CREDIT CARD

AGREEMENT
&
TRUTH-IN-LENDING 
DISCLOSURE

1-800-763-8600
469-8600
P.O. Box 2008, Sumter, SC 29151

SUMMARY TABLE

Interest Rates and Interest Charges

Annual Percentage  
Rate (APR) for  
Purchases 

APR for Balance  
Transfers

APR for Cash  
Advances

Penalty APR 

7.96% to 17.96%  Your rate is based on your
credit worthiness and Financial Score as related to your
credit report.

No change on assigned APR

No change on assigned APR

17.96% 
This APR may be applied to your account if you:
  1)   Make 4 payments over 30 days late and 1 payment over 

60 days late in 24 months,
  2)   Make a payment that is returned;
  3)   Review of your credit worthiness indicates changes to 

your beacon score; or

  4)   Do any of the above on another account you have with us.

 How long will the Penalty APR apply? If your APR is increased 
for any of these reasons, the Penalty APR will apply until you 
make six consecutive minimum payments on or before due 
date.

How to avoid Paying 
Interest on Purchases 

Your due date is at least 25 days after the close of each billing 
cycle. We will not charge you any interest on purchases if you 
pay your entire balance by the due date each month.

Minimum Interest 
Charge 

If you are charged interest, the charge will be average daily
balance times periodic rate.

For Credit Card Tips 
from the Federal 
Reserve Board 

To learn more about factors to consider when applying for or 
using a credit card, visit the website of the Federal Reserve 
Board at http://www.federalreserve.gov/creditcard

FEES
Annual Fee 

Transaction Fees
• Balance Transfer 

• Cash 

None

None

 None — The purchase of money order, traveler’s check, 
foreign currency, lottery ticket, gambling chip, or wire transfer  
is a cash advance.

• Foreign Transaction 

1% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Late Fee 

 $5.00-$25.00 Credit Card Late Charge on any portion past 
due 3 days after minimum due date. Late payment fee will not 
exceed minimum payment due.

Over-the-Credit-Line 

$0

Returned Payment 

Replacement Card 

$25.00

$15.00

Receipt & Statement 
Copies

$2.00 per receipt or per statement

How We Will Calculate Your Balance:
We use a method called “average daily balance”.

Billing Rights:  Information on your rights to dispute transactions and how to 
exercise those rights is provided under Billing Rights at the end of this document.
The terms and conditions are accurate as of date of printing and subject to 
change. For information on changes after that date, call 800 763-8600 or 803 
469-8600 or write us at SAFE Federal Credit Union, PO Box 2008, Sumter, 
SC 29151-2008, or visit us on-line, at www.safefed.org.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TERMS AND CONDITIONS AGREEMENT
This is your Terms and Conditions Agreement with SAFE Federal Credit Union. 
Please  read  it  carefully  and  keep  it  for  your  records.  It  supersedes  all  prior 
agreements relating to your account. You do not have to sign this Agreement. Your 
agreement to all of these provisions, as amended from time to time including the 
Card issued by us, will be shown by your application for the Card, your acceptance 
of the Card, or your use of the Card, whichever occurs first.
Definitions
“Agreement”  means  this  document,  the Account  Terms  and  Condition  and  any 
changes we make to this document from time to time.
“Authorized  User”  means  any  person  you  allow  to  use  your  Account  including 
without limitation through a Card, Check, the account number, or other credit device.
“Balance Transfer” means the use of your Account for a loan obtained by a transfer 
of funds initiated by us at your request and includes the use of a Balance Transfer 
Check. 
“Beacon, FICO, or Credit Score” means a number representing the creditworthiness 
of a person or the likelihood that person will pay his or her debts as determined by 
credit bureau business standards.
“Card”  means  either  one  or  more  VISA®  credit  cards,  MasterCard®,  and  any 
duplicates, renewals or substitutions we issue.
“Cash Advance” means to use your Card or account number to obtain cash loans 
at any financial institution or automated teller machine that accepts the Card, the 
use of a Cash Advance Check or the purchase of cash equivalents. “Cash Advance” 
includes the transaction fees associated with any cash advance or any cash equiva-
lent that may be requested by the financial institution paying the Cash Advance.
“Cash Equivalent” means the use of your Card or account number to obtain money 
orders, traveler’s checks, foreign currency lottery tickets, gambling chips or wire 
transfers.
“Convenience Checks” means one or more checks that we may send to you to 
access your Credit Card Account.
“Average Daily Periodic Rate” or “DPR” means the applicable APR divided by 365.
“Foreign Transaction” means the use of your Card or Account for a transaction with 
a business or entity located outside of the United States or for a transaction in a 
currency other than U.S. dollars. Foreign Transactions and the Transaction Fees 
associated  with  any  Foreign  Transaction  are  considered  Purchases  for  interest 
calculation purposes.
“Monthly Periodic Rate” or “MPR” means the applicable APR divided by 12.
“Purchase” means the use of your Card or account number to buy or lease goods 
or services and to make a transaction that is not otherwise a balance transfer or a 
cash  advance.  Purchases  include  foreign  transactions,  account  fees  and  any 
adjustments associated with any purchase.
“You,”  “Your,”  and  “Yours”  mean  all  cardholders  (borrowers  and  co-borrowers); 
anyone the cardholder permits to use the Card(s); as well as any authorized user 
for whom an additional Card(s) is issued to the extent of their purchases and cash 
advances, as well as transactions by anyone the authorized user may permit to 
use the Card(s).
“We,” “Us,” “Our,” “Credit Union” and “Safe” mean, SAFE Federal Credit Union.

IMPORTANT  INFORMATION  ABOUT  APPLYING  FOR  A  SAFE  FCU  CREDIT 
CARD: To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering 
activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record 
information that identifies each person who open an account. What this means to 
you – When you apply for membership with SAFE Federal Credit Union (Note: 
Must be a member of SAFE FCU before applying for a credit card), we will ask for 
your  name,  street  address,  date  of  birth,  social  security  number,  and  other 
information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see and make a 
copy of identifying documents.

Your Credit Card Account – By signing, keeping or using your Card, you agree to 
the terms and conditions of this Agreement. You may obtain credit in the form of 
Purchases,  Balance  Transfers  and  Cash Advances  (up  to  your  available  credit 
limit) by using your Card, Checks, or other credit devices we have provided to you 
and is assigned to this Card. You agree that we may credit your account rather than 
issue cash refunds when you reverse transactions that were originally charged to 
your Card Account. You agree that you will not use your Card in connection with 
any transaction that is prohibited or unenforceable and that if you do engage in 
such  a  transaction,  you  waive  any  claim  that  the  charge  is  uncollectible  on  the 
grounds the transaction was prohibited or unenforceable. You further agree not to 
present your Card, obtain a Cash Advance or write a Convenience Check for any 
extension of credit in excess of your available Credit Limit (the difference between 
your outstanding balance and your maximum credit limit) on your account. The 
Card must be returned to us upon request. We may replace your Card with another 
Card at anytime.
Certain purchases and cash advances require authorization before completion of 
the transaction. In some cases, you may be asked to provide identification. If our 
system is not working, we may not be able to authorize a transaction, even though 
you have sufficient credit available. Also, for security reasons, we may block the 
use of your Card in certain countries or geographic areas. We will have no liability 
to you or others if any of these events occur.

Annual  Percentage  (APR)  and  Monthly  Periodic  Rate  (MPR)  –  If  your 
application is accepted, the Credit Union will establish a credit limit for 
you from the available rates offered. The amount will be based on many 
factors  including  your  ability  to  pay,  your  creditworthiness,  and  your 
Credit Report Score. The following chart shows the monthly periodic rate 
for APRs offered. The shaded boxes represent rates that have been offered 
in the past and may still be applicable to some members and are printed 
only in this disclosure for information on percentage breakdown and may 
not be available at this time.

Monthly 
Periodic 
Rate 
1.33% 
1.16% 
.83% 
.66% 

Annual 
Percentage 
Rate 
15.96% 
13.96% 
9.96% 
7.96% 

Monthly 
Periodic 
Rate 
1.50% 

Annual
Percentage
Rate
17.96%

1.16% 
.91% 

13.92%
10.96%

From time-to-time a credit report may be obtained to determine changes to your 
APR, credit limit, or continued usage of our card(s) using any and all information 
on credit report including history with other creditors. If your APR is increased, a 
notification will be sent to you 45 days prior to the effective date to provide you the 
option to Opt Out of the increased APR. If you elect to Opt Out of the new increased 
APR, your privileges to use our card will be frozen with the current balance and 
assigned APR. If you use the card, after date on notification of APR increase rate, 
you are agreeing to the new APR and your account will be adjusted as such within 
applicable  regulation.  If  you  default  on  your  payment,  we  may  implement  the 
default APR of 17.96%.
Maximum Credit Limit –Your Maximum Credit Limit will appear on the folder in 
which you receive your Card and on your monthly statement. At our discretion, we 
may change your credit limit at any time. We will notify you if we do, by mail or 
through your monthly billing statement. You may request a change to your credit 
limit by contacting the Credit Union by telephone or mail. Your continued use of the 
card will show your agreement to any such increase. If you object to an increase in 
your credit limit, you must notify the Credit Union in writing. Upon receipt of such 
notice,  your  credit  limit  will  be  reduced  to  its  prior  limit;  however,  you  will  be 
responsible to pay any amount by which you have exceeded the reduced limit. You 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
agree  to  pay  any  amounts  you  owe  that  exceed  your  maximum  credit  balance 
upon demand.
You agree we are not obligated to extend to you credit for any amount that would 
cause your outstanding balance to exceed your Maximum Credit Limit or for any 
amount if your outstanding balance already exceeds your Maximum Credit Limit. 
Any increase in your Maximum Credit Limit requested by you will require you to 
make a written application for our approval.
Credit balances in excess of $1.00 will be refunded to you by either: (a) Credit the 
amount of the credit balance to your share savings account with us; (b) Make a 
good faith effort to refund to you by check or credit a deposit account with us in the 
name of the cardholder. Excess amount received will not be applied to credit limit. 
No further action is required if you have not provided a current address to SAFE.
You agree that the Maximum Credit Limit will at no time exceed the agreed upon 
amount, and that any credit balance will not be available or increase the Maximum 
Credit Limit available for new purchases or cash advances during any billing cycle. 
Payments – You authorize us to pay and charge your account for all purchases, 
balance transfers, checks, and cash advances made or obtained by you or anyone 
you authorize to use your Card or Account. You agree to pay us for all of these 
transactions, plus any interest assessed on your account any other charges and 
fees  which  you  may  owe  under  the  terms  of  this Agreement,  whether  resulting 
from:

■  Physical use of your Card or a Check;
■   Mail order or telephone, computer or other electronic transaction made 

without presenting the Card;

■   Any other circumstances where you authorize a charge, or authorize 
someone else to make a charge. You agree that a signature is not 
necessary identification in such cases.

Each person who has agreed to be responsible on the account is responsible to 
pay the full amount owed on the account. If this is a joint account, we can send 
statements  and  notices  to  either  of  you.  We  may  require  that  you  pay  the  full 
amount  owed  without  first  asking  any  other  person(s)  to  pay.  Instructions  for 
making payments are on your monthly billing statement. Payments that comply 
with the requirements specified on or with your monthly billing statement, including 
the  time  of  receipt,  will  be  credited  on  the  business  day  they  are  received. 
Payments must be mailed to the correct P.O. Box or street address specified for 
U.S. Priority Mail and overnight payments. There may be a delay of up to five (5) 
days in crediting payments that are not made in accordance with those instructions. 
Please allow at least seven (7) days for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver your 
payment. All  payments  must  be  made  in  U.S.  dollars. Any  payments  made  by 
check  or  other  negotiable  instrument  or  direct  debit  must  by  drawn  on  a  U.S. 
financial institution or a U.S. branch of a foreign bank. We do not accept payments 
made in foreign currency. The Credit Union can accept late or partial payments as 
well  as  payments  that  are  marked  with  “paid  in  full”  or  other  restrictive 
endorsements, without losing any of our rights under this Agreement to collect the 
full balance of your Account. To protect you and us, the Credit Union in its sole 
discretion may place a temporary freeze on all or part of the credit available to you 
for  new  purchases  or  cash  advances  under  the  agreement  any  time  the  Credit 
Union receives a large payment ($1,000.00 or more), by a method other than cash, 
certified funds or electronic transfer. In such cases, the Credit Union may freeze 
your credit line until payment is actually collected by us.
If you make a payment on this account utilizing a check, you authorize us either to 
use the information from your check to make a one-time electronic fund transfer 
from  your  checking/deposit  account  or  to  process  the  payment  as  a  check 
transaction.  When  we  use  information  from  your  check  to  make  an  electronic 
transfer fund, funds may be withdrawn from another financial account possibly the 
same day you make your payment, and you will not receive your check back from 
your  financial  institution.  For  inquiries,  or  to  opt  out  of  one-time  electronic  fund 
transfers, please contact us at 1-800-763-8600.

Minimum Payment Due – You can pay off your account balance in full each month 
or you can pay in monthly installments. If you do not pay your balance in full, you 
agree to pay at least a minimum payment of your New Balance (rounded to the 
nearest whole dollar) or $20.00, whichever is greater. If the New Balance shown on 
your periodic statement is $20.00 or less, you agree to pay this amount. Unless the 
Credit Union takes other action as a result of a default under this Agreement, the 
Minimum  Payment  Due  will  also  include  any  amount  that  is  past  due  and  any 
amount by which your new balance exceeds your credit limit. Payments and credit 
will be applied in the following order:

Payment Allocation:  Subject to any mandatory provisions of applicable law we 
will apply your minimum payment to previously billed unpaid finance charges; late 
charges and similar charges; balance with the lowest interest rate; Cash Advances 
and Purchases. You must pay the minimum payment on or before the due date 
each month, but you may pay more with all off the excess payment being applied 
to highest APR balances.
Minimum Balance is calculated as follows:

■  1.8% of balance or $20 minimum for APR’s 15.96% and under
■  3% of balance or $20 minimum on all APR’s over 15.96%

Returns and Adjustments – Merchants and others who honor your Card may 
give credit for returns or adjustments, and they will do so by sending the Credit 
Union a credit voucher, which will be posted to your Account. Returns/Adjustments 
from  merchants  are  applied  in  the  same  format  as  payments  received.  If  your 
credits and payments exceed what you owe the Credit Union, the amount will be 
credited  to  your  SAFE  member  account  or  we  may  send  you  a  check  on  the 
amount that exceeds your credit line. (See also Maximum Credit Limit)

Charges Made in Foreign Currencies – If you incur a charge (Purchase or Cash 
Advance)  in  foreign  currency,  the  charge  will  be  converted  into  a  U.S.  dollar 
amount in accordance with the operating regulations of VISA® International and 
MasterCard® in effect at the time that the transaction is processed. Currently, those 
Regulations provide that the currency conversion rate to be used is either: (a) a 
wholesale market rate; or (b) a government-mandated rate in effect one day prior 
to the processing date, increased by 1% (one percent) in each case. VISA® retains 
this  1%  as  compensation  for  performing  the  currency  conversion  service.  The 
currency conversion rate in effect on the processing date may differ from the rate 
in effect on the transaction date or the posting date. A fee of up to 1% of the amount 
of  the  transaction,  calculated  in  U.S.  dollars,  will  be  imposed  on  all  foreign 
transactions (using VISA or MasterCard), including purchases, cash withdrawals 
and  credits  to  your  account  that  may  go  through  single  or  multi-currency 
conversions.  A  foreign  transaction  is  any  transaction  that  you  complete  or  a 
merchant completes on your card outside of the U.S. and it’s Territories or the U.S. 
Virgin Islands and Territories.

Finance Charge – A FINANCE CHARGE computed on a monthly periodic rate 
(“MPR”) will begin to accrue for new Purchases, if you do not pay the New Balance 
in  full  within  25  days  after  the  billing  date  of  the  statement  on  which  the  new 
Purchases first appear. A FINANCE CHARGE is computed on a daily periodic rate 
for the first month of the transaction date on Cash Advance(s). Purchases and/or 
fees  will  be  computed  on  a  monthly  periodic  rate  (“MPR”)  (except  as  provided 
above), or the first day of the billing cycle, whichever is later, and will continue to 
be imposed until you have paid any outstanding balance in full. The Credit Union 
calculates the FINANCE CHARGE as follows:

1.   By applying the monthly periodic rate of your ACCOUNT, to the average daily 
balance of Purchases and Cash Advances. The monthly periodic rate and 
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE (APR) to be used is determined by the account 
applied for or approved by us pursuant to the terms of your application.
2.   To the total average daily balance on your Account, we take the beginning 
balance  of  your  Account  each  day,  add  any  new  Purchases  and  Cash 
Advances, unpaid Finance Charges, current late payment fees, and other 
fees if applicable, and subtract any payments or credits. This is your daily 

balance. Then we add all the daily balances for the billing cycle and divide 
the total by the number of days in the billing cycle. This gives the average 
daily balance. This determines the balance subject to the FINANCE CHARGE.
If you multiply the balance subject to the interest rate as shown on your monthly 
billing statement by the number of days in the billing period and then, multiply 
the  sum  by  the  applicable  DPRs,  the  results  will  be  the  interest  assessed, 
except for minor variations caused by rounding. We may from time to time offer 
you “special” or “promotional” APR offers. If any are in effect on your account 
we  will  separately  identify  the  balances  to  which  such  offers  apply  on  your 
monthly billing statement. These separate balances and the related interest will 
be calculated in the same manner as described above.

Interest  Rate  Adjustment  (Default  Rate)  –  From  time-to-time,  SAFE  Federal 
Credit Union obtains a credit report and will determine a change in your Annual 
Percentage Rate (APR). This change will occur if we determine that an adjustment 
is needed due to a change with your Credit Score or your credit report reflects a 
default  situation  in  your  agreement  with  us  (See  also  “Default”).  Interest  Rate 
Adjustment default may consist of three (3) consecutive Minimum Payments past 
due.  We  will  change  your  interest  rate  to  a  fixed  rate  of  17.96%  ANNUAL 
PERCENTAGE RATE, which is a monthly periodic rate of 1.50%, on the first day 
of the billing cycle following the cycle that was consecutively three (3) Minimum 
Payments past due. See also Credit Report. After six (6) consecutive billing cycles 
if  your  account  is  being  paid  pursuant  to  the  terms  of  your  agreement  with  the 
Credit Union, your rate will return to the prevailing rate prior to the rate increase. 
Default rate adjustment increasing the APR to the higher rate of 17.96% applies on 
all balances (including any promotional balances).
Monthly  Statement  –  We  will  send  you  a  monthly  billing  statement  whenever 
there is activity on your account. Your monthly statement will show an itemized list 
of  current  charges  (Purchases  and  Cash  Advances)  and  Convenience  Check 
transactions  to  your  account,  your  new  balance,  any  Finance  Charges,  the 
minimum payment due, and the payment due date. In addition, it will show your 
current credit limit, payments, and credits, a summary showing your Purchases 
and  Cash Advances,  the  merchant,  electronic  terminal  or  financial  institution  at 
which  transactions  were  made,  as  well  as  other  information  concerning  your 
account. Sales, Cash Advance, credit or other receipts cannot be retuned with any 
statement.  You  will  retain  a  copy  of  such  receipt  furnished  at  the  time  of  the 
transaction in order to verify your monthly statement.
Avoid Paying Interest on Purchases – On purchases, interest begins to accrue 
as of the transaction. However, you may avoid paying interest on purchases in any 
given billing cycle if you pay your current balance in full by the payment due date 
each month. For balance transfers, interest will accrue from the day we send the 
balance  transfer  to  the  payee.  For  Checks,  interest  will  accrue  on  the  day  the 
payee accepts the Check. For Cash Advances, interest will accrue from the day 
you take the Cash Advance. The amount of the minimum interest charge that will 
be  assessed  on  your  account  in  any  billing  cycle  in  which  you  owe  interest  is 
disclosed in the summary table.
ATM Access – If you have received a personal identification number (PIN), you 
may  use  your  Card  and  PIN  to  obtain  Cash Advances  at  any Automatic  Teller 
Machine (“ATM”) that accepts your Card. Your PIN is confidential and should not 
be disclosed to anyone. You agree not to write your PIN on your Card, you will not 
keep your Card and PIN together, and you will not provide your PIN to anyone who 
is  not  an  authorized  user.  Except  as  otherwise  provided  in  this  agreement, 
advances through ATM access or using your Credit Card will be treated as Cash 
Advances under this Agreement. Advances at authorized ATMs are limited to a 
total of $300.00 during any 24-hour period.
Not all ATMs displaying the VISA® or MasterCard® logo are surcharge free when 
obtaining Cash Advances. A notice from the financial institution operating an ATM 
will  provide  a  notice  that  a  fee  may  be  imposed  by  them  or  by  any  national, 
regional,  or  local  network  used  to  complete  the  transaction.  You  will  have  the 
option  to  continue  with  your  transaction  if  you  agree  to  the  fee(s)  imposed  or 

cancel. If you continue with the transaction, the fee will be added as part of your 
Cash Advance total.
Additional Benefits/Card Enhancements – The Credit Union may from time to 
time offer additional services or special promotions to your card Account, such as 
skip payments, travel accident insurance, purchase rewards or rebates at no or 
nominal  cost  to  you.  You  understand  that  the  Credit  Union  is  not  obligated  to 
continue or to offer such services and may withdraw or change them at any time.
Skip  Payment  Option  –  From  time  to  time,  we  may  offer  a  special  program 
allowing  you  to  “skip”  a  payment  on  your  Card.  You  understand  that  we  will 
continue to apply finance charges to your account. Beginning with the billing cycle 
following an allowed skip payment period, all other provisions of this Agreement 
will apply.
ScoreCard Rewards Program – The following Terms and Conditions apply to the 
Scorecard Rewards Program. Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully. 
Use  of  your  SAFE  credit  card  account  will  automatically  enroll  you  into  the 
ScoreCard Rewards Program. Program eligibility is restricted to SAFE cardholders 
with accounts in good standing as determined in our sole discretion. Your card will 
not be in good standing for reasons that include, but are not limited to (a) your 
account  has  been  closed;  (b)  a  payment  has  not  been  made  when  due;  (c)  a 
payment made to us is not honored by your financial institution of where it was 
drawn  from;  or  (d)  if  you  do  not  maintain  the  level  of  credit  performance  you 
maintained when approved. The account may only be used for personal, family or 
household purposes. You must be a consumer and you must reside in the United 
States. If you do not keep your account open and current your enrollment in the 
program may be cancelled and any unredeemed point may be cancelled.

Point  Accrual  and  Redemption:  Cardmembers  earn  Points  in  the  program. 
Points  are  the  measure  used  to  value  rewards  for  redemption.  If  a  card  has 
multiple  cardholders,  the  Points  will  be  assigned  to  the  account  of  the  primary 
cardholder of the card. Cardmembers earn Points in the following amounts based 
upon the type of account:

One (1) point per one dollar ($1) on  
Purchases and Point-of-Sale transactions
Points earned are based on the new net retail transaction activity (i.e. purchases 
less credits, cash advances, returns and adjustments) charged to the card each 
periodic billing cycle. When a purchase or transaction is not a whole dollar amount, 
any fraction equal to or greater than $0.45 will be rounded up to the nearest whole 
dollar and any fraction equal to or less than $0.44 be rounded down to the nearest 
whole dollar.
Redeem  points  by  accessing  www.scorecardrewards.com  and  browse  their 
catalog  or  by  calling  800-854-0790,  Monday-Friday  between  9  a.m.-11  p.m.  to 
request  a  catalog.  For  travel  redemption  you  can  call  800-842-3006  Monday-
Friday between 9 a.m.-9p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Travel 
department is closed on all official holidays. Points cannot be redeemed for cash.
Exceeding Your Credit Limit – Credit Union does not permit accounts to exceed 
the assigned credit line. We have no liability if you go over your credit limit due to 
transaction(s) being processed that overlap; and fees or other charges occurring 
simultaneously. The  excess  amount  over  your  credit  limit  will  be  added  to  your 
minimum payment and is payable on or before your payment due date.
Late Payment Fee – Credit Union will charge your account a late payment fee of 
$25.00 on any portion of the scheduled payment for each billing period in which 
your minimum payment is not received within three (3) days of your statement due 
date per month. This fee will be added to your account balance.
Returned Payment or Insufficient Funds Fee – Credit Union will charge your 
account a $25.00 fee if your check or similar payment instrument is not honored or 
if we must return it to you because it cannot be processed. This fee will be added 
to  your  account  balance.  Additionally,  the  return  item  may  cause  credit  card 
account payment to be late, Late Payment Fee will be applied (see Late Payment 
Fee).

Charge  for  Copies  and  Card  Replacement  –  If  you  ask  for  a  copy  of  any 
document, such as a sales receipt, Convenience Check, or billing statement, a 
charge of $10.00 per hour may be imposed for the time it takes to research and 
locate the document. In addition, a copying fee of $2.00 per copy will be imposed. 
However,  no  charge  will  be  imposed  in  connection  with  any  actual  or  asserted 
billing error. We may charge a $15.00 fee to replace a lost/stolen card starting with 
second replacement. Fee may be waived with submission of a police report.
Convenience  Checks  – Any  individual  cardholder  or  authorized  user  can  use 
Convenience Checks to purchase goods and services or to obtain cash up to the 
amount of your available credit limit unless that amount will cause you to exceed 
your credit limit. We will treat Convenience Checks as Cash Advances and will 
charge them against your credit limit. We may decline to honor a Convenience 
Check  if  it  brings  you  over  your  credit  limit,  you  are  in  default,  your  account 
privileges have been canceled, or your Card has expired. The Credit Union will 
charge  you  a  fee  of  up  to  $25.00  if  we  return  the  Convenience  Check  due  to 
unavailability of credit line as a Returned Check fee. The fee will be added to your 
account balance. You may not use Convenience Checks to pay any amount that 
you owe the Credit Union under this or any other credit agreement with the Credit 
Union. Credit Union will not certify any Convenience Checks, nor will the Credit 
Union  return  paid  convenience  Checks  to  you.  It  is  in  the  Credit  Union’s  sole 
discretion to issue Convenience Checks to any member.

Convenience  Check  Stop  Payment  –  Convenience  Checks  are  considered 
Cash and are categorized as “Cash Advances” and there is No Stop Payment 
Order option. (See also Adjustment for Purchases)
Merchant Disputes – The Credit Union is not responsible for the refusal of any 
merchant  or  financial  institution  to  honor  your  Card  except  as  set  forth  in  the 
Special Rules for Credit Card Purchases set forth at the end of this Agreement.

Your Responsibility and Liability for Unauthorized Use and Lost or Stolen 
Cards or Convenience Checks – If your Card or Convenience Checks are lost or 
stolen, or if you are afraid someone used or may use them without your permission, 
you must notify the Credit Union at once by calling (800) 763-8600, or providing 
written notice to: SAFE Federal Credit Union, PO Box 2000, Sumter, SC 29151-
2008.  If  notice  is  given  orally,  you  will  promptly  confirm  it  in  writing.  The 
Credit Union may require you to provide us certain information in writing to help us 
investigate any unauthorized use. Further, you agree to cooperate and assist us or 
any government or law enforcement agent or agency in investigating, collecting or 
pursuing any other rights (civil and criminal) relating to any unauthorized use. In 
this regard, you agree to file an appropriate police report when asked to do so. Do 
Not use the Card or the Convenience Checks after you have notified the Credit 
Union, even if you find them or have them returned to you. Unless you have been 
grossly  negligent  or  have  engaged  in  fraud,  you  will  not  be  liable  for  any 
unauthorized transaction using your lost or stolen card. You will not be liable for 
any unauthorized use after you have notified the Credit Union of the loss, theft or 
unauthorized user.
Default – You will be in default if (a) you fail to pay the Minimum Payment Due by 
the Payment Due Date (See also Default Rate); (b) the Credit Union, in its sole 
discretion, feels insecure (For example: Our good faith belief that your ability to pay 
your account is impaired; use of your account in any manner or in any way that 
may expose the Credit Union to a risk or loss; etc.) through information obtained 
from  outside  sources  (e.g.  Equifax  credit  report);  (c)  your  ability  to  repay  is 
materially  reduced  by  a  change  in  your  employment,  by  an  increase  in  your 
obligations, by bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings involving you, by your death, 
or (for community property state residents only) by a change in marital status or 
domicile;  (d)  you  have  made  a  false  or  misleading  statement  to  us  in  your 
application or otherwise, (e) you are in default under any other agreement with us; 
(f) if you use or authorize the use of any Card(s) to make or facilitate any illegal 
transactions;  or  (g)  you  fail  to  perform  any  of  your  other  obligations  under  the 
terms of this Agreement as it may be amended from time to time. Upon default, we 

may close your Account to future purchases and advances and, to the extent not 
prohibited by Governing Law, demand immediate payment of your entire Account 
balance, after giving you any notice and opportunity to cure the default if required 
by  applicable  law.  The  Credit  Union’s  sole  obligation  hereunder  with  regard  to 
determining and declaring an event of default is the exercise of “good faith” based 
on its subjective understanding of applicable facts.

CROSS-COLLATERILIZATION: I grant to SAFE FCU a lien on all shares and 
agree that all collateral pledged to secure any loan obligation will secure payment 
of my other obligations. This pledge will secure all obligations owed at the time 
of  the  pledge  or  which  arise  thereafter.  This  “cross-collateralization”  of  my 
obligations  applies  to  all  debts  regarding  my  accounts,  loans  or  otherwise, 
including but not limited to each closed-end loan obligation, each advance under 
any  open-end  loan  plan,  overdrafts,  and  all  obligations  under  any  credit  card 
agreement including a purchase-money security interest in all items purchased 
with my card and a security interest in all present or future sums deposited in the 
credit union. Unless a contrary intent is evidenced in writing, obligations secured 
by my primary residence, deposits in an IRA Account, and my household goods 
(other than purchase-money) are not included in the “cross-collateralization” of 
my obligations to SAFE FCU.

Your  default  as  listed  within  (a)-(g)  authorizes  us  to  implement  your 
agreement to us pledging all savings and deposits as payments and earnings of 
present  and  future  savings  and  deposits  with  us.  In  case  you  default,  we  may 
apply these savings and deposits to the payment of all sums due including the 
unpaid  principal,  the  finance  charge  and  any  costs  of  expenses,  including 
reasonable attorney fees that we may occur.

Collection  Costs  – You  agree  to  pay  all  costs  incurred  by  the  Credit  Union  in 
collecting any amounts you owe or in enforcing or protecting the Credit Union’s 
rights under this Agreement, including attorneys’ fees of 20% of the unpaid balance 
or such greater sum as may be reasonable, and also those costs, expenses and 
attorneys’ 
in  any  appellate,  bankruptcy  and  post-judgment 
proceedings, except as limited or prohibited by applicable law.

incurred 

fees 

We are not responsible for refusals to honor your Card or Checks. Except as 
required by applicable law or regulation, we will not be responsible for merchandize 
or services purchased or leased through use of your card.
Arbitration – At the election of either you or us, any claim, dispute or controversy 
by either you or us against the other, or against the employees, agents or assigns 
of the other, arising from or relating in any way to the Agreement or your account 
or any transaction on your Account including (without limitation) claims based on 
contract, fraud, agency negligence, statutory or regulatory provisions or any other 
source  of  law  and  (except  as  specifically  provided  in  this  Agreement)  claims 
regarding  the  applicability  of  the  arbitration  clause  or  the  validity  of  the  entire 
agreement shall be resolved exclusively and finally by binding arbitration under the 
rules and procedures of the arbitration administrator selected at the time the claim 
is filed. The administrator selection process is set forth below. For purposes of this 
provision, “you” includes any authorized user on the account, any of your agents, 
beneficiaries  or  assigns;  and  “we”  or  “us”  include  our  employees,  parents, 
subsidiaries, affiliates and marketing partners. Claims made and remedies sought 
as part of a class action, private attorney general or other representative action 
(hereafter  all  included  in  the  “class  action”)  are  subject  to  arbitration  on  an 
individual bases, not on a class or representative bases.

Alternatively, you and we may pursue a claim within the jurisdiction of the Court 
in South Carolina or the equivalent court in your home jurisdiction (each a “Small 
Claims Court”), provided that the action remains in that court, is made on behalf of 
or against you only and not made part of a class action, private attorney general 
action or other representative or collective action. Further, you and we agree not to 
seek to enforce this arbitration provision or otherwise commence arbitration based 
on the same claims in any brought before the Small Claims Court.

The party initiating arbitration shall utilize the company or individual licensed 
with the American Arbitration Association in South Carolina. List of arbitrators can 
be found under www.alllaw.com/find-an-attorney, to administer the arbitration. The 
Administrator  provides  information  about  arbitration,  its  arbitration  rules  and 

procedures, fee schedule and claim forms at its web site or by mail as set forth 
above. The claim will be heard before a single arbitrator, whose authority is limited 
exclusively to the resolution of claims between you and us and to providing an 
award  effective  only  on  behalf  of  you  and/or  us.  The  arbitration  will  not  be 
consolidated  with  any  other  arbitration  proceedings.  The  administrator  shall 
resolve each dispute in accordance with applicable law.

If you commence arbitration, you must provide us the notice required by the 
administrator’s  rules  and  procedures.  The  notice  may  be  sent  to  us  at  SAFE 
Federal Credit Union, PO Box 2008, Sumter, SC 29151-2008. If we commence 
arbitration we will provide you notice at your last known billing address. We agree 
to honor your request to remove the action to a Small Claims Court, provided that 
we receive the request within thirty days of the of commencement of arbitration. 
Any arbitration hearing at which you appear will take place at a location within the 
federal judicial district that includes your billing address at the time the claim is 
filed.  This  arbitration  agreement  is  made  pursuant  to  a  transaction  involving 
interstate commerce, and shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act 9 U.S.C 
§§1-16. Judgment upon any arbitration award may be entered in any court having 
jurisdiction. NO class actions joiner or consolidations of any claim with a claim of 
any  other  person  or  entity  shall  be  allowable  in  arbitration,  without  the  written 
consent of both you and us. In the event that there is a dispute about whether 
limiting arbitration of the parties’ dispute to a non-class proceedings is enforceable 
under applicable law, then that question shall be resolved by litigation in a court 
rather than by the arbitrator; and to the extent it is determined that resolution of a 
claim shall proceed on a class basis, it shall so proceed in a court of competent 
jurisdiction rather than in arbitration.

We will pay, reimburse you for all fees or costs to the extent required by law, or 
the rules of the arbitration administrator. Whether or not required by law or such 
rules, if you prevail at arbitration on any claim against us, we will reimburse you for 
any fees paid to the administrator in connection with the arbitration proceedings. In 
addition, in any arbitration that you elect to file that could be heard in Small Claims 
Court in your jurisdiction, we will pay the filing fees and other arbitration fees above 
the cost of filing with Small Claims Court.

This arbitration agreement applies to all claims now in existence or that may 
arise in the future except for claims by or against any unaffiliated third party to 
whom ownership of your account may be assigned, in which case this arbitration 
agreement will apply only if you or the third party chose arbitration. This arbitration 
agreement survives the termination of the cardmember agreement or the account 
relationship, including your payment in full and your filing of bankruptcy. Nothing in 
this agreement shall be construed to prevent any party’s use of (or advancement 
of any claims, defenses, or offsets in) bankruptcy or repossession, replevin (AKA 
‘claim and delivery’), judicial foreclosure or any other prejudgment or provisional 
remedy relating to any collateral, security or property interests for contractual debts 
now or hereafter owed by either party to the other under this agreement.

ARBITRATION  WITH  RESPECT  TO  A  CLAIM  IS  BINDING  AND  NEITHER 
YOU NOR WE WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO LITIGATE THAT CLAIM THROUGH A 
COURT. IN ARBITRATION YOU AND WE WILL NOT HAVE THE RIGHTS THAT 
ARE PROVIDED IN COURT INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JUDGE OR 
JURY  AND  THE  RIGHT  TO  PARTICIPATE  OR  BE  REPRESENTED  IN 
PROCEEDINGS  BROUGHT  BY  OTHERS  SUCH  AS  CLASS  ACTIONS  OR 
SIMILAR PROCEEDINGS. IN ADDITION, THE RIGHT TO DISCOVERY AND THE 
RIGHT TO APPEAL ARE ALSO  LIMITED  OR  ELIMINATED  BY ARBITRATION. 
ALL OF THESE RIGHTS ARE WAIVED AND ALL CLAIMS MUST BE RESOLVED 
THROUGH ARBITRATION.

Limitation of Lawsuits – You agree that any lawsuit based on a cause of action 
against us must be filed within one year from the date it arises, or you shall be 
barred from filing any lawsuit. This limitation includes tort, contract and all other 
causes of action for which you and we may lawfully contract to limit.

Credit  Reports  –  We  report  your  performance  under  this Agreement  to  credit 
reporting agencies and secure follow-up credit reports on you for any legitimate 
business reason, including if you fail to make your minimum payments on time. 
Information  on  credit  reports  determine  Annual  Percentage  Rate  as  well  as 
continued Card privileges. We can reinvestigate and reevaluate any information 
you provide on your Visa®/MasterCard® application at any time, and in the course 
of  doing  so,  we  may  ask  you  to  provide  additional  information,  request  credit 
bureau reports and/or otherwise verify your current credit standing.
Access to Account Information: You agree that all borrowers will have access to 
information  regarding  transactions  on  your  account,  including  but  not  limited  to 
purchases and cash advances, account balances, account history, payments and 
other information relating to or arising with regard to this account or any transaction.
Credit Counseling – The list of Credit Counseling Agencies Approved Pursuant to 
11 U.S.C. § 111 can be located via the internet under the Justice Department web 
page  www.federalreserve.gov/creditcard  or  call  1-800-763-8600  ext.  2375.  A 
SAFE  Member  Service  employee  will  provide  you  names  and  numbers  of 
counseling agencies.
Correcting  the  Credit  Union  Credit  Report  –  If  you  think  the  Credit  Union 
reported  erroneous  information  about  you  to  a  credit  reporting  agency,  call  the 
Credit  Union  at  the  telephone  number  listed  on  your  monthly  billing  statement. 
Credit Union will promptly investigate the matter. Credit Union will contact each 
credit  reporting  agency  whose  records  may  reflect  an  error.  Credit  Union  will 
require them to correct your report if its investigation decides that you were correct. 
If Credit Union disagrees with you after the investigation, Credit Union will advise 
you, in writing or by phone, and instruct you how to submit to those agencies a 
statement of your position that will become a part of your credit record with them. 
The instruction will include the name, address, and phone number of each such 
agency, along with other pertinent information.
Changing  This Agreement  –  The  Credit  Union  may  change  the  terms  of  this 
Agreement,  including  the Annual  Percentage  Rate,  suspension  of  future  credit 
privileges  or  termination  of  an  account  or  plan  at  any  time.  See  section  ‘Credit 
Reports’. Except where limited by applicable law, the new terms, including, but not 
limited to, increasing the finance charge or the way the Credit Union calculates 
finance charges, late charges, and the minimum payment due, will apply both to 
new  purchases  and  cash  advances;  as  well  as  existing  outstanding  balance  of 
your account as of the day of the change. In accordance with applicable law, the 
Credit Union will notify you of any increased charge or change by writing to you at 
the most recent address shown for you on the Credit Union’s records.
Delay in Enforcement/Waivers – The Credit Union may delay or waive enforce-
ment of any of the provisions of this Agreement, including any agreements to make 
timely payments, without losing its right to enforce the same provision later or any 
other provisions of this Agreement. You waive the right to receive notice of any 
waiver or delay or presentment, demand, protest or dishonor. You also waive any 
applicable statute of limitations to the full extent permitted by law and any right you 
may otherwise have to require the Credit Union to proceed against any person 
before suing you to collect. You understand that the Credit Union will not be liable 
for a merchant’s or other parties’ refusal to honor your Card whether due to an error 
by the Credit Union, the merchant, the Credit Union’s authorized agent, or other 
third party.
Change of Name, Address or Employment – Billing statements and notices will 
be sent to the address shown in our files. If this is a joint account, we may send 
billing statements and notices to either of you. You agree to notify us in writing if 
your name, home address, or employment changes.

Additional  Terms  of  Visa®/MasterCard®  Agreement  –  To  the  extent  not 
prohibited  by  applicable  law,  the  terms,  interpretation  and  enforcement  of  any 
claim  or  dispute  arising  under  this Agreement,  as  well  as  all  parties’  rights  and 
duties, will be governed by South Carolina law regardless where you may reside or 
use  your  account.  Further,  this  Agreement  is  the  contract,  which  governs  all 
transactions on your Account even though sales, cash advances, credit, or other 
receipts may contain different terms. You may not transfer or assign your account 
or Card to any other person. The Credit Union may assign or transfer this Account, 
your Account balance, or this Agreement to another person, who will have all of our 
rights hereunder. This Agreement is binding on your heirs and legal representatives. 
If there are joint obligors for the credit plan, each of you will have the right to use 
the Account to obtain loans pursuant to the terms hereof. Each of you will be liable 
for all obligations owing on the Account whether borrowed by you or otherwise and 
whether  within  or  beyond  the  credit  limit. Your  liability  will  be  joint  and  several. 
Either  party  has  the  right  to  cancel  this  Agreement.  Further,  each  of  you  is 
responsible for all amounts borrowed by any authorized user(s). You remain, at all 
times, primarily responsible for all amounts owed for transactions performed by 
authorized  users.  All  Cards,  billing  statements  and  notices  will  be  mailed  or 
delivered to the address given on the application for either applicant unless you 
direct otherwise in writing. If any low or judicial ruling makes any provision of this 
Agreement unenforceable, the other provisions will remain in full force and effect. 
You agree that your account will also be subject to all rules and regulations of Visa® 
U.S.A. Inc./MasterCard, Inc.®
Insurance  –  If  you  elect  insurance,  as  set  forth  in  your  application,  then  the 
charges  will  be  added  to  your Account  balance  each  month,  if  your  insurance 
application is approved. Note: Maximum age for Life Insurance will terminate in the 
month of your 70th birthdate. Maximum age for Credit Disability will terminate in 
the month of your 66th birthdate.
Automatic  Payment  Option  –  You  must  request  directly  with  Card  Services 
Department to be set up with Automatic Payment Option. Options for Automatic 
pay are (a) Minimum Payments; (b) Partial Payment (must be more than Minimum 
Payment);  (c)  Full  Payment.  Payments  can  be  deducted  from  your  designated 
account on or before your Payment Due Date. If your designated account does not 
contain sufficient funds as set up, no automatic deduction will be made; we will bill 
you for the Minimum Payment Due; and your credit card account will be charged a 
$25.00 insufficient funds fee. Additional fees may be imposed from your account 
that  was  designated  for  payment.  If  you  receive  a  statement  due  to  insufficient 
funds  from  your  designated  account,  you  will  be  responsible  for  making  the 
payment by some other means.
Illegal Transactions – You warrant and agree that your Credit Card, other access 
device  or  any  related  account  will  not  be  used  to  make  or  facilitate  any  illegal 
transaction(s) as determined by applicable law; and that any such use, including 
any such authorized use, will constitute an event of default under this Agreement. 
The Credit Union may decline to accept, process or pay any transaction that we 
believe to be illegal or unenforceable (regarding your obligation to pay us) under 
applicable law, including but not limited to any transaction involving or relating to 
any gambling activity. You agree that the Credit Union will not have any liability, 
responsibility or culpability whatsoever for any such use by you or any authorized 
user(s); or for declining to accept, process, or pay any such transaction. You further 
agree  to  indemnify  and  hold  the  Credit  Union  harmless  from  any  suits,  liability, 
damages or adverse action of any kind that results directly or indirectly from such 
illegal use.

*********************
YOUR BILLING RIGHTS
*********************

KEEP THIS NOTICE FOR FUTURE USE

This notice tells you about your rights and our responsibilities under the Fair 
Credit Billing Act.

What To Do If You Find A Mistake On Your Statement

If you think there is an error on your statement, write to us at:

SAFE Federal Credit Union
PO Box 2008
Sumter, SC 29151-2008

You may also contact us on the Web: www.safefed.org

In your letter, give us the following information:

•  Account information: Your name and account number.
•  Dollar amount: The dollar amount of the suspected error.
• 

 Description of problem: If you think there is an error on your bill, describe 
what you believe is wrong and why you believe it is a mistake.

You must contact us:

•  Within 60 days after the error appeared on your statement.
• 

 At least 3 business days before an automated payment is scheduled, if you 
want to stop payment on the amount you think is wrong.

You must notify us of any potential errors in writing or call us, but if you do we are 
not  required  to  investigate  any  potential  errors  and  you  may  have  to  pay  the 
amount in question.

What Will Happen After We Receive Your Letter?

When we receive your letter, we must do two things:

1.   Within 30 days of receiving your letter, we must tell you that we received 

your letter. We will also tell you if we have already corrected the error.

2.   Within 90 days of receiving your letter, we must either correct the error or 

explain to you why we believe the bill is correct.

While we investigate whether or not there has been an error:

• 

• 

• 

 We cannot try to collect the amount in question, or report you as delinquent 
on that amount.
 The charge in question may remain on your statement, and we may continue 
to charge you interest on that amount.
 While you do not have to pay the amount in question, you are responsible 
for the remainder of your balance.

•  We can apply any unpaid amount against your credit limit.

After we finish our investigation, one of two things will happen:

• 

• 

 If there is a mistake: You will not have to pay the amount in question or any 
interest or other fees related to that amount.
 If we do not believe there was a mistake: You will have to pay the amount in 
question,  along  with  applicable  interest  and  fees.  We  will  send  you  a 
statement of the amount you owe and the date payment is due. We may 
then report you as delinquent if you do not pay the amount we think you 
owe.

If you receive our explanation but still believe your bill is wrong, you must write to 
us within 10 days telling us that you still refuse to pay. If you do so, we cannot 
report you as delinquent without also reporting that you are questioning your bill. 
We must tell you the name of anyone to whom we reported you as delinquent, and 
we must let those organizations know when the matter has been settled between 
us.

If we do not follow all of the rules above, you do not have to pay the first $50 of the 
amount you question even if your bill is correct.

Your Rights If You Are Dissatisfied  
With Your Credit Card Purchases
If you are dissatisfied with the goods or services that you have purchased with your 
credit  card  and  you  have  tried  in  good  faith  to  correct  the  problem  with  the 
merchant, you may have the right not to pay the remaining amount due on the 
purchase. To use this right, all of the following must be true:

1.   The purchase must have been made in your home state or within 100 miles 
of your current mailing address, and the purchase price must have been 
more than $50. (Note: Neither of these are necessary if your purchase was 
based on an advertisement we mailed to you, or if we are affiliated with the 
company that sold you the goods or services.)

2.   You must have used your credit card for the purchase. Purchases made with 
cash advances from an ATM or with a check that accesses your credit card 
account do not qualify.

3.   You must not yet have fully paid for the purchase.

If all of the criteria above are met and you are still dissatisfied with the purchase, 
contact us in writing.

While we investigate, the same rules apply to the disputed amount as discussed 
above. After we finish our investigation, we will tell you our decision. At that point, 
if  we  think  you  owe  an  amount  and  you  do  not  pay,  we  may  report  you  as 
delinquent.

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