Card Controls

Managed through Online Banking or our mobile app, easily monitor spending and reduce fraud.

The power to determine when, where, and how your debit card is used.

  • Turn your card on/off with a tap
  • Lock/unlock your card by transaction type
  • Place ATM withdrawal and purchase limits to manage your budget

Don’t recognize the foreign purchase in your transaction history? Misplace your GECU debit card? No worries – you’re covered with the click of a button. Take control over these scenarios and more with the following features:

  • Turn your card On/Off to temporarily deactivate your card for instant peace of mind. When your card is turned Off, it can’t be used to make purchases or withdraw cash. This is a great option if your debit card has been misplaced, stolen, or is simply not being used. Flip the switch back On when you’re ready to start using the card again.
  • Set spend limits to prevent charges over a specified dollar amount. This is perfect if you’re trying to rein in spending or have children with a debit card on your account.
  • Block international purchases to limit your debit card to U.S. transactions only and instantly lift those restrictions when traveling or shopping abroad.
  • Customize where you can shop to control the use of your debit card by merchant types such as: gas stations, grocery stores, department stores, restaurants, entertainment, and more.
  • Customize how you shop by enabling or disabling purchases by transaction type, such as payments made online or by phone.
  • Set up alerts to get real-time notifications about your debit card activity via: text, email, and push notifications.

Get started

Take control of your debit card in our mobile app and in Online Banking.

Within Online Banking:

  • Hover over Additional Services and select Card Controls.

In our mobile app:

  • Tap More at the bottom of the screen and select Card Controls.

Frequently Asked Questions

With your GECU Visa debit card, you can set up your preferences by logging in to Online Banking or our mobile app.

From the main screen in Card Controls, tap on the toggle switch to turn your debit card ON or OFF. You will receive a confirmation message once your card has been turned off or back on again.

NOTE: This will not decline any scheduled, recurring payments you have setup.

The changes made in Card Controls are effective instantly!

Yes! From the main Card Controls screen, select the debit card from a list of cards available for your GECU account(s).

No, your recurring transactions will not be blocked. They will continue to be processed even when your card is turned off.

You can set preferences by: Merchant Type, Transaction Type, and Spend Limits. From there, specify if you want an alert or want to decline transactions from various categories of merchants, transactions, or dollar amounts. You may also restrict your card from international use under Location Type.

  • Online Banking: From the main screen, hover over Additional Services, click on Card Controls, and click the Set Declines and Alerts button.
  • Mobile App: From the main screen, tap on Set Declines and Alerts.

Yes! You can set blocks for specific spending categories such as: restaurants, travel, grocery, and other types of merchants.

  • Online Banking: From the main screen, hover over Additional Services, click on Card Controls, and click the Set Declines and Alerts button, then select Merchant Type.
  • Mobile App: Select the Set Declines and Alerts button, then select Merchant Type.

Yes! You can set blocks for specific spending categories such as: ATM, online, mail/phone order, and other types of transactions.

  • Online Banking: From the main screen, hover over Additional Services, click on Card Controls, and click the Set Declines and Alerts button, then select Transaction Type.
  • Mobile App: Select the Set Declines and Alerts button, then select Transaction Type.

Yes! You can set to decline or alert you for transactions over specified amounts.

  • Online Banking: From the main screen, hover over Additional Services, click on Card Controls, and click the Set Declines and Alerts button, then select Spend Limits.
  • Mobile App: Select the Set Declines and Alerts button, then select Spend Limits.
  • Online Banking: From the main screen, hover over Additional Services, click on Card Controls, and click the Alert Delivery Options. From there you can use the toggle to have the alerts turned on or off.
  • Mobile App: From the main Card Controls screen, select Alert Delivery Options. From there you can use the toggle to have the alerts turned on or off.

During a transaction, you will instantly receive alerts via: email, text, and/or push notification.

No, travel notifications can’t be submitted via Card Controls at this time. Please complete the Travel Notification Form before you travel, so your debit card activity is not potentially flagged as fraud.

In Card Controls, turn off each alert in the individual menus for: Merchant Type, Transaction Type, Location Type, and Spend Limits.

No, this service is completely free! If you choose to receive text alerts through Card Controls, your carrier’s messaging and data rates may apply.

You must enroll in Online Banking or download our mobile app to use Card Controls.

Once you open a GECU checking account with a debit card, you will be able to start setting up Card Controls within one (1) calendar day from the time of account opening.

At this time, Card Controls is available only for your GECU Visa debit card.

General Electric Credit Union is a full-service financial institution headquartered in Cincinnati with branches in Ohio and Kentucky.

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