For purposes of this disclosure the terms "we", "us" and "our" refer to Ameris Bank. The terms "you" and "your" refer to the recipient of this disclosure.
The Electronic Fund Transfer Act and Regulation E require institutions to provide certain information to customers regarding electronic fund transfers (EFTs). This disclosure applies to any EFT service you receive from us related to an account established primarily for personal, family or household purposes. Examples of EFT services include direct deposits to your account, automatic regular payments made from your account to a third party and one-time electronic payments from your account using information from your check to pay for purchases or to pay bills. This disclosure also applies to the use of your Debit Card (hereinafter referred to collectively as "Debit Card") at automated teller machines (ATMs) and any networks described below.
This disclosure contains important information about your use of EFT services provided by Ameris Bank in relation to accounts established primarily for personal, family or household purposes. Please read this document carefully and retain it for future reference.
DEFINITION OF BUSINESS DAY. Business days are Monday through Friday excluding holidays.
ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFER SERVICES PROVIDED
DEBIT CARD SERVICES. The services available through use of your debit card are described below.
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You may withdraw cash from your checking account(s), savings account(s), money market account(s), and NOW account(s).
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You may make deposits into your checking account(s), savings account(s), money market account(s), and NOW account(s).
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You may transfer funds between your checking and savings accounts, checking and money market accounts, checking and NOW accounts, savings and money market accounts, savings and NOW accounts, and NOW accounts and money market accounts.
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You may make balance inquiries on your checking account(s), savings account(s), money market account(s), and NOW account(s).
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You may use your card at any merchant that accepts Visa® debit cards for the purchase of goods and services.
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PIN-LESS DEBIT TRANSACTIONS - Visa®. When you use your card on the VISA® network(s) the transaction may be processed as a debit transaction without requiring PIN authentication ("PIN-less"). Transactions that are completed as PIN-less debit transactions will not be processed by Visa® and may post to your account as an ATM or debit transaction rather than a Visa® purchase. The provisions of the Visa® cardholder agreement that relate only to Visa® transactions are not applicable to non-Visa® transactions. Transactions completed as PIN-less debit transactions include, but may not be limited to, government payments, utilities, and property management fees.
ATM SERVICES.
NETWORK. Your ability to perform the transactions or access the accounts set forth above depends on the location and type of ATM you are using and the network through which the transaction is being performed. A specific ATM or network may not perform or permit all of the above transactions.
You may access your Debit Card through the following network(s): NYCE, Cirrus, MasterCard, Plus, VISA®.
ATM FEES. When you use an ATM not owned by us, you may be charged a fee by the ATM operator or any network used, and you may be charged a fee for a balance inquiry even if you do not complete a fund transfer.
POINT OF SALE TRANSACTIONS. Listed below is the card you may use to purchase goods and services from merchants that have arranged to accept your card as a means of payment (these merchants are referred to as "Participating Merchants"). Some Participating Merchants may permit you to receive cash back as part of your purchase. Purchases made with your card, including any purchase where you receive cash, are referred to as "Point of Sale" transactions and will cause your "designated account" to be debited for the amount of the purchase. We have the right to return any check or other item drawn against your account to ensure there are funds available to pay for any Point of Sale transaction. We may, but do not have to, allow transactions which exceed your available account balance or, if applicable, your available overdraft protection. If we do, you agree to pay an amount equal to the overdrawn balance plus any overdraft fee.
The following card and the corresponding designated account(s) may be used for Point of Sale transactions:
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Debit Card: Checking, Savings, Money Market, NOW.
Your Debit card may also be used to obtain cash from your designated account(s) at participating financial institutions when so authorized under the terms of your Account Agreement.
CURRENCY CONVERSION - Visa®.
When you use your VISA check card at a merchant that settles in currency other than US dollars, the charge will be converted into US dollar amount. The currency rate used to determine the transaction amount in US dollars is either a government-mandated rate or the wholesale market rate in effect the day before the processing date, increased by 3%.
This 3% fee will reflect as an International Transaction Service Charge on your account statement.
SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH USE OF TELEPHONE BANKING. You may perform the following functions through use of TELEPHONE BANKING:
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You may initiate transfers of funds between your checking and savings accounts, checking and money market accounts, checking and NOW accounts, savings and money market accounts, savings and NOW accounts, and NOW accounts and money market accounts.
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You may make balance inquiries on your checking account(s), savings account(s), money market account(s), NOW account(s), Time Deposit, and Loan Account.
In addition, you may perform other transactions such as:
MOBILE BANKING:
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Transfers from checking to savings.
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Transfers from savings to checking.
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Transfers from Money Market to checking or savings.
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Transfers from checking or savings to Money Market.
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Transfer funds from Line of Credit to checking account with loan officer approval.
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Make payments from Checking to Loan Accounts with Ameris Bank.
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Make payments from checking account to payees through online bill payment (not offered on Opportunity Checking account)
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Utilize a smartphone to make deposits via remote capture of items.
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Balance Inquires on all owned accounts.
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You may change your PIN via the telephone.
ZELLE:
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Transfer from a checking to an external checking.
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Transfer from a checking to an external saving.
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Transfer from a saving to an external checking.
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Transfer from a saving to an external saving.
PREAUTHORIZED TRANSFER SERVICES.
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You may arrange for the preauthorized automatic deposit of funds to your checking account(s), savings account(s), money market account(s), and NOW account(s).
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You may arrange for the preauthorized automatic payments or other transfers from your checking account(s), savings account(s), money market account(s), and NOW account(s).
SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH USE OF INTERNET BANKING. Ameris Bank offers its customers use of our Internet Banking service.
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Transfers from checking to savings.
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Transfers from savings to checking.
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Transfers from Money Market to checking or savings.
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Transfers from checking or savings to Money Market.
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Transfer funds from Line of Credit to checking account with loan officer approval.
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Make payments from checking to Loan Accounts with Ameris Bank.
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Make payments from checking account to payees through online bill payment.
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Balance Inquires on all owned accounts.
ELECTRONIC CHECK CONVERSION. You may authorize a merchant or other payee to make a one-time electronic payment from your checking account using information from your check to pay for purchases or to pay bills.
LIMITATIONS ON TRANSACTIONS TRANSACTION LIMITATIONS - DEBIT CARD.
CASH WITHDRAWAL LIMITATIONS. You may withdraw up to $1,000.00 through use of ATMs in any one day.
POINT OF SALE LIMITATIONS. You may buy up to $2,500.00 worth of goods or services in any one day through use of our Point of Sale service.
OTHER WITHDRAWAL LIMITATIONS. You may not exceed more than $2500.00 in transactions per day using your check card in a signature based transaction.
OTHER LIMITATIONS.
• We reserve the right to impose limitations for security purposes at any time.
NOTICE OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The use of any electronic fund transfer services described in this document creates certain rights and responsibilities regarding these services as described below.
RIGHT TO RECEIVE DOCUMENTATION OF YOUR TRANSFERS.
TRANSACTION RECEIPTS. Depending on the location of an ATM, you may not be given the option to receive a receipt if your transaction is $15.00 or less. Upon completing a transaction of more than $15.00, you will receive a printed receipt documenting the transaction (unless you choose not to get a paper receipt). These receipts (or the transaction number given in place of the paper receipt) should be retained to verify that a transaction was performed. A receipt will be provided for any transaction of more than $15.00 made with your Debit Card at a Participating Merchant. If the transaction is $15.00 or less, the Participating Merchant is not required to provide a receipt.
PERIODIC STATEMENTS. If your account is subject to receiving a monthly statement, all EFT transactions will be reported on it. If your account is subject to receiving a statement less frequently than monthly, then you will continue to receive your statement on that cycle, unless there are EFT transactions, in which case you will receive a monthly statement. In any case you will receive your statement at least quarterly.
PREAUTHORIZED DEPOSITS. If you have arranged to have direct deposits made to your account at least once every 60 days from the same person or company:
• You can call us at (866) 616-6020 to find out whether or not the deposit has been made.
USING YOUR CARD AND PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ("PIN"). In order to assist us in maintaining the security of your account and the terminals, the Debit Card remains our property and may be revoked or canceled at any time without giving you prior notice. You agree not to use your Debit Card for a transaction that would cause your account balance to go below zero, or to access an account that is no longer available or lacks sufficient funds to complete the transaction, including any available line of credit. We will not be required to complete any such transaction, but if we do, we may, at our sole discretion, charge or credit the transaction to another account; you agree to pay us the amount of the improper withdrawal or transfer upon request.
Certain transactions involving your Debit Card require use of your PIN. Your PIN is used to identify you as an authorized user. Because the PIN is used for identification purposes, you agree to notify Ameris Bank immediately if your Debit Card is lost or if the secrecy of your PIN is compromised. You also agree not to reveal your PIN to any person not authorized by you to use your Debit Card or to write your PIN on your Debit Card or on any other item kept with your Debit Card. We have the right to refuse a transaction on your account when your Debit Card or PIN has been reported lost or stolen or when we reasonably believe there is unusual activity on your account.
The security of your account depends upon your maintaining possession of your Debit Card and the secrecy of your PIN. You may change your PIN if you feel that the secrecy of your PIN has been compromised. You may change your PIN at an ATM.
RIGHTS REGARDING PREAUTHORIZED TRANSFERS.
RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES TO STOP PAYMENTS. If you have instructed us to make regular preauthorized transfers out of your account, you may stop any of the payments. To stop a payment,
call us at: (866) 616-6020
or
write to: Ameris Bank
Attn: Customer Contact Center
PO Box 105075
Atlanta, GA 30348
A stop payment fee of $35.00 will be incurred for each stop payment processed.
We must receive your call or written request at least three (3) business days prior to the scheduled payment. If you call, please have the following information ready: your account number, the date the transfer is to take place, to whom the transfer is being made and the amount of the scheduled transfer. If you call, we will require you to put your request in writing and deliver it to us within fourteen (14) days after you call.
NOTICE OF VARYING AMOUNTS. If you have arranged for automatic periodic payments to be deducted from your checking or savings account and these payments vary in amount, you will be notified by the person or company you are going to pay ten days prior to the payment date of the amount to be deducted. You may choose instead to get this notice only when the payment would differ by more than a certain amount from the previous payment, or when the amount would fall outside certain limits that you set.
OUR LIABILITY FOR FAILURE TO STOP PREAUTHORIZED TRANSFER PAYMENTS. If you order us to stop one of the payments and have provided us with the information we need at least three (3) business days prior to the scheduled transfer, and we do not stop the transfer, we will be liable for your losses or damages.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO NOTIFY US OF LOSS OR THEFT. If you believe your Debit Card or PIN or internet
banking access code has been lost or stolen,
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call us at: |
(866) 616-6020 (anytime for debit cards) |
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write to: |
Ameris Bank |
For Lost or Stolen Online Banking Credentials:
(866) 616-6020
Monday-Thursday 8:30am-6:00pm/EST
Friday 8:30am-7:00pm/EST
Saturday 8:30am-1:00pm/EST
You should also call the number or write to the address listed above if you believe a transfer has been made using the information from your check without your permission.
CONSUMER LIABILITY. Tell us AT ONCE if you believe your Debit Card or PIN or internet banking access code has been lost or stolen or if you believe that an electronic fund transfer has been made without your permission using information from your check. Telephoning is the best way of keeping your possible losses down. If you tell us within two (2) business days after you learn of the loss or theft of your Debit Card or PIN you can lose no more than fifty dollars ($50) if someone used your Debit Card or PIN without your permission. If you do NOT tell us within two (2) business days after you learn of the loss or theft of your Debit Card or PIN and we can prove we could have stopped someone from using your Debit Card or PIN without your permission if you had given us notice, you can lose as much as five hundred dollars ($500).
Also, if your statement shows transfers you did not make, including those made by card, code, or other means, tell us at once. If you do not tell us within sixty (60) days after the statement was transmitted to you, you may not receive back any money you lost after the sixty (60) days, and therefore, you could lose all the money in your account (plus your maximum overdraft line of credit, if applicable), if we can prove that we could have stopped someone from taking the money had you given us notice in time. If a good reason (such as a long trip or hospital stay) keeps you from giving the notice, we will extend the time periods.
CONSUMER LIABILITY FOR UNAUTHORIZED TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING DEBIT CARD. The limitations on your liability for unauthorized transactions described above generally apply to all electronic fund transfers. However, different limitations apply to certain transactions involving your card with the Visa® logo. These limits apply to unauthorized transactions processed on the Visa® or Plus Network.
If you notify us about an unauthorized transaction involving your card with the Visa® logo and the unauthorized transaction took place on the Visa® or Plus Network, zero liability will be imposed on you for the unauthorized transaction. We may increase the limit of your liability for such unauthorized transactions if we reasonably determine, based on substantial evidence, that you were negligent or fraudulent in the handling of your account or your card with the Visa® logo. The zero liability provisions do not apply to PIN-based or PIN-less debit transactions not processed by the Visa® or Plus Network, including ATM transactions outside of the United States.
Your liability for unauthorized transactions with your card with the Visa® logo that involve PIN-based or PIN-less debit transactions not processed by the Visa® or Plus Network, including ATM transactions, are described under "Consumer Liability" above.
IN CASE OF ERRORS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR TRANSACTIONS. In case of errors or questions about your electronic fund transfers,
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call us at: |
(866) 616-6020 |
|
write to: |
Ameris Bank |
or use the current information on your most recent account statement.
Notification should be made as soon as possible if you think your statement or receipt is wrong or if you need more information about a transaction listed on the statement or receipt. You must contact Ameris Bank no later than 60 days after we sent you the first statement on which the problem or error appears. You must be prepared to provide the following information:
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Your name and account number.
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A description of the error or transaction you are unsure about along with an explanation as to why you believe it is an error or why you need more information.
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The dollar amount of the suspected error.
If you provide oral notice, you may be required to send in your complaint or question in writing within ten (10) business days.
We will determine whether an error occurred within ten (10) business days (twenty (20) business days for new accounts) after we hear from you and will correct any error promptly. If we need more time, however, we may take up to forty-five (45) days (ninety (90) days for new accounts and foreign initiated or Point of Sale transfers) to investigate your complaint or question. If we decide to do this, we will credit your account within ten (10) business days (twenty (20) business days for new accounts) for the amount which you think is in error, so that you will have the use of the money during the time it takes to complete our investigation. If we ask you to put your complaint or question in writing and we do not receive it within ten (10) business days, we may not credit your account. The extended time periods for new accounts apply to all electronic fund transfers that occur within the first thirty (30) days after the first deposit to the account is made, including those for foreign initiated or Point of Sale transactions. Visa's® cardholder protection policy requires that we provide provisional credit for losses from unauthorized Visa® Check Card use within five (5) business days of notification of the loss.
We will tell you the results within three (3) business days after completing our investigation. If we decide that there was no error, we will send you a written explanation.
You may ask for copies of the documents that we used in our investigation.
LIABILITY FOR FAILURE TO COMPLETE TRANSACTION. If we do not complete a transfer to or from your account on time or in the correct amount according to our agreement with you, we will be liable for your losses or damages as provided by law. However, there are some exceptions. We will NOT be liable, for instance:
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If through no fault of ours, you do not have enough money in your account to make the transfer.
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If the transfer would result in your exceeding the credit limit on your line of credit, if you have one.
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If the electronic terminal was not working properly and you knew about the breakdown before you started the transfer.
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If circumstances beyond our control (such as fire or flood, computer or machine breakdown, or failure or interruption of communications facilities) prevent the transfer, despite reasonable precautions we have taken.
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If we have terminated our Agreement with you.
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When your Debit Card has been reported lost or stolen or we have reason to believe that something is wrong with a transaction.
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If we receive inaccurate or incomplete information needed to complete a transaction.
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In the case of preauthorized transfers, we will not be liable where there is a breakdown of the system which would normally handle the transfer.
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If the funds in the account are subject to legal action preventing a transfer to or from your account.
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If the electronic terminal does not have enough cash to complete the transaction. There may be other exceptions provided by applicable law.
CHARGES FOR TRANSFERS OR THE RIGHT TO MAKE TRANSFERS. We reserve the right to impose a fee and to change fees upon notice to you.
There will be a fee for expedited Debit cards and/or PINS. The fees are:
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Expedited card only: $65.00
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Expedited PIN only: $36.00
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Expedited card and PIN: $100.00
DISCLOSURE OF ACCOUNT INFORMATION. We will disclose information to third parties about your account or electronic fund transfers made to your account:
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Where necessary to complete a transfer or to investigate and resolve errors involving the transfer(s); or
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In order to verify the existence and condition of your account for a third party such as a credit bureau or merchant; or
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In order to comply with government agency or court orders; or
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If you give us your permission in a record or writing.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR ATM TERMINAL USAGE. Please keep in mind the following basic safety tips whenever you use an ATM:
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Have your Debit Card ready to use when you reach the ATM. Have all of your forms ready before you get to the machine. Keep some extra forms (envelopes) at home for this purpose.
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If you are new to ATM usage, use machines close to or inside a financial institution until you become comfortable and can conduct your usage quickly.
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If using an ATM in an isolated area, take someone else with you if possible. Have them watch from the car as you conduct your transaction.
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Do not use ATMs at night unless the area and machine are well-lighted. If the lights are out, go to a different location.
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If someone else is using the machine you want to use, stand back or stay in your car until the machine is free. Watch out for suspicious people lurking around ATMs, especially during the times that few people are around.
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When using the machine, stand so you block anyone else's view from behind.
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If anything suspicious occurs when you are using a machine, cancel what you are doing and leave immediately. If going to your car, lock your doors.
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Do not stand at the ATM counting cash. Check that you received the right amount later in a secure place, and reconcile it to your receipt then.
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Keep your receipts and verify transactions on your account statement. Report errors immediately. Do not leave receipts at an ATM location.
ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
Your account is also governed by the terms and conditions of other applicable agreements between you and Ameris Bank. ADVISORY AGAINST ILLEGAL USE: You agree not to use your card(s) for illegal gambling or other illegal purpose. Display of a payment card logo by, for example, an online merchant does not necessarily mean that transactions are lawful in all jurisdictions in which the cardholder may be located.