The New Coutts Visa Debit Cards – frequently asked questions
- What are the advantages of moving to Visa?
- Which cards will this affect?
- When will I receive a new Visa Debit branded card?
- Will I need to wait for a new PIN before I can use my new Visa Debit card?
- Will my 16 digit card number change?
- Will my new card require activation?
- Will the card features remain the same?
- Has the Account card changed to a credit card now that the issuer is Visa?
- Is my Visa Debit card covered by an online protection scheme?
- Will the Visa logo on my card be the standard white, blue and orange?
- When my old card expires will the new card be the Stella McCartney design?
- What are the charges for withdrawing funds abroad for Visa Debit?
- I have just received a Visa branded card but my Maestro/Cash/Business Cash card is still valid – what action do I need to take?
- Why I am getting a new card while the old one is still valid?
- Are there any restrictions on the use of the Cash Card or Business Card?
- What happens if I pay for my holiday with a Visa Debit card and the company goes into liquidation?
What are the advantages of moving to Visa?
The move to Visa Debit will mean you will be able to use your new Visa Debit card in more than 29 million locations in 160 countries. You can also withdraw cash from over 1 million cash machines worldwide and obtain cash over the counter from any bank in the UK and abroad wherever the Visa logo is displayed. Additionally, there is a greater level of protection on goods and services purchased with Visa Debit cards.
The move to Visa Debit will affect all Account cards, Cash cards and Business Cash cards.
When will I receive a new Visa Debit branded card?
If your current card is due to expire, lost or stolen or if you require a replacement card between September 2009 and January 2010, you will receive a new Visa Debit card at this time. All Account cards, Cash cards and Business Cash cards not replaced by the end of January will be replaced by the end of Spring 2010.
Will I need to wait for a new PIN before I can use my new Visa Debit card?
No, your PIN will remain the same.
Will my 16 digit card number change?
Yes. You should note that if your current Maestro details are registered with any retailers, or are saved on any autofill settings on your computer, they will need to be updated with your new card number.
Will my new card require activation?
In most cases the new card will come already activated, although a small number of cards will require activation. If this is necessary, an activation sticker will appear on your card.
Will the card features remain the same?
You will be able to use your new Visa Debit card in exactly the same way as you use your current card. For example, with the Account Card, you will still be able to undertake telephone and internet transactions in the UK and overseas, guarantee sterling cheques up to £250, and your daily cash withdrawal limits will not change. Cash cards and Business Cash cards will also work in the same way – they can only be used at a retailer where they can authorise the transaction with the bank at the time of the transaction being made and if sufficient funds are available. Similarly, they will not offer a cheque guarantee.
Has the Account card changed to a credit card now that the issuer is Visa?
No. Although your new card carries the Visa logo, it should not be confused with a credit card.
Is my Visa Debit card covered by an online protection scheme?
Visa Debit transactions are protected by ‘Verified by Visa’ which works in the same way as MasterCard SecureCode. If you complete a transaction online you will then be asked to verify this transaction by keying in your password. Verified by Visa adds a further level of security to your online purchases as fraudulent transactions can not be completed without your password. Clients who are already enrolled with MasterCard Secure can use their existing password with Verified by Visa as we will update your details automatically, saving you the need to re-register.you are not already registered you will be able to register by visiting: http://www.coutts.com/productsandservices/onlineverification.asp
Will the Visa logo on my card be the standard white, blue and orange?
On the Account Card we will use a new Visa Debit logo in brushed silver. The Cash Card and Business Cash Card will bear the standard logo.
When my old card expires will the new card be the Stella McCartney design?
Yes, although the card will become a Visa Debit card, the design will be the same.
What are the charges for withdrawing funds abroad for Visa Debit?
All non-sterling transactions will be converted to sterling using the exchange rate provided by Visa and a foreign exchange charge of 2.65% will be applied
I have just received a Visa branded card but my Maestro/Cash/Business Cash card is still valid – what action do I need to take?
You should destroy your Maestro card by cutting through the magnetic strip and chip. The Maestro card will automatically be cancelled. In addition you will need to re-register your card at any online retailers used on a regular basis.
Why I am getting a new card while the old one is still valid?
We want our clients to start enjoying the extra benefits of Visa Debit as soon as possible.
Are there any restrictions on the use of the Cash Card or Business Card?
Cash Cards and Business cards can only be used at a retailer where they can authorise the transaction at the time the transaction is being made. Additionally, because of the way certain terminals work, the Cash Card and Business Cash Card cannot be used at petrol pumps where the card authorisations are done at the pump.
What happens if I pay for my holiday with a Visa Debit card and the company goes into liquidation?
The Visa Scheme will be able to provide assistance in certain circumstances such as when you use a Visa Debit card to pay for goods and services that are not received or in cases of insolvency. In the first instance you should attempt to resolve the issue with the retailer, but if you are unable to resolve the matter directly, we can try to recover your funds through the chargeback process. Private clients should call Coutts 24 on +44 (0) 20 7957 2424 or Commercial clients should call Coutts BusinessLine on+44 (0) 20 7770 0070 for further information.