS phone line?
Call 847-342-9300, ext. 1 (or 800-662-2772 outside Chicagoland). Enter your account number and TIPS Access Code. When prompted, press 2 to access "checking".
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How do I return an item?
Return the item purchased to the merchant. It's always good to bring the receipt if you have it. The merchant should process a credit to your StartPoint account, which should appear on your account within a week or so.
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Can I use my card overseas?
Yes. A StartPoint Card is accepted at any merchant who accepts Visa.
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Are there any spending limits?
Yes. $700 per day is your purchase limit (provided funds are available).
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Can I use my StartPoint Card in an ATM?
This is up to your parents. Your StartPoint Card automatically comes with ATM access (daily withdrawal limit of $25). However, your parents can request to have ATM access turned off.
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How do I withdraw at an ATM?
When using an ATM for a cash withdrawal, enter your PIN and choose the "withdraw from checking" option. You'll then be prompted to enter the requested withdrawal amount.
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Is there a fee to use my StartPoint Card?
No. There is no fee for purchases or for ATM transactions. (At an ATM, there may be a surcharge fee from the bank that owns the ATM. This is not an MCU fee.)
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Where can I see a listing of my transactions?
You can log onto MCU Online Banking or use our TIPS 24-hour phone access. Each month that you use the StartPoint Card you will also receive a monthly statement in the mail at the beginning of the next month.
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Can I change my StartPoint Card PIN?
Yes. You can change your StartPoint PIN at MCU, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Ste. 100, Arlington Heights, IL 60005.
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How do I change my Online Banking/TIPS PIN?
You can change it when you log in to MCU Online Banking, under My Accounts, Personal Preferences.
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Parents: Getting the StartPoint Card and Transferring Funds

How old does my teen have to be to get a StartPoint Card?
Teens must be 13- 16 years of age to get the StartPoint Card.
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Must I also have an account at MCU?
Yes. This is the account you will use to transfer funds to your teen's StartPoint Card. You can use any MCU account, including money market, checking, and Visa.
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How do I transfer funds to the StartPoint Card?
You can transfer funds using MCU's online banking or by dialing in to TIPS telephone access at 800-662-2772. Both are available 24 hours a day.

If you prefer, you can also set up an automatic transfer to happen weekly, every other week, or monthly. For example, every month on the 11th, $50 will be transferred from your funding money market account to the StartPoint Card account.
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Will I need a PIN number to access accounts?
Yes. You will receive a PIN number to access your funding accounts online and via TIPS.

A separate PIN number to access your teen's StartPoint Card account online and via TIPS will be sent to your teen under separate cover.
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Is there a limit as to how much I can transfer to the StartPoint Card?
Refer to our Parent's Guide: Teaching Your Teen to Manage Money for advice on allowance amounts. Technically, you can transfer up to your available balance.
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How can I track my teen's spending?
You can check transactions anytime with MCU's Online Banking. With online banking, you can view the purchase amount and merchant name. Using TIPS telephone access, only the amount will be listed.
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Are there any fees for the StartPoint Card?
There are no fees for the StartPoint Card, online transactions or telephone transactions:

StartPoint Card: Free
StartPoint Transactions: Free
Fund transfer via online banking: Free
Balance inquiry via online banking: Free
Fund transfer via TIPS telelphone: Free
Balance inquiry via TIPS telephone: Free
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Are there any fees for my funding account?
Most MCU accounts do not have a fee as long as the minimum balance requirement is met; but please refer to the Truth-in-Savings Account Agreement for the specific account you choose to open. Again, online and TIPS telephone transactions are free.
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Does the StartPoint Card expire?
The StartPoint Card is good for two years. Before the expiration date, we will ask you if you would like to continue the StartPoint Card for another two years.
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Can my teen use this card at an ATM?
The StartPoint Card automatically comes with ATM access with a daily withdrawal limit of $25. However, you can choose to turn this option off, or increase the withdrawal limit, depending upon your teen's needs and level of money management skills.
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How can I cancel a StartPoint Card?
Contact a Financial Service Associate by e-mail, or at 800-662-2772.
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How do I fund this account?
You designate which of your MCU accounts you would like to use as funding accounts. To fund the card, simply use online banking or TIPS phone access to transfer funds from your account to the StartPoint card.
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How do I change ATM limits?
Contact MCU at 847-342-9300, ext. 2.
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Can my teen use this card to get cash back at a merchant?
Yes. Your teen can get cash back at a merchant that offers this service.
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How do I change my Online Banking/TIPS PIN?
You can change it when you log in to MCU Online Banking, under My Accounts, Personal Preferences.
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What happens if the StartPoint Card is lost or stolen?
Notify MCU immediately by calling 847-342-9300 during business hours. Our business hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8 - 5; Wednesday 11 - 5; and Saturday 8 - 12 (CST). After business hours, please call 800-528-2273.

If the card has been stolen, you should also report this information to the police.
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Customer Discrepancies

How do I contact MCU?
You may reach us by e-mail or by calling our toll free number at 1-800-662-2772 during office hours, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8 - 5; Wednesday 11 - 5; and Saturday 8 - 12 (CST).
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What if a charge appears on my statement that doesn't appear to be initiated by my teen?
Merchant descriptions shown on statements can be cryptic. Therefore, it is quite possible that the charge truly was initiated by your StartPoint Cardholder. A Financial Service Associate can assist you in identifying the charge. If you suspect the charge is fraudulent, you should immediately suspend the use of the StartPoint Card and contact us immediately. If it is after business hours, you may call 1-800-528-2273.
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How do I dispute a charge?
Contact a Financial Service Associate to assist you in processing the dispute. You must notify MCU within 60 days of the disputed charge.
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