Summit's Debit Card Controls FAQ
What are Summit’s Debit Card Controls?
An easy, flexible way to control and manage your Summit debit card anytime, anywhere – right from the Summit Debit Card Controls app on your mobile device! You’re in charge of when and where your debit card can be used, plus view and act on instant alerts as transactions happen.
Why use Summit’s Debit Card Controls?
Managing your Summit debit card with our Debit Card Controls helps you stay on budget to meet your goals and protect your account. Here’s a quick overview of key benefits:
Control where, when and how your Summit debit cards are used.
Turn your Summit debit cards on and off instantly from your mobile device.
Limit spending amounts on your Summit debit cards to reach your budget goals.
Restrict certain types of purchases on your Summit debit cards.
Change your PIN.
Activate your card.
View your last few transactions.
Push your debit card to your phone’s wallet.
Load your travel itinerary.
Can I use Summit’s Debit Card Controls from a desktop or laptop computer?
Debit Card Controls is currently only available for access from your mobile device, including a smartphone, smartwatch or tablet. But your mobile device lets you conveniently manage and control your Summit debit card anytime and anywhere!
How do I start using Summit’s Debit Card Controls?
It’s quick and easy – and free! Just follow these steps:
Log in to the Summit mobile banking app (available as a free download at the App Store or Google Play, if you don’t already have it.)
In your Summit mobile banking menu, select “Debit Card Controls.”
This first time you select "Debit Card Controls," you’ll automatically be taken to your device’s app store to download the free SCU Debit Card Controls.
Once you download the app, you’ll be prompted to create a username and password for SCU Debit Card Controls.
During your signup, a one-time password (OTP) will be sent to verify your identity to the email address we have on file for you. Note that if we don’t have an email or phone number for you, you won’t receive an OTP.
You’ll also be prompted to set up your biometrics (fingerprint or facial recognition used for authorizing purchases or other authentication.)
From now on, you’ll be able to access the SCU Debit Card Controls app from the Summit mobile app.
Just select “Debit Card Controls” in your Summit mobile banking menu whenever you want to access your Debit Card Controls feature.
Note that you’ll be able to skip entering your username and password on future access as long as you’ve set up your biometrics, based on your device settings.
The first time you use the app, you’ll manually add your debit card information – and then, you can start setting up and using controls for your card! You can also load your card into your digital wallet for fast, easy payments using your phone.
Am I required to use Summit’s Debit Card Controls?
Summit’s Debit Card Controls are totally optional but it’s a great way to make managing and controlling your Summit debit card easier. And it’s flexible for your needs! You can set up controls or alerts (or both) and customize them based on what works best for you – even changing your settings from card to card if you have multiple Summit debit card accounts.
What’s the difference between a control and an alert?
Setting a control means you’re actually denying transactions based on certain guidelines you set – like the location or amount of the transaction. Setting an alert, on the other hand, lets you know that a transaction has already been done or attempted, based on your guidelines. You’ll have both options in Summit’s Debit Card Controls, which you can customize individually by debit card.
What type of controls and alerts can I set/receive?
Choose from a variety of options for your needs, including controls and alerts related to:
Spending Limits – Based on a maximum dollar amount (which you can set per transaction).
Suspend Your Card – Easily turn your card “on” to allow purchases or “suspend” to block activity.
International transactions – A transaction is made with the card present internationally.
Do I still need to let Summit know of my travel plans even if I set a control or alert in Summit’s Debit Card Controls?
Yes! To enter a travel note for us, simply go to the Debit Card Controls app, select "Travel Notices" and entire your travel information. Or you can always call us with your travel plans instead at 800-236-5560. While card controls can help manage your spending, you’ll still need to alert Summit of any travel plans – outside or inside the U.S. That way, we’ll know that purchases where you’re traveling aren’t considered suspicious and shouldn’t be blocked for your security.
How does the “Spending Limits” control and alert work?
Use the “Spending Limits” option if you want to restrict your Summit debit card transactions based on a specific dollar amount. You can set a maximum dollar amount per transaction. You can also opt to get an alert when a transaction amount goes over your set dollar amount.
How does the “Suspend Card” control work?
Use the “Suspend Card” control if you want to restrict purchases. You can easily turn your card on or suspend it with a single touch, and you can turn it on for even a short time – like when you’re out shopping for an afternoon. Suspending your card off is also a fast, easy way to prevent unauthorized purchases if your card is lost or stolen. Changes to your card status show up instantly on the app.
How long can I leave my Summit debit card “off”?
You can turn your Summit debit cards off and leave them that way for as long as you’d like. And when you’re ready to buy something with your Summit debit card, it’s quick and easy to turn your card back on (and then off again, if you wish). Note that when your Summit debit card is turned off, card transactions are denied by any controls you’ve set, but alerts are still generated for attempted transactions.
What if I have my card turned “off” and a recurring bill wants to charge my card? Will that transaction be denied?
A recurring automated payment you’ve set up to be taken from your Summit debit card (for example, a monthly utility bill) would still go through, based on your available debit limit. This is because auto-pay transactions and credits (like deposits, returns and reversals) are exempt from controls or alerts you set, including turning off your card.
Can I activate my card?
Yes, you can activate your debit card and set or change your PIN from the Debit Card Controls app.
Can my debit card get added to my digital wallet right from the app?
Yes, this is called “Link Card”. Simply put, it means that instead of manually entering your card details into your digital wallet, like Apple Pay or Google Wallet, the Summit Debit Card Controls app can “push” it for you into the digital wallet on your device. This gives you immediate access to "tap to pay" for transactions!
What if a “One-Time Override” pops up on my mobile device?
A one-time override pops up on your primary device any time a purchase is attempted while your card is “off” – which gives you an opportunity to approve and retry the purchase if you simply forgot your card wasn’t on. You’ll see the transaction location and amount and be prompted to “Authorize” the purchase if you’d like to go forward with it (note that fingerprint or facial recognition must be turned on in the app). Important heads up – the purchase authorization doesn’t automatically complete the purchase for you. Follow the directions on your screen to manually retry your purchase, which you’d need to do within 10 minutes of your authorization.
Will Summit’s Debit Card Controls work outside the U.S.?
As long as your mobile device has an internet connection, you can use Summit’s Debit Card Controls anywhere. Note that while card controls can help manage your spending, you’ll still need to alert Summit of any travel plans – outside or inside the U.S. – for fraud detection purposes.
How many Summit debit cards can I set up on Summit’s Debit Card Controls?
There’s no limit. If you have multiple Summit debit cards, you’ll see all of them in your Debit Card Controls and be able to customize each card with the controls and/or alerts of your choice.
Do I have to be logged into the app to see my notifications?
Nope! As long as you’ve allowed the app permission to notify you, you’ll see notifications as “push notifications” – or messages from the app that automatically show up on your mobile device, text messages or emails. You decide how to receive them.
Will Summit’s Debit Card Controls “time out” and log me off after a certain amount of time?
Yes, to protect the security of your information, the Summit mobile banking app (where you access your Summit Debit Card Controls) will log you out after five minutes of inactivity.
Who can I call if I have questions or need help with Summit’s Debit Card Controls?
We’re happy to help with anything you need! Give us a call at 800-236-5560.
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