It is important to keep the True Link Visa® Prepaid Card and account secure to protect against identity theft, fraudulent transactions, and other forms of security breaches. We encourage Card administrators and cardholders to communicate about account security and the importance of not sharing account information with anyone else.
In this article, we share some helpful tips and recommended actions for keeping an account secure.
Cardholder tips for account security
- Do not give or lend your Card to anyone. Do not lend your Card or share Card information with others. If you allow someone else to use the card, that person may make purchases with the Card that you are responsible for. Even if a Card is returned to you and no purchases were made, the borrower of the Card could have recorded Card information to make unauthorized transactions in the future.
- Keep your PIN secure. Do not write down your PIN if possible, and never write the PIN on your card. If your PIN is written down somewhere, keep the PIN in a different location from your card. When entering your PIN at a merchant or ATM, ensure others can’t see what you’re entering.
- Look out for ATM skimming devices. ATM skimming is an illegal practice of gathering account data from a Card that is swiped. While skimming can be difficult to spot, be careful when using public ATMs (e.g., at a restaurant, outside a gas station). Be on the lookout for any loose wires, tape, or suspicious materials on the machine. Always cover the keypad when entering the PIN on public ATMs to hide the PIN entry.
- Do not share the full Card number or CVV. Do not provide the full Card number or 3-digit CVV number on the back of your Card to anyone other than a merchant you’re making a purchase from. True Link will never ask you for this information.
- Use a secure online connection. When you log onto your cardholder dashboard, always use a secure computer and a secure internet connection. Avoid using public computers or public wifi to access your account whenever possible.
- Shop at trusted merchants, and avoid online transactions at unknown merchants. Only shop at merchants you trust, especially when making online purchases. If you haven’t shopped at a merchant previously, research the merchant to review any suspicious activity before making a purchase or contact your Card administrator with questions.
- Review transactions regularly. Review your transactions using True Link’s automated phone system by calling 1-800-299-7646 or by visiting the cardholder dashboard page. If you see a purchase that you did not make, contact your Card administrator or report the fraudulent transaction to True Link’s customer support team immediately.
Administrator tips for account security
- Never mail an active True Link Visa Card. We strongly recommend waiting to activate a True Link Visa Card until it arrives at its destination. If you must activate the Card before sending it to a cardholder, temporarily deactivate the Card while it is in transit.
- Use the Spending Settings to only allow purchases from trusted merchants. The Spending Settings can be used to block categories of merchants as well as individual merchants. We also encourage leaving the True Link ScamWatch list blocked under top-line protections.
- Consider blocking certain types of purchases. If you do not expect the cardholder to make certain types of transactions, you can consider using the Spending Settings to block transaction types to increase account security.
- Use a secure online connection. When you log onto your administrator dashboard, always use a secure computer and a secure internet connection. Avoid using public computers or public wifi to access your account whenever possible.
- Use a secure password. Use a password that you don’t use on any other websites, and never share your password with others who should not have access to the account. Never write down your password. A password manager, such as Google Password Manager or 1Password, can also help with protecting password information.
- Activate two-step verification. Activating two-step verification will give your account an extra layer of security by requiring the entry of a one-time verification code (sent to the mobile number you have listed in your account), in addition to your account password.
- Review transactions regularly. Be on the lookout for suspicious activity, including transactions that are uncharacteristic for the cardholder or transactions made in a different area from where the cardholder lives. Report any potentially fraudulent transactions immediately.
If you have any questions about account security or identify potentially fraudulent transactions, please contact our Customer Support team.