Chip Card Frequently Asked Questions

Which chip-enabled cards does Synovus Bank issue?
Synovus Bank issues the following chip cards:

Debit Cards

  • Personal
    • Visa® Debit Card
    • Visa® Platinum Debit Card
    • Visa® Health Savings Account (HSA) Debit Card
  • Business
    • Visa® Business Debit Card

Credit Cards

  • Personal
    • Synovus Travel Rewards Visa® Credit Card
    • Synovus Rewards Visa® Credit Card
    • Synovus Cash Rewards Visa® Credit Card
    • Synovus Classic Visa® Credit Card
  • Business
    • Synovus Business Rewards Visa® Credit Card
    • Synovus Business Visa® Credit Card
  • Other
    • Visa® Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Card

How can I find out more about the chip-enabled credit and debit cards offered by Synovus Bank?
Existing customers of Synovus division banks can contact their banker for more information; visit any Synovus Bank Division branch; or call the customer service number on the back of their current credit or debit card. Individuals or businesses who are not a current customer of a Synovus division bank can visit the branch or website of any division for more information about products offered by Synovus Bank. In addition, more information about the chip-enabled cards issued by Synovus Bank is available by visiting here.

My current check card from my Synovus Bank division does not have a chip; how can I get a new chip-enabled debit card?
Synovus began issuing chip cards to all check card customers in September 2016. Replacing all current check cards with chip cards will take a few months, but all customers should have their new chip debit card(s) no later than March 1, 2017. Your new chip card will have a new card number and expiration date. Your PIN will remain the same.

About Chip Cards

What is a chip card?
Chip cards have an embedded microchip, which provides another layer of security and protection against fraud when the card is used at a chip-enabled terminal. When used at these terminals, the chip allows the card to generate a unique, one-time transaction code with every purchase that cannot be replicated; and the chip also makes cards more difficult to copy or counterfeit.

Does having a chip card mean that my card information cannot be stolen?
The chip is an additional layer of protection against fraud and unauthorized use when the card is used at a chip-enabled terminal. This process makes your card information more difficult to steal, and therefore makes a chip card more difficult to counterfeit. However, cards may still be subject to fraud and unauthorized use when they are lost, stolen or compromised, and the chip technology does not apply when the card isn’t being used at a chip-enabled terminal.

What information is stored on the chip?
The chip has information needed to complete your purchase, such as card number and expiration date. However, when used at chip-enabled terminals, the chip allows the card to generate a unique, one-time transaction code that cannot be replicated. The chip also makes cards more difficult to copy or counterfeit.

What other security features does a chip card have?
As always, personal Visa® and MasterCard® credit cards, and Visa Debit Cards, are covered by Zero-Liability Protection. In addition, each chip-enabled card must carry a unique card number. Because each card has a different number, it isn’t necessary to reissue all cards when only one card has been lost, stolen or compromised. Only the affected card has to be reissued and all other cards can continue to be used without interruption.

Does a merchant have to have special equipment to accept a chip card?
To accept a card as chip-enabled, the merchant must have a chip-enabled terminal. However, chip cards also have a magnetic stripe, so when used at merchants with no chip terminal, the card can continue to be swiped.

I have not seen many chip terminals? Why would I need a chip card?
Chip technology provides customers with strong security and protection against fraud and unauthorized use when the chip-enabled card is used at a chip-enabled terminal. This technology is very common internationally and is becoming increasingly more common in the United States as merchants add chip-enabled terminals. Also, when traveling outside the United States, having a chip card makes spending easier, safer and more convenient in many countries. In the meantime, the card still has a magnetic stripe so it can continue to be swiped at merchant locations where chip enabled terminals have not been deployed, and also can be used for cash advances (if allowed for the card; fee(s) may apply).

What is different about using a chip card at a merchant terminal?
When a merchant has a terminal that has been chip-enabled, you must insert your card into the terminal face up and leave it there during the entire transaction. Follow the prompts on the terminal until the transaction is complete, then remove your card when prompted by the terminal.

Using Your Chip Card

Where can chip cards be used?
Chip cards can be used at all merchant locations where a non-chip card can be used.

What if the business where I am shopping does not have a chip terminal?
Because chip cards still have a magnetic stripe, they can continue to be swiped at merchant locations where chip-enabled terminals have not been deployed, and also can be used for cash advances (if allowed for the card; fee(s) may apply).

Is there anything different about using a chip card for online or phone purchases?
No, you can use your chip card for online and phone purchases in exactly the same way as a non-chip card can be used.

Is there anything different about using a chip-enabled terminal?
Yes, the process is different when the card is used at a chip-enabled terminal. At these terminals, the card must be inserted into the machine with the chip facing up; and it remains in the terminal during the entire transaction. Just follow the instructions on the screen to complete the transaction, then remove the card when prompted to do so.

Will my new chip card continue to have my bank division logo imprinted on the front?
No, your new chip card will feature the Synovus name and logo instead of your bank division logo. Because your bank is part of the Synovus family of banks, many of the services you use today are labeled Synovus, such as Synovus Online Banking, Mobile Banking and ATMs. Your card may look different, but the relationship with your local bank remains the same. You can continue to contact your local Synovus Bank division for assistance with your credit and debit cards.

Will my new chip card have the same card number and PIN?
Your new chip card will have a new Card Number and expiration date, but you will have the same PIN.

What should I do when I get my new chip card?

  1. Activate your Card. You should activate your new card as soon as it is received by calling the number on the sticker attached to the card (1-888-222-0209); or if you have a PIN, perform an ATM transaction at any Synovus ATM. Your current card will be closed very shortly after your activate the new card.
  2. Begin using your new card instead of the old card. You should destroy your old card and begin using your new card as soon as it is activated. Remember, your current card will be closed very shortly after your activate the new.
  3. Contact Automatic Billers. If you use your old card for any automatic billing(s), contact the biller(s) to provide your new card number and expiration date.

What if I don’t have my new chip card by March 1, 2017?
Call 1-888-SYNOVUS (796-6887) or contact your Synovus Bank division.

Are there any additional fees or charges to have a chip credit or debit card?
No, this security feature is included at no additional fee.

Can a chip-enabled debit card be used at an ATM?
Yes, chip cards can be used at the ATM in the same way that a non-chip card could be used. Note: Health Savings Account cards cannot be used at the ATM.

If I don’t activate my new debit card, can I continue using my old check card?
No, we will provide time for you to activate and begin using your new card, then we will close all non-chip cards. You should activate and begin using your new chip card immediately in order to ensure that you have uninterrupted access to your account.

What makes personal and business chip-enabled credit cards issued by Synovus Bank more flexible and convenient?

  • Because each chip card has a unique card number, if one chip card within an account is lost, stolen or compromised, only that card will have to be replaced -- all other cards tied to the account can continue to be used without interruption.
  • Customers can choose to set and manage spending limits for each separate card number. All cards can have access to the entire credit limit, or spending limits can be set for each card individually. Limits can be set and changed quickly through CardView.com or by calling Customer Service.
  • Business Platinum accounts can request up to 19 total cards and can manage spending limits for each card through CardView.com or Customer Service. Of course, personal cardholders can also choose to add authorized users, too.

Does having a different credit card number for each personal or Business Platinum card user mean each cardholder gets a separate bill each month?
No, if the account has more than one (1) card, all cards will still appear on one bill. Transactions will be seen for each card, but there is one bill and one monthly payment for each credit card account, no matter how many cards are issued.

If the credit card account earns rewards, will these be earned separately for each card number?
No, eligible purchases by all cards associated with an account will roll up to one rewards balance, and can be redeemed by the account owner(s) or the authorized redeemer(s) designated by the account owner(s).

Can all card numbers enroll in CardView® in order to view and manage account information?
Yes, each individual or joint card number can be separately enrolled in cardview.com. However, only the primary card owner (first on the account or the business card guarantor) can manage card spending limits.

I have a HELOC card, but I am not able to use it at a merchant terminal with a PIN? Why?
Your HELOC card is used to access your line of credit rather than a traditional checking or savings account. When using your new HELOC chip card, you will not be prompted for your PIN; you must sign for your purchase.

I used to share a HELOC card number with my spouse, but we each received a different card number? Why?
Each chip card must have a different card number; however, transactions for both cards will still tie back to your joint account. Remember, having a unique card number for each person is a security and convenience feature. If one of your cards is lost, stolen or compromised, only that card has to be replaced. The other card can continue to be used without interruption.

Customer Support

What should I do if I notice unusual activity on my Synovus Bank account?
Call 1-888-SYNOVUS (796-6887) to report unusual or questionable activity or contact your nearest Synovus Bank division.

What should I do if my Synovus Bank credit card or debit card is lost or stolen?
Call 1-888-SYNOVUS (796-6887) to report your card lost or stolen, or contact your nearest Synovus Bank division.

Can I get alerts to help me track my card activity?
Yes, you can choose to enroll your Synovus Bank credit card or debit card in Synovus Card Alerts, which allows you to set up alerts that help you manage and track certain transactions done with your enrolled Visa® credit cards and debit cards. You select the alerts you want to receive and the method by which you want to receive them. Each time activity occurs with your card that matches the alerts you have selected, you will be notified. You can receive alerts by email or text and mobile push notification in English. Alerts can be added, modified or deleted at any time. For more information or to enroll, visit www.synovus.com/cardalerts or download the Synovus Card Alerts app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Synovus does not charge a fee for the Synovus Card Alerts service or for the app. However, text alerts require your mobile service provider’s data and/or text plan. Message and data rates may apply. NOTE: If you are already enrolled in Synovus Card Alerts when you receive your new chip card, you will have to re-enroll your new card since it will have a new card number.