U. S. Postal Service Federal Credit Union’s Virtual Branch Internet
Access Service Agreement and Disclosure
This Internet Access Service Agreement and Disclosure (“Agreement”)
contains terms and conditions governing U. S. Postal Service Federal
Credit Union’s Online Internet Account Access service (also called
“Virtual Branch”). You understand that by using one of the services
available through USPS FCU’s Virtual Branch, you agree to the terms and
conditions applicable to that service as set forth in this Agreement.
Please keep a copy of this Agreement for your records. If you are
unable to print a copy or need assistance, please contact the credit
union.
This Agreement is in addition to the other terms and conditions
previously disclosed to you concerning your account(s) with U. S.
Postal Service Federal Credit Union.
As described more fully in this Agreement USPS FCU Virtual Branch is an
Internet-based service that permits you, through the use of a personal
computer or Internet-enabled device, to:
(1) Obtain balance and recent transaction information on your share and
loan accounts with USPS FCU.
(2) Transfer funds between certain accounts linked to your membership
number and within your own account.
(3) Download account information to personal financial management
software.
(4) Request a Stop Payment on a check(s) written from your Share Draft
account that has not been presented to USPS FCU for payment.
(5) Reorder Share Drafts, if the last order was placed by the credit
union.
(6) Access copies of your member statements (when available)
(7) Open a Sub-Account (share certificate)
(8) Change your Password Online
(9) Pay Bills Online
(10) Set up Automated Distributions
(11) Request a check to be withdrawn from your account to be sent
through the mail by USPS FCU.
(12) Set up overdraft options............. and more
1. DEFINITIONS
In this Agreement, the following words have the meanings given below:
“You” and “Your” mean each person who enrolls with U. S. Postal Service
Federal Credit Union for USPS FCU Virtual Branch, authorized users and
all account owners if the accounts are joint accounts, jointly and
severally.
“User ID” means your membership account number that was given to you by
USPS FCU after account opening. Your membership account number is your
User ID to access USPS FCU’s Virtual Branch.
“We”, “us”, “our”, or “USPS FCU” refer to U. S. Postal Service Federal
Credit Union.
“Service(s)” means the account transfer, inquiry and sub-account
request, which are available to you through USPS FCU’s Virtual Branch.
“Account” and “Accounts” mean those Share Draft Checking and Share
Savings Accounts from which you may make withdrawals and transfers
through the Service.
“Transaction” means electronic funds transfer (EFT) to or from your
account conducted through the Service. “Business Days” means Monday
through Friday, excluding Federal Holidays.
2. GENERAL TERMS
a. Enrollment:
You must be a member of USPS FCU in “good standing”, and must complete
an application in order to use USPS FCU Virtual Branch. The application
form with an original signature must be returned to us before you can
start using USPS FCU’s Virtual Branch.
b. Computer Requirements:
You are required to acquire and maintain, at your own expense, access
to the Internet and an Internet browser with sufficient security and
encryption capacities as required from time to time. You are
responsible for the maintenance of your personal computer or other
Internet – enabled device, the purchase and use of virus protection
software and for obtaining technical support from the manufacturer for
your personal computer, Internet browser, software and other auxiliary
devices (such as a printer). Support from USPS FCU is limited to
assistance on the use of USPS FCU Virtual Branch and questions
regarding transactions processed on your account.
You represent that you have considered the security procedures of USPS
FCU’s Virtual Branch and find that the security procedures are
commercially reasonable for verifying that a request or other
communications purporting to have been issued by you is, in fact,
yours. In reaching this determination, you have considered (and will
continue to monitor and consider) the size, type and frequency of
requests and other communications that you anticipate issuing to us.
c. Use of e-Alert and other Electronic Communications:
You agree that we may provide this Agreement, amendments to this
Agreement, and other communications electronically in a format that
allows visual text to be displayed on your personal computer or other
electronic equipment. You agree to review these communications when a
link for such items is provided or when an e-Alert message is sent to
you.
d. Password:
You will choose your own Password when you access Virtual Branch for
the first time. One Password will be chosen for each membership number
and all accounts under that membership number may be accessed by that
Password. If access is requested for more than one membership number, a
separate Password will be have to be chosen for each membership number
that applied for the service. You acknowledge that if there is more
than one owner of your account, all owners on your account are
authorized to process transactions through USPS FCU’s Virtual Branch
using one Password.
The Password is separate from other passwords, which give you access to
your account using other devices; this gives you added protection in
the event that one or more of your other Passwords is compromised.
No employee of USPS FCU will have access to, or knowledge of your
Password, and you should not disclose your Password to us.
You agree to change your Password to prevent unauthorized access to
your account.
You will hold in strict confidence your Password and you will NOT
select a Password that may be easily discovered (such as your birth
date).
You agree that you will NOT write down your Password. This action
invites misuse of accounts if such items are lost or stolen. YOU should
protect your Password, as you would cash, credit cards or checks – it
is the “key” with which someone can access your accounts.
e. Transactions and Authority to Charge Account:
Access to your accounts to process Transactions may be made through
USPS FCU’s Virtual Branch. You authorize us to charge or deduct from
your account any Transactions completed through the use of the
Services, including the amount of any transfer that you make and any
charges for the Services. You authorize us to process Transactions
according to the instructions received through the Services.
You understand that by making transfers through the Services, we rely
on the account and other identifying numbers you supply. In addition,
you understand that Transactions will be made according to those
account and other identifying numbers (and a deduction from your
account will be made), even if such numbers do not match the
beneficiary or account you intended to pay or transfer funds to. You
authorize us to initiate any reversing entry or reversing file and to
debit your accounts with us or elsewhere, in order to correct a
mistaken credit entry.
If, by mistake, the use of your Password permits you to withdraw funds
from an account that you should not be allowed to use in such a manner,
we may charge the amount involved to a valid account owned by you. You
agree not to conduct Transactions that would overdraw any account. If
you do so, then you owe us the amount immediately, plus any applicable
service charge. We may also deduct, without prior notification to you,
the amount you owe from any of your accounts, or, if you have an
overdraft protection loan account, the overdrawn amount will be
considered as a request for a loan advance, at our discretion.
f. Collection Expenses:
You are liable to us for any loss, cost or expense we incur resulting
from your failure to follow this Agreement. You authorize us to deduct
any such loss, costs or expenses from your account without prior notice
to you. If we bring legal action to collect any amount due or to
enforce this Agreement, we shall be entitled, subject to applicable
law, to payment of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, including fees
on any appeal, bankruptcy proceedings, and any post judgment collection
actions.
g. Reporting a Lost Password or Other Unauthorized Transaction:
If you believe that your Password has been lost, stolen, or used by an
unauthorized person or that someone has transferred or may transfer
funds from your account without your permission, you will tell us at
once.
The fastest way to notify us is to call (800) 877-7328 to speak with a
Credit Union Representative during business hours on any Business Day.
Business Days are Monday – Friday, excluding federal holidays. Check
with your branch for specific Member Service hours. Or, you may write
to us at:
U. S. Postal Service Federal Credit Union 7905 Malcolm Rd. Suite 311
Clinton, MD 20735
If you recover your Password after you have notified us, you will not
use it unless we tell you otherwise.
h. Responsibility:
You are responsible for all Transactions made on your accounts by
anyone with your Password, including unauthorized Transactions, subject
to the limitations set by applicable law. Legal limitations on your
liability for unauthorized Transactions are summarized in Section 4(a)
below. You agree to hold us harmless for any and all Transactions you
authorize (either in writing or by your words or conduct) on your
account. We have no obligation to monitor the use of your Password or
notify you if unusual activity occurs.
i. Termination and Amendment:
We may terminate or cancel your right to make Transactions or cancel
this Agreement with you at any time. We may give notice of termination
or cancellation, but we are not obligated to do so. If you close your
account, your accounts become overdrawn or if you lose your “member in
good standing” status, the credit union may cancel this Agreement
immediately.
Failure to use the Service for a consecutive period of 90 days will
result in automatic termination of your access to the Service and you
must re-enroll to use the Service by contacting us. Your Password may
not be used after we terminate it. You may terminate or cancel your
access to USPS FCU’s Virtual Branch by giving us written notice
specifying that you wish to terminate. Termination of the Service by
one account owner terminates access for all account owners. Your
written notice of termination will become effective no later than two
Business Days after we receive your notice. Any termination will NOT
affect any liability incurred by you prior to termination.
We may change the terms under this part at any time by electronically
transmitting or mailing a copy of the changes to your most recent
account address on file. Unless we are required to give you advance
notice by law, changes are effective on the date changes are mailed or
transmitted, unless a later time is stated in the notice. Use of your
Password after the effective date of the change will acknowledge your
acceptance of that change.
j. System Malfunction:
You will not attempt to make a Transaction when USPS FCU’s Virtual
Branch informs you (or other circumstances give you reason to believe)
that the system is closed or is not operating properly due to a
technical malfunction, or is unable to initiate the Transaction you
desired.
k. Agreement Controls:
Both you and we will be bound by the terms of this Agreement. The
instructions given by USPS FCU Virtual Branch on how to use the
Services as well as written instructions for USPS FCU Virtual Branch
are a part of this Agreement. If there is a conflict between the terms
of this Agreement and something said by our employees, you agree that
these terms control. This agreement is governed by federal law and, to
the extent not preempted, the laws of Maryland (excluding conflicts of
law principles).
l. Circumstances in Which We will Disclose Account Information to Third
Parties.
We will disclose information to third parties about your account or
Transactions that you make:
-
When it is necessary for completing Transactions;
-
To verify the existence and condition of your account to a third
party such as a credit bureau, consumer reporting agency,
merchants, etc.;
-
In the course of making reports or returns required by federal or
state law, to comply with any government agency, court order, or
applicable law and to our supervisory agency;
-
As permitted by Maryland law, including the Right to Financial
Privacy Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act;
-
As described in the Privacy Notice we give you from time to time;
-
When you authorize us to do so.
3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this section applies to
Services available through USPS FCU Virtual Branch.
a. General Availability:
You may use the Service day or night, 7 days a week by signing on to
USPS FCU Virtual Branch and entering your membership number and
Password for the Services desired. The Services may be temporarily
unavailable for scheduled routine maintenance or technical difficulties
experienced by us or our agents.
b. Types of Transactions Available through the USPS FCU Virtual Branch
System and Limits on Transactions:
The Service, with your membership number and your Password, may be used
to make the following Transactions or requests:
-
Transfer funds between your account types, make a transfer to an
account from a Line of Credit Account, or make a transfer from your
account to make a payment on USPS FCU loans.
-
Make balance inquiries in regards to your share, certificate and
loan accounts; make inquiries concerning recent deposits,
withdrawals and payments, and view recent account statements.
-
Request a Stop Payment on check(s) written from your account that
have not been presented to us for payment in accordance with the
timing and other provisions set forth in our “Membership and
Account Agreement” brochure. This type of request is effective for
6 months.
-
Submit a request or advance on certain loans and make inquiries on
the status of a loan request submitted through USPS FCU Virtual
Branch.
-
Download transaction information from USPS FCU Virtual Branch into
personal financial management or spreadsheet software, which you
have purchased.
Except as provided in this paragraph, you may make any number of
Transactions among your accounts through Service as long as you stay
within the collected funds for the account.
For Savings and Money Market Accounts, you may make no more than six
(6) pre-authorized transfers from such an account (including transfers
made through the Service, and automatic transfers to cover check
overdrafts monthly). No more than three (3) of the six (6) may be made
(subject to availability) by check, debit card or similar order. For
security reasons, there may be other limits on the number or dollar
amount of Transactions you may make through the Service.
Transactions conducted through the Services are processed at the time
you conduct them. You may not “cancel” or “stop” a Transaction once
made.
c. Documentation and Verification of Transactions:
You will be asked to confirm a Transaction by entering your Password;
the Transaction is considered to be complete only after you have had
the opportunity to review the details of the Transaction and have
entered your Password.
Confirmation that the Transaction has been accepted will be given;
however you will not receive a reference number or transaction receipt.
You should record the information about the Transaction in the register
you keep for the account;
this will help in resolving any problems that may occur. If you have a
connected printer, you should be able to print a copy of the
confirmation supplied.
Information concerning Transactions conducted through the Service will
be shown on your periodic statements for the appropriate accounts. A
statement will be generated monthly, unless there are no Transactions
in a particular month. In any case, a statement will be generated at
least quarterly.
Refer to Section 4, concerning your duties to report errors and
questions.
d. Circumstances Under Which Transactions Cannot Be Made:
From time to time, Transactions cannot be made for one or more of the
reasons listed below.
-
Through no fault of ours, you do not have enough money available in
your account to make the Transaction,
-
The Transaction would exceed your credit limit on your Overdraft or
other Line of Credit,
-
Circumstances beyond our control (such as fire or flood) prevent
the Transaction, despite reasonable precautions we have taken,
-
The funds are subject to legal process or other encumbrance
restricting such Transaction,
-
You have not properly followed instructions for operation of the
Services,
-
The Transaction would exceed one of the established limits
contained in this Agreement,
-
Your computer or Internet-enabled device, phone lines or USPS FCU’s
Virtual Branch was not working properly or was temporarily
unavailable, and this problem was apparent or should have been
apparent to you when you attempted the Transaction,
-
If the funds in your account are not available due to compliance
with legal processes such as garnishment, tax levy, court order, as
permitted in our Account Agreement with you,
-
We have received incomplete or inaccurate information from you or a
third party involving the account or Transaction,
-
We have reasonable basis for believing that unauthorized use of
your Password or Account has occurred or may be occurring,
-
You or we have terminated or cancelled this Agreement or closed the
account,
We will NOT be liable for failing to make a Transaction to or from your
account on time or in the correct amount under any of these
circumstances.
4. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS ON UNAUTHORIZED, LIABLITY AND ERROR RESOLUTION
a. Liability for Unauthorized Transactions:
If you believe your Password is lost or stolen and tell us within two
(2) business days after you learn of the loss or theft, you can lose no
more than $50.00 if someone uses your Password without your permission.
If you DO NOT tell us within two (2) business days after you learn of
the loss or theft of your Password and we can prove that we could have
stopped someone from using your Password without your permission if you
had told us, you could lose as much as $500.00.
Also, in ALL cases, if your statement shows Transactions that you did not
make you should tell us at once as provided in Section 2 (g). If you do not
tell us within 60 days after the statement was mailed to you, you may not
get back any money you lost after the 60 days if we can prove that we could
have stopped someone from taking the money if you had told us in time.
b. In Case of Errors or Questions about Your Transactions:
Call 800-877-7328 or write us at U. S. Postal Service Federal Credit Union
(USPS FCU), 7905 Malcolm Rd. Suite 311, Clinton MD 20735, as soon as you
can, if you think your statement or confirmation is wrong or if you need
more information about a Transaction listed on the statement or
confirmation. We will not accept notification by email. We must hear from
you no later than 60 days after we send the FIRST statement on which the
problem or error appeared.
You must:
-
Tell us your name and account number,
-
Describe the error or the Transaction you are unsure about and explain
as clearly as you can why you believe it is an error or why you need
more information, and
-
Tell us the dollar amount of the suspected error.
USPS FCU will investigate your complaint and tell you the results within 10
business days (or 20 business days for foreign-initiated transactions or 20
business days for all transfers resulting from point-of-sale ATM/debit card
transactions) after we hear from you in writing. If it is determined that
you were charged in error, we will temporarily credit your account within
the initial 10 business days.
In the event that more than the initial 10 business days is needed for the
USPS FCU investigation, we may take up to 45 calendar days (90 calendar
days for foreign-initiated transfers and all transfers resulting from
point-of-sale ATM/debit card transactions or if the EFT occurred within 30
days after the first deposit to a new account was made) to complete the
investigation.
If USPS FCU takes more than the initial 10 business days to complete the
investigation, we will temporarily credit your account for the amount in
question. However, if we determine there is no error, the temporary credit
will be removed immediately from your account and we will send you a
written explanation within three (3) business days after we complete the
investigation.
5. OTHER ACCOUNT TERMS, APPLICABLE LAW
The terms of this Agreement are to be construed in a manner that is
consistent with the other terms of your Account Agreement with USPS FCU. If
a term or provision in this Agreement is inconsistent with a term or
provision in your other agreements with USPS FCU, and not otherwise
required by applicable law, the other agreement term or provision controls
this Agreement. This Agreement will be construed under applicable federal
law and the law of the state where the account is established.
U. S. Postal Service Federal Credit Union 7905 Malcolm Rd. Suite 311
Clinton, MD 20735
Phone (800) 877-7328
Fax (301) 856-4061
Last Updated: August 2011