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Desjardins Access Card and PIN

Q. What is the Desjardins Access Card?
A. You are given this card when you open an account in a Desjardins caisse. It is used to identify you at the counter and allows you to make transactions at ATMs and direct (debit card) payments to merchants.

Find out more about the Desjardins Access Card.

For more information, see Open an account and become a member.

Q. What is a PIN?
A. A Personal Identification Number (PIN) is your electronic signature. Your Desjardins Access Card (or VISA Desjardins credit card) and PIN allow you to access your accounts and make transactions. If your card is stolen, no one can use it to make transactions without entering the PIN that you have assigned to the card.

Find out more about the Personal Identification Number (PIN).

Q. How do I choose a PIN and when should I change it?
A. Select a PIN using information that is known only to you. If you use your address, telephone number, date of birth, etc., it could be more easily discovered. Change your PIN right away if you think someone has learned it.

Q. What should I do if I've forgotten my PIN?
A. If you forget your PIN, you can get a new one by going to a Desjardins caisse with 2 valid pieces of ID, at least one of which is signed.

To find out more, see frequently asked questions about changing your PIN at Desjardins ATMs (FAQ).

For security reasons, we cannot give you a new PIN by phone or e-mail.

Q. Can I use my Desjardins Access card (debit card) abroad?
A. If you want to use your Desjardins Access card (debit card) outside the country, always be sure you're using a Plus network ATM. This is the equivalent of the Interac network in Canada and accepts passwords between 4 and 13 characters. Note that a fee of $3 is assessed for each withdrawal.

To find out which financial institutions are on the Plus network in the foreign cities you will be visiting, go to http://www.visa.com/atms.

We recommend you always have another way of getting local currency in case of problems. You can get foreign currency from your caisse if you request it in advance.

Q. What do I do if I believe I may have been victim of ATM fraud?
A. If you believe you may have been victim of ATM fraud or if your card gets stuck in an ATM, report it immediately by calling 1-800-CAISSES (1-800-224-7737).

A service advisor will cancel your card on the spot, at your request.

Find out more about protecting yourself against credit or debit card fraud.

Q. There are many cases of debit card (Desjardins Access Card) fraud being reported everyday. Should I be concerned?
A. Even if debit card (Desjardins Access Card) fraud at ATMs and points of sale have made headlines, these cases are rare compared to the number of transactions carried out every year.

It is important, however, to follow certain safety rules.

Get a few pointers concerning your Personal Identification Number (PIN).

To find out more about card fraud, see Don't be a victim.

Q. What should I do if my card is lost or stolen?
A. As soon as you realize that your card is no longer in your possession (lost, stolen or retained by an ATM), notify your caisse immediately or call 1-800-361-5121. In case of theft, call the police as well.

To find out more, see Don't be a victim.

Q. What security measures does Desjardins take to make my Desjardins Access Card secure?
A. Desjardins has a procedure in place to protect members against debit card (Desjardins Access Card) skimming. Desjardins deactivates your card immediately upon receiving notification of a lost or stolen card. Your new card must be picked up at your caisse.

If you detect fraud on your Desjardins Access Card or VISA Desjardins credit card, you can report it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at one of the following numbers and we will see to it that a new card is issued right away.

Canada and the U.S.:

  • Personal cards: 514-397-4415 or toll-free 1-800-363-3380
  • Business cards: 514-397-4600 or toll-free 1-800-266-5662
  • Collect: 514-397-4610 or contact the VISA Global Customer Assistance Service.

    Desjardins has also implemented additional security measures that confirm your identity when you use your Desjardins Access Card (debit card). These measures are in addition to asking for your personal identification number (PIN).

    To find out more, see How we protect you.

    Don't be a victim.

Q. How do I know I’ve been victim of a fraud?
A.

Monitor transactions on your account regularly. This is an excellent way to detect fraudulent transactions in a timely way. In the event of a discrepancy, contact your caisse immediately.

To find out more, see Don't be a victim.


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Montreal area: 514-CAISSES (514-224-7737)
Elsewhere in Quebec, Canada and the U.S.: 1-800-CAISSES (1-800-224-7737)
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