Thanks for adding Samsung Pay^®

Per your request, your Gulf Coast Educators FCU Visa card has been added to Samsung Pay^®. Now, when you are paying for a transaction in-store, you can pay using your supported Samsung device.

How to Pay
Samsung Pay makes transactions easy. Just swipe up to launch the app, secure with authentication (either your fingerprint or passcode) and hover over the card reader to pay.

And it’s safe – your purchases remain yours alone. Samsung Pay keeps your payment information separate and doesn’t store or share it, so you can pay without worry.

Where to Pay
To learn more about using your GCEFCU card in Samsung Pay, and to view the list of merchants where Samsung Pay is accepted, please visit samsung.com/samsung-pay.

If you did not add your card to Samsung Pay, please contact us at 281-487-9333 or info@gcefcu.org.

The state of Texas, through escheat laws, mandates that financial institutions surrender inactive accounts over to the State Treasury. Inactive accounts are accounts that have had no activity as of March 1st for the last 3 years (dividends do not count as transactions).  The state requires that we close the account and send the funds to the Unclaimed Property Division of the Texas State Comptroller’s office in June. The credit union reviews dormant accounts annually. Accounts without any activity are assessed a $5 inactivity fee each year they are inactive. Before closing the accounts and submitting funds to the state, the credit union mails notices to the members. Please make sure if you receive a notice you contact us or make a transaction on your account. Once the funds are sent to the state, you will need to contact the state directly for the proceeds.

You can check online to see if you have unclaimed property with the Texas State Comptroller at http://www.window.state.tx.us/up or contact by phone at 1-800-321-2274.

We are updating the cell phone numbers we have on record for our members because of the introduction of two new services.

• We have added a text based fraud alert system to our debit and credit cards. In the case of suspected fraudulent transactions on cards, you have the option to receive text notifications. In order to be able to opt into this service, we will need to have your cell phone in our system. Once we update our system, members with a valid debit or credit card will receive a text from us to opt into this service.
• Text messages have become one of the most common ways for people to communicate. Members can send text messages to communicate with the credit union at our main number: 281-487-9333. By having your cell number on file, the credit union will be able to quickly verify the identity of members who choose to communicate with us via text.

The average American uses 749 pounds of paper per year.

What do people do with their paper statements anyway? Judging by the number of calls we get asking about shred days, they save them up to bring back to us to shred and many times they weren’t even opened. Seems like a waste of paper doesn’t it?

The credit union keeps two years of statements in PDF format in our online banking system. Signing up for E-Statements is not only an environmentally friendly thing to do, but it is also a deterrent to identity thieves who love to get their hands on statements either through the mail or in the trash.

To sign up for E-Statements, log into the digital banking system and select EDOCUMENTS and subscribe.

Your Intuit products will need to be updated as a part of our digital banking conversion. The current BID 64536 [Gulf Coast Educators FCU TX] & 64539 [Gulf Coast Educators FCU_DC TX] will be disconnected on 1/29/2019.

This page will serve as a resource for our members who use these services. We will post more information to this page as it becomes available. Please download the appropriate guide below to assist you with this transition.

IMPORTANT   *This applies to the red instruction templates above*

Intuit aggregation services (Express Web Connect) will be interrupted for up to 3-5 business days. Intuit product users are encouraged to download a QFX/QBO file during this outage. The following services will not work during the outage:

• Quicken Win/Mac Express Web Connect
• QuickBooks Online (QBO)
• Mint (Please instruct users to not open Mint for 3-5 business days after the conversion to ensure the Mint product is properly updated. No additional action should be required.)

3 most common issues members may encounter after go live

Issue 1:

Duplicate transactions after completing reactivation

The most common remark will be that there are duplicate transactions. Some members may say their register is out of balance or that they are being asked to add an adjustment during reconciliation.

Specific steps/recommendations based on products are below:

Quicken

Note: There is a preference that is available in Quicken for Windows, “Automatically add downloaded transactions to register”. If this preference is enabled, then members will have to delete the transactions in the register.

• If the transactions have not been accepted to the register, they can be deleted one be one prior to accepting.
• If the transactions have already been accepted to the register, they can be deleted one by one, or multiple transactions can be deleted at one time.   If there are too many transactions to delete, or the steps to delete multiple transactions is difficult for the customer; restore a backup file. (Important: If the backup was not made right before following the conversion instructions, do not restore one and manually delete the transactions.)

Instructions:

1. How to Edit and Delete Downloaded Investment Transactions  Click Here for Detailed Instructions
2. How do I void or delete a transaction in my account register? Click Here for Detailed Instructions
3. I have duplicate transactions in my account register Click Here for Detailed Instructions

QuickBooks

• If the transactions have not been accepted to the register, they can be deleted one be one prior to accepting
• If the transactions have already been accepted to the register, restore a backup file and repeat the reactivation steps

Instructions:

1. Remove/delete downloaded transactions that do not match the register in the Online Banking Center – Click Here for Detailed Instructions

Issue 2:

Duplicate accounts after completing reactivation

The most common remark will be that that the member was unable to link to their existing account and was only given the choice to add a new account.

Specific steps/recommendations based on products are below:

Quicken

• First, confirm all accounts have been deactivated including hidden (Quicken)
• If they are, delete the duplicate account from the account list, and then repeat the reactivation steps

Instructions:

1. Prompted to Create New Account Instead of Using Existing Account for Online Services

Note: if you have not added the account, follow this article – Click Here for Detailed Instructions

2. How to Hide an Account

Note: Follow steps to unhide –  Click Here for Detailed Instructions

3. Follow the deactivation steps to deactivate the mistakenly added account and any active account held with this financial institution (Instructions provided by your Financial Institution)

4. How to Delete an Account

Note: If you have added the account, follow this article – Click Here for Detailed Instructions

5. Follow through the reactivation steps provided by the financial institution

QuickBooks:

• First, confirm all accounts have been deactivated including inactive (QuickBooks) accounts
• If they are remove/delete downloaded transactions that do not match the register in the Online Banking Center from the incorrect account
• Repeat the reactivation steps

Instructions:

1. Show hidden (inactive) entries in a list – Click Here for Detailed Instructions

2. Remove/delete downloaded transactions that do not match the register in the Online BankingCenter

Note:

• This should be done for the account that was mistakenly added
• This step must be followed to attempt to delete the account or ensure that these transactions are not included in any reporting  – Click Here for Detailed Instructions

3.  Follow the deactivation steps to deactivate the mistakenly added account and any active account held with this financial institution (Instructions provided by your Financial Institution)

4. Hide an account (or subaccount)

Note: this should be done for the account that was mistakenly added. – Click Here for Detailed Instructions

5. Follow through the reactivation steps provided by the financial institution

Issue 3:

Activated the incorrect account during reactivation process

The most common remark will be that that the member states the transactions are downloading into the incorrect account.

Specific steps/recommendations based on products are below:

Quicken

Open the account register for the account that was linked incorrectly.

• If the transactions have not been accepted to the register, they can be deleted one by one prior to accepting. After deleting the downloaded transactions, deactivate the account then repeat the reactivation steps.
• If the transactions have already been accepted to the register, restore a backup file. Ensure the member selects the correct account to link to, when reactivating the account within the restored backup.

1. Transactions Go Into the Wrong Account after Downloading Them  – Click Here for Detailed Instructions

QuickBooks

Open the account register for the account that was linked incorrectly.

Instructions:

• If the transactions have not been accepted to the register, they can be deleted one by one prior to accepting. After deleting the downloaded transactions, deactivate the account then repeat the reactivation steps.
• If the transactions have already been accepted to the register, restore a backup file. Ensure the member selects the correct account to link to, when reactivating the account within the restored backup.

1. Remove/delete downloaded transactions that do not match the register in the Online Banking Center – Click Here for Detailed Instructions

2. Follow through the deactivation/reactivate instructions provided by your financial institution.

What you need to know about EMV (Chip Cards)

EMV or chip cards contain a computer chip that will make duplicating cards increasingly difficult. The chip actually sends a unique code for each transaction where the card is present for the transaction. This technology has been available for many years in Europe and the rest of the world. The technology has been slow to come to the US because we are the largest and most complex payment market in the world.

What is the October 1 deadline?

The October 1, 2015 deadline that is being discussed in the media was set by Visa and MasterCard for the date where credit card issuers and merchants should have EMV capable cards and merchant terminals. This deadline represents a shift in liability for fraudulent transactions to the party who does not have a EMV capability in instances where the card is present for a transaction. So for example, if a card has the chip and the merchant does not and the card is used fraudulently, then the merchant become liable for the transaction. In the past, the liability was always passed on to the card issuer. The card holder still has no liability for fraudulent transactions same as before the deadline.

How does paying with an EMV card work?

If you have an EMV card and you are paying at an EMV capable terminal, a big change will be that you leave your card in the terminal for the entire transaction. Once the transaction is complete, you will have to remember to remove your card.

What is your credit union’s plan?

We have two separate EMV projects going on. The first is for our new credit cards which we hope to make available to members before the end of the year. To learn more about our new credit cards, click here. The second project is for our debit cards. We are working with our processor on adding the EMV capability to our debit cards. For both card types, we will continue to print them in our offices. Once our debit card project is complete, all newly issued debit cards will have the EMV chip. Members will begin to receive EMV debit cards at renewal of their current debit cards.

EMV Highlights

• All cards issued with EMV will also have the magnetic strip on the back of the card for the foreseeable future.
• EMV only applies to transactions where the card is present so online transactions will not use the EMV technology.
• Card holders continue to have no liability in the event of fraud with the only liability shift taking place between card issuers and merchants.
• Only the largest retail merchants such as Target and Walmart have EMV enabled payment terminals. Most smaller merchants do not have the EMV terminals yet.

“I’ve been a member for more than 15 years and I really enjoy getting my payroll check deposited into my account early.” – Irasema Padron

What this means to you?
If you have your direct deposit going to another financial institution, then you are likely waiting to receive your payroll direct deposit at least one day longer than if you had your direct deposit sent to a Gulf Coast Educators checking or savings account. You work hard for your money so why not get it sooner?

What you can do?
Contact your employer or benefit provider and let them know you want to change your direct deposit to your Gulf Coast Educators account. You will need your five or six digit member/account number and the credit union’s routing or ABA number which is 313087286.

If you would like to open a checking account to have your direct deposit sent to, give us a call at 281-487-9333 and we can assist you with that and send the documents for you to sign via e-mail.

Not signed up with Direct Deposit?

Not a problem. You can make the switch in no time at all with our Member Switch Kit. We try to make doing business with us as easy as possible. Click the button below to get started.

Direct Deposit Case Study

Clear Creek ISD Direct Deposits to GCEFCU in 2015

Average number of days direct deposit is received before actual pay date for CCISD: 2.93

Alvin ISD Direct Deposits to GCEFCU in 2015

Average number of days direct deposit is received before actual pay date for AISD: 2.80

Pearland ISD Direct Deposits to GCEFCU in 2015

Average number of days direct deposit is received before actual pay date for PISD: 1.71

Based on actual member account data. Actual results per employer will vary and the credit union can’t guarantee early arrival of direct deposits.

Your GCEFCU debit card has been added to Apple Pay™

Now, whether you are paying in a store or within apps, you can pay with just a touch of your finger on your supported Apple^® device.

How to Pay
To pay, just hold your iPhone^® 6 near the contactless reader with your finger on Touch ID. You don’t even have to look at the screen to know your payment information was successfully sent. A subtle vibration and beep let you know. In apps, tap the “Buy with Apple Pay” button, verify your information, and then place your finger on Touch ID to complete the purchase.

Where to Pay
You can pay anywhere Apple Pay contactless payments are accepted. You can also make purchases within participating apps on iPhone 6, iPad Air^TM 2 and iPad mini^TM 3 with more stores and apps to come.

Look for one of these symbols at checkout.

Sincerely,

Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union

Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Apple Pay and Touch ID are trademarks of Apple Inc.

Health Savings Account (HSA) Administration for School Districts

Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union offers members of the credit union HSAs in response to the increase in popularity of High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) offered by school districts in our service area (TRS Active Care). Our Health Savings Accounts have some distinct advantages to our members:

• The ability to make additional deposits in person, by mail or online, including same day deposits
• No monthly service charges
• Instantly issued Visa debit card
• Earns dividends
• Local, trusted employees to support HSA holders

In addition to saving school district employees money with our HSA offering, we offer our HSAs to school districts in Texas to offer to their employees with qualifying HDHPs free of account fees. The credit union will administer a school district HSA program at no charge to the district. Our offer includes:

• No per user charge to district
• No set up fee
• No prefunding accounts like Flex Spending Accounts
• District can send pre-tax or post-tax funds via direct deposit or payroll deduction
• HSAs can be opened electronically or on site
• Co-branded debit card
• Presentations on benefits of Health Savings Accounts to district employees

If your school district would like more information on our HSA Administration Program, please fill out the contact form below and we will contact you shortly.