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Credit cards Frequently Asked Questions

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If your First Tech debit or credit card is lost or stolen, we’re here to help you act quickly and securely. 

Locking your credit card when it’s not in use helps safeguard against unauthorized transactions and gives you added peace of mind.

You can easily lock or unlock your card anytime through Online Banking or the First Tech mobile app. It’s just one of the many ways we help you stay in control of your finances.

Here’s what to do:

  1. Request a replacement card using the Replace Card feature in Online Banking or the First Tech Mobile App.
  2. Double Click on unauthorized posted transactions to initiate a claim.

Helpful Resources

If you notice any suspicious or unauthorized activity on your First Tech credit card, please login to your account right away and replace your card when you access the Manage Card Widget. 

Here’s what to do:

  • You are empowered to review the transactions, block your card if needed, and request a replacement anytime any where.

Tip: Locking your credit card when it’s not in use helps safeguard against unauthorized transactions and gives you added peace of mind. You can easily lock or unlock your card anytime through Online Banking or the First Tech mobile app. It’s just one of the many ways we help you stay in control of your finances using Digital Banking or the First Tech Mobile App

 

Helpful Resources

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The ‘dining’ category includes a wide range of merchants where food and beverages are the primary focus. This typically covers:

  • Sit-down restaurants
  • Fast food chains
  • Cafés and coffee shops
  • Fine dining establishments

 Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or enjoying a night out, these purchases may qualify for dining rewards.

Important to know:

Some merchants that sell food and drinks—like those inside stadiums, hotels, casinos, theme parks, grocery stores, or department stores—may not be classified under the dining category unless their payment processor has specifically coded them that way.

Additionally:

  • Gift card purchases and
  • Food delivery services
    may not qualify unless the merchant has set up those transactions to be recognized as dining.

Because merchant classification is determined by the merchant’s payment processor, First Tech does not control how businesses are categorized.

The electronics category typically includes merchants that primarily sell consumer electronics and related products. This may include:

  • Retailers offering computers, tablets, and mobile phones
  • Stores selling televisions, cameras, game consoles, and printers
  • Shops with home appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, and washing machines
  • Vendors specializing in audio equipment such as radios and speakers

Important to know:

Some merchants that offer services or repairs—like computer programming, tech support, or appliance repair—may not qualify unless their payment processor has specifically coded them under the electronics category.

Additionally, purchases from:

  • Online software stores
  • Photographic and photocopy equipment vendors
  • Electronic repair shops
    may or may not be included, depending on how the merchant is classified.

Merchant categories are determined by the merchant’s payment processor, not by First Tech. We group similar merchant codes to help you earn rewards, but we don’t control how businesses are categorized.

The gas category generally includes merchants where the primary business is selling automotive fuel. This typically covers:

  • Gas stations where you can pay at the pump or inside
  • Locations that primarily sell automotive gasoline or diesel

Important to know:

Some businesses that sell fuel but don’t specialize in automotive gasoline may not qualify for gas rewards. These may include:

  • Truck stops
  • Boat marinas
  • Home heating fuel providers (e.g., propane, coal, wood, or fuel oil dealers)
  • Convenience stores or grocery stores that also sell fuel

Whether a purchase qualifies depends on how the merchant is classified by their payment processor, not by First Tech. We group similar merchant codes to help you earn rewards, but we don’t control how businesses are categorized.

The grocery stores category generally includes merchants whose primary business is selling a full range of grocery items. This typically covers:

  • Full-service grocery stores with departments like produce, deli, bakery, and household goods
  • Smaller neighborhood grocery stores that focus on food and everyday essentials

Important to know:

Some merchants that sell grocery items may not qualify for grocery rewards, including:

  • Warehouse clubs and discount stores (e.g., Costco, Walmart)
  • Drugstores and convenience stores
  • Gas stations that also sell groceries
  • Delivery services or third-party platforms

Whether a purchase qualifies depends on how the merchant is classified by their payment processor, not by First Tech. We group similar merchant codes to help you earn rewards, but we don’t control how businesses are categorized.

The household goods category generally includes merchants that primarily sell items for your home. This may include:

  • Home furniture and décor stores
  • Retailers offering lighting, rugs, bedding, and storage solutions

Important to know:

Some merchants may not qualify for household goods rewards, including:

  • Office and commercial furniture suppliers
  • Secondhand stores and antique shops
  • Specialty retailers that focus on a limited selection of household items

Whether a purchase qualifies depends on how the merchant is classified by their payment processor, not by First Tech. We group similar merchant codes to help you earn rewards, but we don’t control how businesses are categorized.

The medical category generally includes merchants that provide direct healthcare services. This may include:

  • Doctors and physicians
  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Dentists and dental offices
  • Nursing and personal care facilities
  • Medical laboratories

Important to know:

Some merchants that sell or support medical-related products and services may not qualify for medical rewards, including:

  • Pharmacies and drugstores
  • Medical supply retailers
  • Health insurance providers
  • Testing labs not classified as medical
  • Repair or service shops for medical equipment

 Whether a purchase qualifies depends on how the merchant is classified by their payment processor, not by First Tech. We group similar merchant codes to help you earn rewards, but we don’t control how businesses are categorized.

The telecommunications category generally includes merchants that provide communication services and related equipment. This may include:

  • Telephone service providers
  • Cable and satellite TV companies
  • Internet service providers (ISPs)
  • Telecommunication equipment retailers
  • Radio and telegraph services

Important to know:

Some merchants may not qualify for telecommunications rewards unless their payment processor has specifically coded them under this category. These may include:

  • Streaming services (TV, movie, or radio)
  • Bundled service providers that offer multiple services (e.g., internet + streaming)
  • Retailers selling telecom-related accessories or hardware

Merchant classification is determined by the merchant’s payment processor, not by First Tech. We group similar merchant codes to help you earn rewards, but we don’t control how businesses are categorized.

The travel category includes select merchants in airlines, transportation, and lodging. These purchases may qualify for travel rewards when made directly with eligible merchants.

Airlines

Qualifying purchases typically include:

  • Airline tickets purchased directly from the airline

May not qualify:

  • In-flight purchases, airline miles, or non-ticket items
  • Tickets purchased through travel agencies, discount travel sites, vacation clubs, or tour operators unless the merchant is classified under the airline category

Transportation

Qualifying purchases typically include:

  • Car rentals booked directly with the rental agency
  • Local transit and commuting services such as buses, taxis, limousines, cruises, and tour operators

May not qualify:

  • Rentals booked through third-party platforms or bundled packages
  • Services like freight railroads, ambulance transport, moving companies, boat rentals, tolls, parking garages, and RV/truck rentals unless classified under transportation

Lodging

Qualifying purchases typically include:

  • Hotel stays booked directly with the hotel
  • Motels, inns, and bed & breakfasts

May not qualify:

  • Hotel bookings made through travel agencies, discount sites, or bundled packages
  • On-site purchases (e.g., restaurant or entertainment) unless coded as lodging
  • Hotel points, short-term rentals (e.g., Airbnb), timeshares, campgrounds, and trailer parks unless classified under lodging

Note: Merchant categories are determined by the merchant’s payment processor, not by First Tech. We group similar merchant codes to help you earn rewards, but we don’t control how businesses are classified.

Authorized users on your First Tech credit card account can make purchases anywhere the card is accepted, including:

  • In-store at point-of-sale terminals
  • Online with participating merchants

They’ll have the same purchasing power as the primary cardholder, but they won’t be able to manage account settings or make changes to the account.

 

 

You can add any individual as an authorized user, as long as they have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and provide the required documentation.

Authorized users can:

  • Make purchases using your credit card
  • Help build their credit history (reported to major credit bureaus)
  • Enjoy the convenience of shared access—without being responsible for the account balance

 Note: Authorized users cannot make changes to your account or access account management features.

To get started, visit the Manage Cards section in Digital Banking or contact us for assistance.

Helpful Resources

The primary and joint account holders are responsible for making payments and managing the balance on a First Tech credit card. This includes any purchases made by authorized users.

While authorized users can make purchases, they:

  • Cannot make payments toward the account
  • Are not financially liable for the balance

Tip: You can monitor and manage authorized user activity through the Manage Cards feature in Digital Banking.

Helpful Resources

To help keep your account safe, First Tech and our card partner, CO-OP Financial Services, actively monitor credit and debit card activity for signs of fraud. If we detect something unusual, we’ll reach out to you using one or more of the following methods:

You may be asked to verify the transaction by calling back at a different number than the one used to contact you—this is a security measure to confirm your identity.

Security Reminder:
We will never ask for your account number, password, or other sensitive information through text, email, or phone.

If you're unsure whether a message is legitimate, please contact:

  • Credit card support: 866.518.0213
  • Debit card support: 888.241.2440

Helpful Resources

Your credit card rate may change for a few reasons, all designed to keep your account aligned with your credit profile and federal regulations.

Credit Score Review

To meet regulatory requirements and ensure fairness, First Tech periodically reviews the credit scores of all credit card account holders. If your score changes, your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) may be adjusted—either up or down—based on the highest credit score available among all account owners.

This process helps ensure you’re receiving the most accurate rate for your current credit standing.

We’ll always notify you if your rate changes due to a credit score review.

Your credit card rate may change for a few reasons, all designed to keep your account aligned with your credit profile and federal regulations.

Credit Score Review

To meet regulatory requirements and ensure fairness, First Tech periodically reviews the credit scores of all credit card account holders. If your score changes, your Annual Percentage Rate (APR) may be adjusted—either up or down—based on the highest credit score available among all account owners.

This process helps ensure you’re receiving the most accurate rate for your current credit standing.

We’ll always notify you if your rate changes due to a credit score review.

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