Contact Us    Locations    07/02/2009

Frequently Asked Questions About Your Card

Q. Is The Mechanics Bank Gift Card the same as a credit card?

A. No, the Gift Card is a prepaid MasterCard that is loaded with a fixed amount determined by the purchaser. Each time the card is used, the purchase amount is deducted from the available balance.

Q. How do I activate my Gift Card?

A. Activating your Gift Card is easy, just call toll free 800-385-0780, enter the card number and the three digit code found on the back of the card, and follow the recorded instructions.

Q. Where can The Mechanics Bank MasterCard Gift Card be used?

A. The Gift Card can be used to make purchases everywhere debit MasterCard is accepted.

Q. Can I use my Gift Card to make online purchases?

A. Yes. You can use your Gift Card to make online purchases, provided you’ve registered your card online.

Q. How do I register my Gift Card?

A. Once you have activated your card, click "Register Your Card" to register it. Enter the card number and the PIN number you created when you activated your card, and enter the required information.

Q. How can I check the available balance on my card?

A. The available balance can be verified online by clicking "View Card Balance". Or you can call 800-385-0780. Be sure to have your card number and PIN ready to access this information.

Q. How can I track my spending?

A. You can track your spending in the following ways:

• Retain receipts
• Call the toll free number on the back of your card OR
• Online by clicking "Review Recent Activity"

Q. Can I use my card to buy a money order?

A. Yes. Businesses that provide these types of services generally accept MasterCard.

Q. What should I do if my card is lost or stolen?

A. Call 800-385-0780 immediately to report a lost or stolen card.

Q. Can my card be replaced if it is lost or stolen?

A. Your card is the same as cash and can only be replaced if you have registered the card. A replacement card may be issued, minus a $5.00 replacement fee. See Terms & Conditions for details.

Q. Will I get charged a fee for using my card at participating merchants?

A. No, you will not be charged a fee for making purchases at participating merchants. Fees are imposed for cash advances.

Q. What if my purchase exceeds the value on my Gift Card?

A. You may use your Gift Card to pay for a portion of the purchase amount (you will need to tell the merchant the dollar value on your Gift Card) and use a second payment method such as check, cash or credit card for the remaining purchase amount. If you attempt to make a purchase for more than the balance on your Gift Card, the transaction will be declined.

Q. Can I use my Gift Card to withdraw cash at an ATM?

A. No. The Gift Card is for purchases only.

Q. Can I let someone else use my card?

A. You should not allow another person to use your Gift Card. Only the recipient may use the card; it is not transferable. Keep your card and the card number under your control at all times. If you allow another person to use your card, you will be held responsible for any transactions initiated by such person with your Gift Card.

Q. Can I use my Gift Card at the gas station?

A. Yes. However, it cannot be used at the self-service pump. The card must be presented to the attendant.

The Mechanics Bank Gift Card
Customer Agreement
Terms and Conditions
Effective: November 21, 2007

This Agreement contains information about your Mechanics Bank MasterCard® Gift Card (the “Card”). In this Agreement, “you” and “yours” means the person who has received the Card and any holder of the Card who is the authorized user designated by the purchaser of the Card. “We”, “us”, and “our” means The Mechanics Bank, our successors, affiliates or assigns. Business days are Monday through Friday (except federal holidays). Please read this Agreement carefully and keep it for your records. Please sign your Card immediately. By purchasing, signing, or using your Card, or allowing another person to use your Card, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. We may change the terms and conditions of, or add new terms or conditions to, this Customer Agreement at any time, with or without cause, and without giving you notice, in accordance with applicable law. Go to www.mechgiftcard.com to view the most recent Customer Agreement. Your continued use of the Card after the effective date of the change will confirm your consent to the changes.

SECTION 1.     AVAILABLE TRANSACTIONS

Prepaid Card: No FDIC Insurance. Treat this Card as you would cash. The Card is not a credit card. The Card is a prepaid card access device that can be used at retail establishments, which have agreed to accept MasterCard®–branded debit cards. Additional value cannot be loaded to your Card. The Card is our property, and we may suspend, revoke, or terminate it at any time at our sole discretion without cause or notice. The value of all cards is held in an aggregate account that is not protected by FDIC insurance. The unused balance of the Card does not earn interest.

Card Access. You may use your Card to pay for purchases at retail establishments that have agreed to accept MasterCard®–branded debit cards and are equipped with a point-of-sale terminal that can process such transactions. You may use the Card to make purchases on the Internet, provided you’ve registered your Card online at www.mechgiftcard.com, by entering your Card number, expiration date and any other information requested by the Internet site. You may use the Card to access cash at financial institution offices that accept MasterCard®–branded debit cards for cash advance transactions. You may use your Card for a cash advance up to the maximum value of the Card. You may be asked to provide an acceptable form of identification in order to make a purchase or perform a transaction using the Card. If you permit someone else to use your Card, we will treat this as if you have authorized this person to use your Card, and you will be responsible for any transactions initiated by such person with your Card. Upon any cash advance or purchase via a point-of-sale device, mail order, telephone order or other transaction, the amount available on the Card will be reduced by the amount of such advance or purchase and any applicable fees. Certain retail establishments such as hotels or restaurants may authorize amounts in excess of the actual purchase amount to cover tips and other charges. If a purchase exceeds the available balance on your Card, ask the merchant if you may use the funds on your Card toward a portion of the purchase price and use another form of payment for the remaining amount of the purchase price. If you use your Card for the purchase of gasoline, make your transaction with the attendant. You may not use your Card for any Internet gambling transaction, any transaction prohibited under the Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC) laws, or for any other illegal activity.

Point-of-Sale Transactions. The use of your Card to purchase goods and services from merchants constitutes a demand against the remaining value on your Card. You may use your Card only in the manner and for the purpose authorized by these Terms and Conditions. A transaction receipt is provided for each point-of sale transaction completed with your Card, which you should retain for your records. You do not have the right to stop payment on any point-of-sale transaction originated by use of your Card. You are responsible for all transactions initiated by use of your Card.

Foreign Transactions. If you conduct a transaction in a currency other than U.S. dollars, the merchant, network or card association that processes the transaction may convert any related debit or credit into U.S. dollars in accordance with its then current policies. MasterCard® currently uses a conversion rate that is either: (a) selected from a range of rates available in the wholesale currency markets (note: this rate may be different from the rate that MasterCard® receives), or (b) the government-mandated rate. The conversion rate may be different from the rate in effect on the date of your transaction or when it is posted to your Card. We will impose a charge equal to 1% of the transaction amount (including credits and reversals) for each foreign transaction you conduct.

It is important that you track the available balance on your Card. You may check the current available balance by calling 1-800-385-0780 - or going to www.mechgiftcard.com. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, your Card will expire after the last day of the month shown on the front of the Card or when your Card balance reaches zero because of purchases or fees that have depleted your Card balance. You agree that any unused balance remaining on the Card may become subject to escheat under applicable state law.

Certain fees may apply to this Card and will be deducted from the balance on your Card. These fees include an annual fee, assessed after the 12th month. Please see a listing of all applicable current fees below, you may also call us at 1-800-797-MECH or go to www.mechgiftcard.com. We may charge you a fee for each cash advance transaction, which, in general, will be deducted from the balance on your Card. Other financial institutions at which you make a transaction using the Card may charge additional fee(s).

• Card purchase - $5.00
• Bulk card fee (10 or more cards at one time) - $2.50
• Replacement of lost/stolen card: $5.00
• Annual fee - $10.00
• Cash advance fee - $4.00

SECTION 3.     LOST OR STOLEN CARD

Tell us AT ONCE if you believe your Card has been lost or stolen. Telephoning us a 1-800-385-0780 is the best way of doing this or write to us at the following address: Bankcard Services P.O. Box 1481, Madison, WI 53701-1481. Providing you have registered the Card online, a replacement Card may be issued, minus a reissue fee. You will need to provide us with your Card number to cancel your Card and receive a replacement Card.

SECTION 4.     ERROR RESOLUTION PROCEDURES

You may contact us regarding errors or questions about transactions arising from the use of your Card. Call us at 1-800-385-0780 or write to us at Bankcard Services, P.O. Box 1481, Madison, WI 53701-1481 as soon as possible, if you think your receipt is wrong or if you need more information about a transaction listed on the receipt. A customer service representative is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We must hear from you no later than 60 days after the date of the transaction in question, and you must provide the following information:

• Your name and Card number;
• A description of the error or the transaction you are unsure about and the date it occurred;
• An explanation as to why you believe there is an error or why you need more information; and
• The dollar amount of the suspected error.

When you contact us by telephone, we will require that you put your dispute in writing within 5 business days. We may take up to 90 calendar days to investigate and resolve your dispute. We will tell you the results within 8 business days after completing our investigation.

SECTION 5.     LIMITED LIABILITY, GOVERNING LAW AND SEVERABILITY

If we do not complete a transaction arising from the use of your Card on time or in the correct amount according to our Agreement with you, we will be liable for your actual damages only. However, there are some circumstances where we will not be liable, for instance: (i) If through no fault of ours, you do not have enough money on your Card to cover a transaction; or (ii) If the terminal or system was not working properly; or (iii) If circumstances beyond our control (such as flood or fire), prevent the transaction, despite reasonable precautions that we have taken. Unless expressly prohibited or otherwise limited by applicable law, we shall have no liability, of any kind whatsoever, to you for performing or failing to perform any services in connection with the Card, unless we have acted with malice or in bad faith. In no event will we be liable to you for any consequential damages, special damages, or exemplary damages, even if we were aware of or you advised us of the possibility of such damages. Any claims against us in connection with the Card must be submitted to us no later than 90 days after the date of the transaction to which the claim relates.

To the extent not preempted by federal law, the laws of the State of California shall govern this Agreement (without regard to the conflict of law doctrine principles). A determination that any part of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable will not affect the remainder.

©2009 Mechanics Bank. All rights reserved