1. What is a payment card?
2. Is my information secure?
3. How is my payment card used for payment?
   
4. Is National Payment Card operating this service for the Department of Motor Vehicles?
   
5. Why do you need my driver license information?
   
6. Why use a payment card rather than a regular debit card?
   
7. Why are you able to reward me for using this payment method?
   
8. What is an ACH debit transaction?
   
9. How long does it take for the payment card to become active?
   
10. I saw a small deposit of a few cents in my bank account.  What is this?
    
11. Is this USER ID (PIN) the same as my current Bank Account PIN number?
    
12. Do I get charged by my bank for an ACH transaction?
13. If I run a transaction and I do not have sufficient funds in my account, what will happen?
14. How much of a reward will I receive for using this payment method?
15. Where can I use my card as payment?
16. Are there any fees to enroll or to use this payment method
    
17. What are the usage limits on my payment card?
    
18. I lost my payment card, what do I do?
    
19. How do I change my PIN?
    
20. Can I have multiple payment cards use the same checking account?
    
21. The magnetic stripe on my payment card is worn and does not work, what can I do?
    
22. Why is an email address required?
    

1. What is a payment card?

A payment card is a loyalty/rewards card, membership card, or driver license that has been authorized to conduct an ACH transaction.  It is a form of an electronic check with a secured User ID (PIN) for verification and security.

2. Is my information secure?

The security of your data is very important to our business. We do not resell or disclose any information to a third party. The data you have provided is required to enable us to verify and link your information to your card to be able to perform an ACH debit transaction.

3. How is my payment card used for payment?

National Payment Card Association has patent-pending technology that enables you to link your checking account and your Personal Identification Number (PIN) with your payment card so you can pay for goods and services at participating merchants' businesses.

4. Is National Payment Card operating this service for the Department of Motor Vehicles?

No.  National Payment Card Association is a private data processing company with no official affiliation with the Department of Motor Vehicles. The gas station operator contracts with National Payment Card to operate this service. They have entrusted National Payment Card to provide payment services in the same way they rely upon Visa and MasterCard.


5. Why do you need my driver license information?

Your participating merchant wants to provide you a convenient way of paying for gas at a lesser price and also to pay for items inside his store. It is important to recognize that you are issuing an electronic check when you use the payment card for payment. This is no different than writing a check at the supermarket and being asked to show your driver license as an ID.

When you enroll in the program you voluntarily provide certain information to National Payment Card Association in order to participate in this program. No information will be taken from the magnetic stripe on your driver license to create a database and the driver license will be used only to verify your identity as a participant in the program.

6. Why use a payment card rather than a regular debit card?

Debit cards and credit cards are forms of payment that carry large merchant fees from the banking and credit card industry. These charges are transparent to the consumer. However, these charges limit the ability of the merchant to pass rewards directly to you.

7. Why are you able to reward me for using this payment method?

When you choose to use this form of payment, the merchant is able to pass the rewards to you. Retailers operate on low margins and a high cost of their operation is the credit card merchant fees. When you use a credit card at the station, the merchant pays about 2% of the amount you spend to the credit card company. That is expensive for the retailer.

Since most gas stations are not equipped with the technology to accept a check, and consumers are not carrying checks when they go to the station, payment by check is not practical. However, in essence, the ACH payment card is a check that you authorize that electronically debits your bank account.

The retailers would rather reward you directly than pay the higher cost to the credit card companies. It is a WIN/WIN for both you and the retailer at whose business the transaction and the exchange of goods takes place.

8. What is an ACH debit transaction?

The Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network is a highly reliable and efficient nationwide batch-oriented electronic funds transfer system governed by the NACHA Operating Rules that provide for the interbank clearing of electronic payments for participating depository financial institutions.  The Federal Reserve and Electronic Payments Network act as ACH Operators, central clearing facilities through which financial institutions transmit or receive ACH entries.

Examples of ACH payments include:

• Direct deposit of payroll, tax refunds, Social Security and other government benefits
• Direct payment of consumer bills such as mortgages, loans, utility bills and insurance premiums
• Business-to-business payments
• E-checks
• E-commerce payments and Federal, state, and local tax payments

9. How long does it take for the payment card to become active?

Once you have enrolled, the information that you provided will undergo a validation process. This process could take up to 3 business days. You will be notified of your account status and program details through subsequent email messages.

10. I saw a small deposit of a few cents in my bank account, what is this?

National Payment Card Association validates your enrolled bank account information to ensure that we have the correct account number. We do so by submitting a deposit to your bank account. The “challenge deposit” is a test to confirm the validity of the account. The enrolled card is not activated until this deposit verification process is completed.

In some cases, a small withdrawal is also made as part of the validation process. In that case, you will need to know both values to successfully complete the account validation process.

11. Is this USER ID the same as my current Bank Account PIN number?

No.  The User ID (PIN) that you select can be any 4-digit number and does not have to be the same as the current PIN that you use with your ATM or Web ID to your bank account. It is important to remember your PIN in order to use this method of payment.

12. Do I get charged by my bank for an ACH transaction?

Most banks do not charge for ACH transactions. This is the same method that is currently used for paying mortgage payments, car payments and any authorized debits from your bank account. It is possible that some banks may charge a monthly fee for such services so please check with your bank for details. Charges will apply from your bank and from National Payment Card Association if your transaction is returned as unpaid (NSF, Account Closed/Frozen, etc.). Our return fee will be the maximum amount permissible by state law. This fee is separate from any fees that your bank may impose for such returns. We recommend that you have Overdraft Protection on the account used for your payment card transactions.

13. If I conduct a transaction and I do not have sufficient funds in my account, what will happen?

First, you should not conduct a transaction if you are aware that you do not have sufficient funds to cover the face amount of the transaction. If you do, the transaction will be returned by your bank and your card will be deactivated until you make good on your purchase. Returned transactions also result in a “Return Fee” permissible by state laws. National Payment Card Association, or assigned agents, will try to electronically collect the face amount of the transaction and the associated Return Fee on two attempts. In the event that the company can not collect through normal electronic means, your account will be flagged and referred to a collection service and your membership may be cancelled. We recommend that you have Overdraft Protection on the account used for your payment card transactions to avoid additional return fees. By having Overdraft Protection with your bank, you will avoid our fees for returned payment card transactions.


14. How much of a reward will I receive for using this payment method?

The reward offered is determined by each participating location. Each location may offer various discounts or points. The rewards offered may also vary from the amount at the time of your enrollment. Rewards are subject to change based upon the merchant’s discretion.

15. Where can I use my card (or driver license) as payment?

At participating locations, where your specific payment cards (or driver license) are accepted as forms of payment. You may access the participating locations from the enrollment website for your specific card program.

16. Are there any fees to enroll or to use this payment method?

No.  There is no enrollment fee and we do not charge fees for use of your card. However, your bank may charge fees relating to the ACH withdrawal of money from your checking account. Check with your bank for specific details. We do, however, charge a Return Fee in the event that your bank returns a transaction unpaid. For this reason, we recommend that you have Overdraft Protection on the account used for your payment card transactions to avoid additional return fees.

17. What are the usage limits on my payment card?

The limits for use of your payment card are as follows:

• $75 to $100 per transaction (determined by merchant)
• 4 transactions per day
• $150 daily amount
• 10 transactions per week
• $500 weekly amount

18. I lost my payment card, what do I do?

You should log into the member website at www.npcmember.com to report your lost/stolen card. This will immediately deactivate the card. Depending on your specific card program, you may pick up a new card at a participating location and call Customer Service at (877) 403-2222 to have the replacement card added to your account. If your card was mailed to you, please calls us to request a replacement card.

19. How do I change my PIN?

You may change your PIN by logging into our website at www.npcmember.com.  You will need to click on your card number then select the Update My PIN option.

20. Can I have multiple payment cards use the same checking account?

Yes.  If you attained your original card from your local station, please pick up another card and call us to have it added to your existing account.

If your original card was mailed to you by your local merchant, please call us to request that additional card(s) be mailed to you.

21. The magnetic stripe on my card is worn and does not work, what can I do?

It will be necessary to replace your payment card if the magnetic stripe does not work. You should pick up a new card and call Customer Service at (877) 403-2222 to add the new card.

22. Why is an email address required?

Our system relies heavily on email communication to all customers. Your email address becomes your login to manage your account. An email address is also required to make updates to your account information and to provide the ability for you to review your transactions. It is also necessary to retrieve and/or change your PIN.