What is Visa Debit?

A Visa Debit card works like an ATM or cash card, only better. You can use your Visa Debit card like a traditional ATM card to withdraw money from your bank account, but you can also make purchases at merchants – in-store, online, overseas, and over the phone – with the amount deducted directly from your bank account.

 

How can I get a Visa Debit card?

If you have a bank account or plan to open one, ask your bank to give you a Visa Debit card as most major banks in the Philippines offer a Visa Debit Card.

 

Can I get a Visa Debit card even if I don’t qualify for credit?

Yes. You do not need to qualify for credit to receive a Visa Debit card. All you need is an eligible savings or checking account. The funds are deducted directly from your savings or checking account and not borrowed.

 

How do I pay with Visa Debit?

Visa Debit card transactions can be completed in a number of ways: sign your receipt; place an order online or by phone or mail; enter a personal identification number (PIN); or simply swipe or dip your card at select merchants that do not require your signature. Some Debit cards may come equipped with Visa payWave. Look for merchants that show the Visa payWave logo or the wave identifier (insert wave here) to tap and go for faster payment experience. Visa payWave transactions don’t need a PIN or signature for transactions amounting to less than PHP 2,000.

 

Where can I use my Visa Debit?

Visa Debit is accepted everywhere Visa is – in-store, online, overseas, over the phone, and at ATMs – at millions of locations worldwide.

 

What are the benefits to using Visa Debit?

• Saves Time – You can skip your trips to the ATM, and you can also leave your checkbook at home. Just simply use your Visa Debit card everywhere Visa is accepted, and you can either sign for purchases or use a PIN – the choice is yours.
• Better Security – Visa monitors your account 24 hours a day to help prevent, detect, and resolve fraud on your Visa Debit card.
• Better Money Management – Your Visa Debit transactions are automatically deducted from your bank account, so you can access your up-to-date balance on your bank’s website or by phone. Your bank statement provides full details of your purchases, including merchant name, location, date, and amount.

 

What are the ways I can use Visa Debit?

1. In-store: You can use your Visa Debit card at all stores where Visa is accepted.
2. Online: You can use your Visa Debit card at all online stores where Visa is accepted.
3. Overseas: You can bring your Visa Debit card overseas and use it to get cash at the ATM machine or at stores and restaurants that accept Visa.
4. Over the phone: You can use your Visa Debit card to make purchases over the phone at stores where Visa is accepted.
5. At ATMs: You can still use your Visa Debit card like a traditional ATM card to withdraw money from your bank account.

 

Can I pay my bills with Visa Debit?

Yes, using your Visa Debit card is a fast and easy way to pay your bills. You save time and avoid the hassle of writing checks, missing payments and late fees. You can pay for mobile and cable/satellite TV services, insurance, and even set up recurring payments. Plus, you get all the benefits Visa Debit provides, including greater convenience, enhanced security, and easier record keeping.

 

What security features does my Visa Debit have?

When your Visa Debit transaction is processed through the Visa network, you’ll enjoy all the protection of a Visa transaction, which includes:

• Continuous fraud monitoring to detect suspicious activity.
• A 3-digit security code to verify your identity for Internet and phone purchases
• If you notice fraudulent activity on your Visa Debit card, promptly contact your bank. It is important to check your monthly statement for any unauthorized transactions.

 

How can I ensure that I’m protected?

Just sign the receipt when you use your Visa Debit card. After you swipe your card, sign the receipt or enter your PIN as applicable.

 

I tried using my Visa Debit before in a store and it got declined. What should I do?

• Check to make sure that you have sufficient funds in your bank account associated with your Visa Debit – this is the most common reason for a debit card to get declined.
• Check to make sure that your card is activated and not expired. Please note that newly approved or recently replaced Visa Debit cards will need to be activated before usage. If your card has gone past the expiration date listed on the front, you won’t be able to make purchases.
• To find out why your Visa Debit was declined and to ensure you can use it again in the future, please contact your issuing bank for more information.

 

I tried using my Visa Debit before online and it got declined. What should I do?

• Check to make sure that you have sufficient funds in your bank account associated with your Visa Debit – this is the most common reason for a debit card to get declined.
• Ensure that you have entered in the correct purchase information on the website – even one wrong digit in your card number, expiration date, CVV number, or billing address is enough to get your purchase declined.
• To find out why your Visa Debit was declined and to ensure you can use it again in the future, please contact your issuing bank for more information.

 

What else can I do to protect myself from fraud losses?

• If your card is lost or stolen, contact your bank immediately. This reduces your liability if fraud losses have occurred.
• Also do not lend your card to anyone, and please secure your card details as this information can be used to transact through the terminal or online without your consent and knowledge.

 

How can I use my Visa Debit card as a money management tool?

With Visa Debit, payments are deducted directly from your bank account. Visa Debit card transactions are typically posted within 24 hours of your purchase, which is faster than when writing a check. You can access your up-to-date balance on your issuers' website or by phone. You also receive a monthly statement with all the details of your purchases, including merchant name, location, date and amount, so it's easy to see where your money goes. Most banks also show the transaction history via their online banking facility that can be accessed via their website or mobile app as applicable.

 

What are Visa EMV chip cards?

Chip cards are regular plastic credit or debit cards with an embedded microchip. The chip protects in-store payments because it generates a unique, one-time code that is needed for each transaction to be approved. It is virtually impossible for fraudsters to replicate this feature in counterfeit cards providing greater security and peace of mind when used in-store.

 

Are Visa chip cards more secure?

Yes – chip cards can do the same things as magnetic stripe cards, with added security features:

• Computer Microchip – a computer chip securely stores the card data that currently resides on the magnetic stripe.
• Unique Cryptogram – the computer chip enables more secure processing by producing a one-time use code for each transaction.
• Difficult to Counterfeit – because EMV chip cards use cryptograms that are unique to each transaction, stolen chip card data cannot be used to create counterfeit cards.
• Less Risk of Fraud – the added layer of security provided by EMV chips makes card data much less valuable, decreasing incentive for fraudsters to steal data.

 

How do I use my Visa chip card?

1. Insert Card – instead of swiping, you’ll insert or dip the card into the terminal, chip first, face up.
2. Leave the Card in the Terminal – keep your card in the terminal to complete your purchase until the terminal prompts you to remove the card.
3. Sign the Receipt or Enter a PIN – either sign the receipt or enter your PIN to complete the transaction.
4. Remove Your Card – when the purchase is complete, remember to take your card with you.

 

Where can I use my Visa chip card?

You can use your chip card anywhere Visa is accepted because it also has a magnetic stripe. At merchants that do not yet have chip readers, you can still swipe your chip-enabled card using the magnetic stripe on the back of the card. You can use your chip card at ATMs and for payment over-the-phone or online just like you always have. Travel will also be even easier in more than 130 countries where chip cards are already used.

 

Can I use a chip card at a merchant that hasn’t yet updated their terminal?

Of course, just swipe your card using the magnetic stripe the way you always have – each EMV Chip card still has a magnetic stripe on the back.

 

Can I still use my chip card over the phone or online?

Absolutely. Your card will work over the phone and online.

 

Can I still use my chip card overseas?

Yes – Visa chip cards can be used worldwide in over 130 countries. There are over 37 million chip terminals active worldwide, ensuring you can use your card conveniently whenever you travel.