Return Guard

OVERDRAFT PRIVILEGE FOR YOUR CHECKING ACCOUNT When there’s not quite enough in your checking account… Having a check returned due to insufficient funds can be a costly and humiliating experience. That’s why we provide “Return Guard,” a special overdraft privilege for Credit Union of Georgia’s members. Return Guard gives you an added level of protection against unanticipated cash flow emergencies and account reconciliation errors. At Credit Union of Georgia, we do not encourage overdrafts. As always, we encourage you to manage your finances responsibly. The purpose of this privilege is to save you from the embarrassment, additional merchant fees or other problems that might result if a check is returned. What is Return Guard? Return Guard is an overdraft privilege limit that is automatically assigned to your account. There is no action required on your part. You do not need to sign anything. Never bounce checks! Return Guard is a safety net that prevents items from being returned. It costs you nothing unless you use it ($30 per item). How does Return Guard work? As long as you maintain your account in good standing (defined as making regular deposits and bringing your account to a positive balance at least once every 30 days), Credit Union of Georgia may honor overdrafts up to the Return Guard limit on your account. Return Guard is used after Overdraft Transfers and Overdraft Protection. Overdraft transfers and overdraft protection will always be used first. Return Guard is there for those unexpected occurrences. Don’t have Overdraft Transfers or Overdraft Protection? We can set up overdraft transfer or process your overdraft protection application today! Checking account balance getting low? Pay those bills without incurring any late charges. Write the check without having to pay from another source. What does my Return Guard cost? There is no additional cost associated with this privilege unless you use it. However, you should keep in mind that you will be charged a Return Guard fee of $30 for each item paid under the limit. What is my Return Guard limit? If I have two checking accounts, can I get Return Guard on both? Locate your account type below and make note of the corresponding limit. If you have multiple accounts for your household, you may have a limit on all eligible accounts. Varsity Checking $100 Classic Checking $400 Preferred Checking $750 Benefits Checking $750 Money Market Draft Account $750 How do I know when I use the overdraft limit? What if I go beyond my Return Guard limit? You will receive an overdraft notice in the mail each time items are paid. Overdrafts above and beyond your established Return Guard limit may result in a check or checks being returned to the payee. The normal NSF fee will be charged per item and assessed to your account. So as not to exceed your limit if you use Return Guard, you should note that the amount of the overdraft plus our standard NSF fee of $30 for each item will be deducted from your overdraft limit. How quickly must I repay my Return Guard? You should make every attempt to bring your account to a positive balance within 30 days. If you are notable to do so, you will receive a letter from Credit Union of Georgia informing you of the situation and your options. If, after a period of time, your account has not been brought to a positive balance, we may suspend your overdraft privilege limit and take other steps to recover funds.  How soon can I use my Return Guard? If you are a new active account holder, you may be able to use the overdraft privilege limit assigned to your account 30 days after the account is opened. What are some of the ways I may have access to my Return Guard limit? Will my limit be reflected in the balance I receive? The chart below is designed to make you aware of the different ways you can access your Return Guard limit and whether or not this limit will be reflected in the balance provided. ACCESS POINTS IS MY RETURN GUARD LIMIT AVAILABLE? DOES THE BALANCE PROVIDED REFLECT MY RETURN GUARD LIMIT? Writing A Check  Yes -NA- Debit/Check Card Yes -NA- ATM Withdrawal Yes No ACH-Auto Debit Yes -NA- eBranch Yes No MARS (Member Audio Response System ) Yes No By keeping accurate records and knowing your balance, you can avoid mistakenly accessing your limit and incurring NSF fees. The best way to do this is to use your checkbook register to keep track of your deposits, written checks, withdrawals including service charges, ATM and check card transactions. Always reconcile your register with your monthly statement. Opting Out? Any draft will be returned to the payee for non-sufficient funds (NSF). You will be charged the $30 NSF fee per item and subject to additional fees from the company that receives the returned check. What if I do not want to have Return Guard on my checking account? In the event you would like to have this service removed from your account, you may do so by calling 678-486-1111.However, once this service is removed, you should keep in mind that if an item is presented for payment and there are not sufficient funds in your account, the item will be returned to the payee and our standard NSF fee of $30 will be charged per item.