The Sonoma County Grange Credit Union was established in 1948 to provide affordable financial services to individuals in agriculture

Travel and Large Purchase Tips

Before you leave for your vacation be sure to let us know. At Sonoma County Grange Credit Union we make sure that your money is safe while you travel. Prior to leaving on your vacation be sure to contact us with your destination and the dates that you will be traveling, we can then notate your debit card so that it will not be blocked. 

Please note that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is blocking members from using their SCGCU VISA Debit cards while traveling in the following countries: Cuba, Iran, Myanmar (Burma) , Sudan.    

 

Large Purchase Tips

In order to protect you and to ensure the validity of your Debit Card card transactions, Sonoma County Grange Credit Union has a system (Falcon Alert) that detects transactions that are outside of your normal spending patterns. We normally place a temporary block on Debit Card cards if we notice any unusual activity. If you plan on traveling out of state or out of the country, or intend to make any large purchases, give us a call at (707) 584-0384 to talk to a card services representative. By letting us know in advance your transaction will take place smoothly.

Travel Tips

1. Prepare for your Trip

  • Take everything out of your wallet or purse that you don't need.
  • Photocopy or write down everything you keep in your wallet or purse. Take a copy with you and give a copy to somebody you trust and can contact if necessary, for example,
    • driver's license or ID number
    • passport number
    • traveler's cheques
    • ATM/Debit card and credit card numbers and expiration dates
    • your credit union and/or card issuer phone numbers
    • your Sonoma County Grange Credit Union member number

Be sure to keep your written information in a location other than your wallet or purse!

2. Understand Foreign ATMs

  • Use the networks that are shown on the back of your Debit Card Debit Card or ATM card. Use your Debit Card Credit Card wherever you see the VISA logo. Remember, you can take cash advances against your credit card from any bank displaying the Debit Card logo.

In many European countries the primary account is the checking account. As a result, you may not be given the option to withdraw funds from your savings account, since the checking account is assumed. If you have a savings account only, you may have difficulty using your Debit Card in Europe. Consider opening a Sonoma County Grange Credit Union Checking Account .

Print your search results for easy reference while traveling.

3. Lost or Stolen Card Information

Tell us AT ONCE if your card or PIN is stolen. If you call us immediately you are only liable for $50 dollars. Failure to report a lost or stolen Debit Card or PIN number can result in losing all of the money in your account. Contact (707) 584-0384 immediately to report a lost or stolen Debit Card or PIN number.

4. Transactions

Your account will be charged for the U.S. Dollar equivalent of your international transaction. Sonoma County Grange Credit Union Credit Union does not determine the exchange rate. This is determined by the overseas merchant's financial institution or ATM network that you used.

Purchases and cash advances made in foreign countries will be billed to you in U.S. dollars.

Effective April 2nd, 2005, the conversion rate in dollars will be a rate selectred by VISA from a range of rates available in wholesale currency markets for the applicable central processing date, which may vary from the rate VISA itself recieves, or the government mandated rate in effect for the applicable Central Processing Date in each instance, plus or minus any adjustment determined by the issuer.