FAQs

Debit Card

What is my PIN number?

Approximately 2 – 3 days after you received your debit card in the mail, you should receive a seperate envelope containing your four-digit PIN number. If you do not have that, you can call the credit union at 315-471-4621 or 888-324-1950 to have your PIN mailed to you again. There is a $5.00 fee to have this done.

How do I get a Debit Card?

You can request a debit card at our office, a signature will be required at that time.

Where can I use my Debit Card?

You can use your debit card anywhere VISA is accepted!

Are there any charges for using my debit card?

If you use your card at a merchant such as a gas station or grocery store, no there are no charges. If you use your card at an ATM machine to withdrawal cash, there will be a small fee incurred if do not use a machine that is within our ATM network. To find a free ATM machine near you, click here.

Why does it ask me debit/credit when I use my debit card?

You can use your card either way, however when you select debit, you will have to enter your PIN number. We encourage you to select credit when making all transactions! When selecting credit, you only need your signature for the transaction and you will have the protection of VISA in the case of any fraudulent activity.

I’ve lost my card, now what?

Please call our office as soon as possible to have the card blocked and re-issued. In the event that it happens after regular business hours, please call VISA directly at: 800-543-5073.

My card is broken/not working.

Please call our office as soon as possible to have the card re-issued.

Why isn’t my card working?

There are a number of reasons your card may not be working at this time. First, check your accounts available balance, if that is not the problem, please contact our office so we can look at your account to help you.

My card is going to expire this month, what should I do?

Our system will automatically send you a new card to the mailing address we have on file, usually by the 15th month. If you do not receive your card by the 20th of the month, please feel free to contact our office.

If my VISA Debit card is lost or stolen, who do I contact?

To report a lost or stolen VISA debit card, please call our office at 315-471-4621. If it is after regular business hours, please contact VISA directly at: 800-543-5073

Virtual Branch

How do I sign-up for Virtual Branch?

Simple email the office at memberservice@syrfirecu.com or call us directly at 888-324-1950 or 315-471-4621 to have this service turned on.

What is Virtual Branch?

Your online link to your SFDEFCU accounts. Virtual Branch is safer, easier and more convenient than you could ever imagine. Check your balances in your pajamas, transfer money at 2:00 a.m., or even print your checking account history from your laptop. Virtual Branch is a no-fee service from SFDEFCU.

Does Virtual Branch cost anything?

No, this is another free service provided to our members!

What features are available in Virtual Branch?

View your account balances, view recent histories, transfer money between accounts, pay your bills online safe and secure, view your eStatements, or sign up for Mobile Money!

What is my User ID?

If you are in need of your User ID, you could contact the office at 888-324-1950 or 315-471-4621.

I forgot my password and/or my account is locked. What do I do?

Your account will be locked after the third unsuccessful attempt to access your account. If you need to unlock your account, please contact our office directly at (315)471-4621 or 888-324-1950. Your password can be reset per your request. Evenings and weekends, you can contact our help desk directly at 800-290-6054.

I forgot the answers to my security questions. What do I do?

To reset security questions, please contact our help desk directly at 800-290-6054.

What is ‘Enhanced Authenticaion’?

We have several security enhancements to our Virtual Branch. The ‘Enhanced Authentication’ will ask you several personal questions to ensure the security of your information.

Why are the account numbers on virtual branch different from my full account number?

As another security feature, your full account number will not be listed on Virtual Branch. The account numbers listed within Virtual Branch are the last four digits of your full account number. Please do not use these abbreviated numbers on formal paperwork for direct deposit, etc. If you are in need of your full account number, please contact the credit union office at 888-324-1950 or 315-471-4621.

Bill Pay Service

What is Bill Pay?

Bill Pay allows you to pay bills or make other payments from your checking account using the internet. Payments can be scheduled 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from anywhere in the world.

How do I enroll for Bill Pay?

It’s easy – there are no forms to complete and no paperwork. Call the Credit Union office directly at 888-324-1950 or 315-471-4621 and ask them to turn on this free feature!

How much does Bill Pay cost?

Virtual Branch and Bill Pay are both FREE!

I’ve enrolled in Bill Pay. What do I do now?

When you get on to Bill Pay for the first time, you must add merchants before you can schedule payments. When setting up your merchants, please make sure that the information is obtained from the most current bill received. This will avoid any processing delays, which are often caused by an old or incorrect account number or an incorrect mailing address.

What is the cutoff time for submitting payments?

The Bill Pay cutoff time is 9:00AM Eastern. Anything setup after this time will be scheduled for the next day. Payments are not sent on Sundays or holidays.

What should I do if I have a problem or question?

The first thing to do is see if the answer to your question is contained either in these Frequently Asked Questions. If you still have a problem or question, feel free to e-mail us at memberservices@syrfirecu.com, or call us at (315) 471-4621 OR 888-324-1950.

Mobile Money

What is mobile money?

Mobile Money is the mobile version of Virtual Branch. You have access to the most common tasks you use with your online banking wherever, whenever you have your mobile device. Best of all, it’s FREE – SAFE – SECURE

Mobile Web / Internet Access
View your account balance, transfer money between your accounts
Text Messaging
Text your account, we text you back your balance and recent history!

How do I activate Mobile Money?

Log into your Virtual Branch Account
Click ‘Self Service’
Click ‘Mobile Money’
Accept the Terms and Conditions
Select the account(s) you want to manage from your mobile phone
Rename the accounts by typing over the number that is in the Mobile Money nickname column. Example: ‘ck’ for checking or ‘sv’ for savings.
Select SMS/Text Messaging or Mobile Web/Internet and continue
You’ll receive a text message with an activation code and if you chose Mobile Web link to access your accounts via the internet.
Enter the activation code in the space provided on your computer and click activate.
Use the command and instructions provided to access your accounts!

Is there a charge for Mobile Money?

No, mobile money is completely free!

Do I have to have a ‘smartphone’ to use mobile money?

No, you can access mobile money either via text message or mobile web!

What happens if I lose my phone?

Simply call the credit union office and we can turn off the mobile money feature.

eStatements

How do I get my statements?

Received your statements electronically! No need to wait for your statement to arrive in the mail, securely receive your statement through Virtual Branch. With this service, you’ll have access to the past six months of statements right at your fingertips!

Log into your Virtual Branch Account
Click ‘Self Service’
Click ‘eStatements’

*Please note, to receive your eStatements, your pop-up blocker needs to be turned off!

How do I signup for eStatements?

Here’s how to switch to eStatements:

Log into your Virtual Branch Account
Click ‘Self Service’
Click ‘eStatement’
Agree to the Terms and Conditions

*Please note, to receive your eStatements, your pop-up blocker needs to be turned off!

General Credit Union Questions

What hours is the Credit Union open?

Lobby Hours:
Monday: 8:30am – 4:00pm
Tuesday: 8:30am – 4:00pm
Wednesday: 8:30am – 4:00pm
Thursday: 7:30am – 5:00pm
Friday: 7:30am – 5:00pm

Drive-thru opens daily at 7:30am

Is there a night-drop box I can use for deposits on evenings/weekends?

Yes, there is a night-drop box located in our drive-thru lane of our office.

What is the routing/transit number of the Credit Union?

Our routing/transit number is: 221376872

Wire transfers

What is a wire transfer?

A wire transfer is an electronic transfer of fund from one financial institution to another financial institution. There is a $15 fee for domestic wire transfers.

How much does it cost?

A wire transfer costs $15 (domestic)

What information do I need to do a wire transfer?

Member wants to wire money to us:
Members United Corporate FCU
4450 Weaver Parkway
Warrenville, IL 60555
R/T # 221381715

Further credit to:
SFDEFCU
211 Wilkinson St.
Syracuse, NY 13204
Acct # 221376872

Final credit to:
Member’s Name
Member’s Address
Member’s Acct #

Member wants to wire money from their SFDEFCU account to their account at another institution:

Member must provide us with the receiving institutions wiring instructions.

Last wire out by Members United is 4 pm.

Fee to wire out is $15.00.

Member wants to wire money from their SFDEFCU account to another individual or business account at another institution:

Must get signed Wire Transfer Form from member.