| Q: | What is the Provident Bank MasterCard® Gift Card, and how does it work? |
| A: | The Provident Bank MasterCard® Gift Card is a prepaid MasterCard® card that can be used to purchase goods and services anywhere MasterCard debit cards are accepted, at millions of locations worldwide. It is not a credit card. A gift card carries a specific dollar amount that has been loaded on to it, minus the amount of purchases on the card as well as fees that have been assessed against the card. When you buy something with the card, the balance on the card is lowered by the purchase amount. |
| Return to Top |
 |
| Q: | How is this gift card different from other gift cards or gift certificates? |
| A: | With store gift cards or gift certificates, you can only make purchases at that particular store. With the Provident Bank MasterCard® Gift Card, you are able to use the card at a multitude of stores, for a variety of things. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | How do I purchase a Provident Bank MasterCard® Gift Card? |
| A: | You can purchase a Provident Bank MasterCard® Gift Card by visiting a conveniently located Provident branch. Please visit www.provbank.com for a list of our branches. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | How do I activate the gift card? |
| A: | Your gift card should be active when the sales associate hands it over to you. If your card seems not to have been activated, please call 1-888-553-4109 for assistance. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | Does the card expire? |
| A: | The gift card expires on the date printed on the front of the card. Should your card be inactive for six months, a monthly maintenance fee of $1.00 will begin to be deducted from your balance each month. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | Can I add money to the card? |
| A: | No, additional money may not be added onto the card. You can purchase additional Provident Bank MasterCard® Gift Cards at one of our banking centers. Please visit www.provbank.com for a list of our branches. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | How do I check how much money is left on the card? |
| A: | To receive a list of your most recent transactions or your balance, visit the Cardholder Access page from http://www.provbank.com/giftcard/ or call 1-888-553-4109. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | What do I do if the card is lost/stolen? |
| A: | Call 1-888-553-4109 immediately. You will need to have the card number to cancel the card. Therefore, you should record your gift card number and the 3-digit code on the back of the card and store them in a secured place separate from the card. Lost or stolen gift cards are not automatically eligible for refunds or claims. For more information, refer to your Terms and Conditions. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | What do I do if my card doesn’t seem to be working? |
| A: | Call 1-888-553-4109 to speak to a customer service representative |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | Will I get a monthly statement? |
| A: | No. But you can inquire about your remaining balance and/or most recent transactions by visiting the Cardholder Access page from http://www.provbank.com/giftcard/. Or call 1-888-553-4109. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | Can I use the gift card at an ATM? |
| A: | No, your card cannot be used for ATM cash withdrawals. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | How do I use the card to make a purchase? |
| A: | Use the card the same way that you would use a credit card. Select "credit" at the point of sale and sign for the purchase rather than entering a PIN. Purchases made must be for an amount less than or equal to the balance remaining on the card. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | Can I use the card to make online and over-the-phone purchases? |
| A: | Yes, but if you plan to use the card for online and telephone order purchases, it is especially important for you to visit the Cardholder Access page from http://www.provbank.com/giftcard/ as soon as possible. Upon logging in to the site, you will have the opportunity to update the Cardholder information with your name and address and contact information. Once you have completed this action, no further updates are possible. Make sure to update your name and address correctly before attempting online and telephone order purchases, because most merchants verify these pieces of information on those kinds of purchases. If you have not registered your correct name and address information, it’s possible that you won’t be able to complete online and telephone order purchases. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | The item I want to purchase is more than the amount left on the gift card. Is there any way I can use the gift card toward this purchase? |
| A: | Sometimes, but not always, merchants will "split" a transaction for you, allowing you to pay partly with your gift card and pay the rest with another payment method. Follow these steps in order to use the gift card successfully in this situation:
- Let the merchant know in advance that you’d like to use two methods of payment.
- Present the card and state the specific amount to be deducted.
- Pay the difference with a second method of payment (e.g., your Provident debit card, cash, etc.)
Otherwise, if you try to make a purchase for more than the amount on the gift card, the transaction will be declined. It is important to keep track of your remaining card balance so you know the funds that you have available To check the balance on the gift card or to consult your transaction history:
Visit the Cardholder Access page from http://www.provbank.com/giftcard/ to track your balance or transaction history. You may also call 1-888-553-4109 anytime to make automated balance or transaction history inquiries. When calling, make sure that you have the 16-digit card number and 3-digit code on the back of the card. Your first two automated telephone transaction inquiries per month are free. Each subsequent automated telephone transaction inquiry during any month incurs a $1.00 charge, to be assessed against the balance of your Provident Bank MasterCard® Gift Card. Your first use of live customer service per month is free. Each subsequent use of live customer service during any month incurs a $2.00 charge, to be assessed against the balance of your Provident Bank MasterCard® Gift Card. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | Will I be charged a fee for using the card at a merchant? |
| A: | No, you will not be charged with a fee for making a purchase. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | Are there any fees for using the card? |
| A: | Not for using the card, but it is possible to incur fees on the card for other reasons. For instance, should your card remain inactive for 6 months, Provident will begin to assess a $1 maintenance charge monthly. In addition, your first two automated telephone transaction inquiries per month are free. Each subsequent automated telephone transaction inquiry during any month incurs a $1.00 charge, to be assessed against the balance of your Provident Bank MasterCard® Gift Card. Your first use of live customer service per month is free, but each subsequent use of live customer service during any month incurs a $2.00 charge, to be assessed against the balance of your Provident Bank MasterCard® Gift Card. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | Can I use the card at a gas station? |
| A: | Yes, but you must pay for your purchase inside the gas station. Pay at the pump is not available with the gift card. Instead, give the gift card to the attendant and say exactly how much gas you want to purchase instead of swiping the card at the pump. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | Can I let someone else use the card? |
| A: | Only you should use the card. Sign it when you receive it, and then protect it. Lost or stolen gift cards are not automatically eligible for refunds or claims. For more information, refer to your Terms and Conditions. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | What happens when I spend all the funds on my Provident Bank Gift Card? |
| A: | The gift card will no longer be accepted as a form of payment when its balance reaches $0, or after the expiration date, whichever comes first. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | Why did I have trouble spending with the gift card at a restaurant/bar/salon when I know I had enough money on it to cover the bill? |
| A: | Many such merchants request an authorization/approval on your card for an amount that can be significantly greater than the total bill. This is usually done to take into account a tip/gratuity. This type of authorization can also occur at hotels and auto rental agencies to take into account incidentals on top of the base price of the room/car/etc. In these cases, too, it’s possible for the merchant to send an authorization request for more than what is on the card, and when that happens we are not able to approve the authorization request. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | What should I do if my gift card purchase is declined? |
| A: | Make sure there are sufficient funds on the gift card before making a purchase by phoning the number on the back of the card. If your transaction was declined even when there were sufficient funds on your card, phone the number on the back of the card. |
| Return to Top |
|
| Q: | What if I need to return something I purchased with the gift card? |
| A: | Returns are subject to the policies of the individual store where you purchased the merchandise, but most stores will be able to process a return by crediting the amount of the purchase back onto the card. You’ll need to present the gift card at the time of return. It’s a good idea to save both the gift card and your receipts in the event that you need to return merchandise. |
| Return to Top |
|
| The Provident Bank MasterCard® Gift Card is issued by Provident Bank, pursuant to a license by MasterCard International Incorporated |
