Keep Your Checking Account Covered

Courtesy Card Clear

Recently enacted federal regulations now require Members to opt-in to receive overdraft protection services for one-time, everyday ATM and debit card transactions.

Courtesy Card Clear provides protection for your checking account when you don’t have enough funds available to cover your transaction.

Why should you opt-in?

• Avoid the embarrassment of having your transaction declined when you are shopping in a store or out at a restaurant.

• Provides peace of mind for the moments when you are in an emergency situation and need to use your ATM/Debit card.

• There is no fee to opt-in to Courtesy Card Clear*. You will only be charged a $29 fee if you use the service.

Ready to Opt-In? It’s Easy!

• CALL – 800/ 290-1112 and speak with a representative.

• CALL - 800/ 290-1112, press 4 and opt-in through our automated service.
  

• CLICK – Fill out an opt-in form online.

• COME IN – Fill out the form below and bring it into any branch.

Please Note: Courtesy Card Clear is for checking accounts only.

Courtesy Card Clear - Opt-In Form

Courtesy Card Clear Information

Courtesy Card Clear FAQs

Addendum to Truth In Savings Agreement

Click here to read about all of the Overdraft Protection Programs offered.

Courtesy Check Clear

Courtesy Check Clear is a service that we provide that allows us to pay, at our discretion, an item presented against your checking account even if it causes your account to be overdrawn. As long as you meet the qualifications we will pay your checks and automatic bill payments, even if it takes your account negative.

Do I have to opt-in to Courtesy Check Clear?
No. Qualified accounts will automatically be enrolled in this program. If you do not want to participate in the program, we will return any items presented to your checking account when you do not have sufficient funds to cover the transaction.

How do I qualify for Courtesy Check Clear?
To qualify for this service, you must:
Be a Member for more than 180 days
Have a checking account open for more than 180 days
Have direct deposit
Be a Member in good standing

How do I cancel Courtesy Check Clear?
CALL – Call us at 800/ 290-1112 and speak with a representative
COME IN – Come to one of our branches and speak with a representative
EMAIL – Email us at contactus@amerfirst.org at let us know

If I opt-in for Courtesy Check Clear, will my all of my checks and automatic bill payments be paid?
Not necessarily. We pay overdrafts at our discretion, which means we do not guarantee that we will always authorize and pay your checks and automatic bill payment transactions.

Are there fees to use Courtesy Check Clear?
We will charge a $29 fee each time we pay an overdraft. If you do NOT have Courtesy Check Clear, we will return your checks and automatic bill payment transactions when you do not have enough money in your checking account.

Does opting in to Courtesy Check Clear affect my one-time debit card transactions?
No. American First Courtesy Check Clear is for paper checks and automatic bill payment transactions only. Your one-time debit card transactions are not impacted program and will be processed as usual.

What if I don’t want Courtesy Check Clear?
You are automatically enrolled in this program, if you’re sure you don’t want your checks and automatic bill payment transactions paid when you don’t have sufficient funds in your account, you need to contact American First CU and let us know.

What type of transactions does American First Courtesy Check Clear cover?
American First will pay the following transactions at our discretion:
Checks written on your American First Checking account
Automatic Bill Payments

What type of accounts does Courtesy Check Clear cover?
Courtesy Check Clear is available on qualified checking accounts.

How quickly must I bring my account positive?
You should make every attempt to bring your account to a positive balance as quickly as possible, no later than 14 days from taking your account negative.

Can I cancel Courtesy Check Clear?
Yes. Call us at 800/ 290-1112. You may also send a written request, including your name, address, date of request, and account number(s), to us at: American First Credit Union Attn: Member Services 700 N. Harbor Blvd. La Habra, CA 90631; Visit us at any of our branch locations; Email us at contactus@amerfirst.org

What You Need to Know about
Overdrafts and Overdraft Fees

An overdraft occurs when you do not have enough money in your account to cover a transaction, but we pay it anyway. We can cover your overdrafts in two different ways:

1. We have standard overdraft practices that may be offered with your checking account.*

2. We also offer overdraft protection, such as a link to a savings account or an approved line of credit, which may be less expensive than our standard overdraft practices. To learn more, ask us about these plans.

For Existing Accounts
If you do not opt in, beginning August 15, 2010, your ATM and one-time debit card transactions will NOT be protected.

For New Accounts
If you open a new account on or after July 1, 2010, your ATM and one-time debit card transactions will NOT be protected unless you opt in.

This notice explains our standard overdraft practices.

What are the standard overdraft practices that come with my account?

We do authorize and pay overdrafts for the following types of transactions*:

• Checks and other transactions made using your checking account number

• Automatic bill payments

We do not authorize and pay overdrafts for the following types of transactions unless you ask us to (see below):

• Everyday, one-time debit card transactions

• ATM transactions

We pay overdrafts at our discretion, which means we do not guarantee that we will always authorize and pay any type of transaction. If we do not authorize and pay an overdraft, your transaction will be declined.

What fees will I be charged if American First Credit Union pays my overdraft?

Under our standard overdraft practices:

• We will charge you a fee of $29 each time we pay an overdraft.

• There is no limit on the total fees we can charge you for overdrawing your account.

What if I want American First Credit Union to authorize and pay overdrafts on my ATM and everyday, one-time debit card transactions?

If you also want us to authorize and pay overdrafts on ATM and everyday, one-time debit card transactions, please indicate your preference below.

What if I want to revoke my decision to have American First Credit Union authorize and pay overdrafts on my ATM and everyday debit card transactions?

If you opt-in and decide later that you want to revoke your decision to have American First Credit Union authorize and pay overdrafts on ATM and everyday debit card transactions, call us at 800/ 290-1112. You may also send a written request, including your name, address, date of request, and account number(s), to us at:

American First Credit Union

Attn:  Account Services

700 N. Harbor Blvd.

La Habra, CA  90631

*Certain qualifying factors apply