FAQs
Debit Card Control Questions/Controls & Alerts
Card controls within the Bluestone Mobile App allow you to control how, when, and where your debit card(s) are used. It is a simple and secure way to manage and monitor your card transaction activities. It can help keep your debit card(s) safe and provide instant notifications whenever your card is used.
All that is required to use card controls is a Bluestone Bank debit card and the BSB mobile app. You will also need an Apple or Android smartphone.
No. It is provided to you free so you have more control over your card.
You can begin using the service immediately. We recommend first trying the on/off feature. To use this click the green toggle button next to the ‘Enable card for use’ When this toggle button is grayed out, it means that all transactions (except for recurring) will be declined. When you’re ready to make a purchase, simply click the toggle button again and it will turn the card back on, meaning it is available to use. It’s that easy. Now you have ultimate control to help combat fraud.
After you become comfortable with the on/off function, you can start selectively setting controls by:
- Location – define up to three geographic regions where your card can be used
- Transaction type – select the types of transactions where your card can be used such as in-store, eCommerce online, ATM, etc.
- Merchant Type – select the types of merchants where your card can be used such as Department Stores, Gas Station, Groceries, Personal care, Restaurants, travel and more.
- Transaction Amount – You can set a threshold amount over which card transactions will be declined.
Alert Preferences are notifications sent to the user. You can choose to be alerted on all your card transactions, including recurring payments and card status changes or you can select just preferred transactions alerts. Preferred alerts are available for merchant types, transaction types, international transactions and a threshold amount. To customize your alert settings, select alerts from the more menu in mobile banking. Select the debit card you wish to customize your alerts for and select ‘all transactions’ or ‘choose your alerts’.
It is an immediate text notification of card activities pushed to your mobile phone. You have control over what alerts you receive. Please see alert preferences above.
No. Using card controls does not change the status of your account.
Yes, you will continue to report your debit card as lost or stolen as soon as possible after discovery. This way the bank can disable the card in all our systems and order your replacement card.
It happens immediately after you select it and save the option.
Yes. Merchant recurring transactions will be approved. Additionally, you can select to receive alerts on recurring transactions as well.
Control Preferences allow you to block transactions by types and you will receive a real-time alert that the transaction was declined. You can choose to set preferred controls by spending limit, location, transaction type, and merchant category code. As an example, if you set a control spend limit of $100, every transaction above $100 will be declined.
No. Standard limits set by Bluestone Bank take precedence over any controls you set within card controls.
Yes, the bank uses card restrictions that involve daily transaction limits and geographic areas. If you are planning to travel outside of Massachusetts, or out of the country, please contact us with your travel dates and destination. We can adjust your card to allow transactions for your travel area.
The My Region controls allow you to designate up to three geographic locations where card transactions can be approved. The address or location of the merchant where you are making an in-store purchase will be compared to the regions you have selected. If the merchant is outside your defined regions, the card transaction will be declined. The Block International control when enabled will block card transactions performed outside of the country.
If you use region controls, you cannot have the Block International transactions enabled. The geographic region settings are the defined areas where your card transactions will be approved. If you are traveling, you will still need to contact the bank to have travel exclusions added to your card even if you define your travel destination as a region control.
Just download the BSB mobile app to your new smartphone and log in with your current user ID and password. The card control setting you made within the mobile app will carry over to your new smartphone.
When your existing card is reaching the expiration date, the bank begins reissue processing during the month prior to your expiration date, the status on your card will become ‘activation’ as the new card is being produced for mailing. If you have your alert preferences set to all transactions, a card status change alert will be sent when the card status changes.
When your card number changes, you will see the new card number in card controls. You will need to add the card control settings you want to use with the new card. Your old card number can be removed by simply selecting the card number in the card control menu and clicking on ‘Remove Card’.
The ‘Help’ menu in the BSB mobile app provides assistance with the features of card controls and alerts. In addition, the bank’s customer support number and website address can be found in the help menu. You may also speak to a customer support representative for assistance during regular banking hours by calling 800-356-8622.
You can remove the card number you do not want to manage by simply selecting the card in the card control menu and then select ‘Remove Card’. Should you wish to manage a removed card in the future, go to card controls and select the ‘Add’ button. Eligible cards will be displayed. Select the radio button next to the card you wish to manage and then the ‘Done’ button. You will now be able to add card controls settings to the card.
The BSB app requires your user credentials in order to access card controls. Personal information is not stored on the mobile device and the app only displays the last four digits of your card number.
The Mobile App utilizes fingerprint features to authenticate users on Android devices. Apple devices may be set to use Touch ID or Face ID.