Ally Bank Help Center: Debit Cards & Checks FAQs | Ally Bank (2024)

The first thing we recommend is to temporarily lock your card:

• Log in to the Ally Mobile app and select Tasks
• Choose More Tasks
• Select Manage Debit Card and choose Lock Card

If you find your card, you can go back into the app to turn the card back on.

If your card was stolen or if you can’t find it, call us immediately at 1-877-247-2559, and we'll cancel your card and issue a replacement.

The expiration date is located near the bottom on the front of your debit card. We'll notify you at least 60 days before it expires and reissue you a new debit card with a new expiration date. You can use your current debit card until the last day of the month that it expires.

If you've enrolled in a mobile wallet with your current card, you'll need to re-enroll with your new debit card information. Once it's activated, your old debit card will automatically deactivate. You'll need to securely dispose of your old card.

If you requested checks or a debit card, your order should arrive within 10 business days after we receive your opening deposit.

If you didn't request checks or a debit card while opening your account, please call us at 1-877-247-2559 to place your order.

When re-ordering standard checks, your order should arrive within 10 business days after your request is submitted.

Call us at 1-833-414-4855 (or +1-757-917-2559 if outside the U.S.) to reset or change your PIN using our automated system.

You'll need to provide the last 4 digits of your debit card number and the debit card expiration date.

If you need further assistance, call Ally Customer Service at 1-877-247-2559.

To protect your account, you need to call from the phone number we have on file for you.

Call 1-833-414-4855 or +1-757-917-2559 if outside the U.S.

Make sure you have your card with you. You'll also see this phone number listed on the sticker on your card. For security purposes, you need to call from the phone number we have on file for you.

We'll prompt you to set a PIN if you are activating your card for the first time. When you finish, remove the activation sticker and sign the back of the card.

When you swipe your debit card to pay for a purchase, the card reader will usually ask if you'd like to get cash back. Then you'll be asked to enter the amount and your personal identification number (PIN) — the same one you use for the ATM.

The cash back amount is added to the total price of the transaction. For example, if you buy $18 worth of merchandise and ask for $20 cash back, you will pay a total of $38 ($18 + $20) with your debit card and receive $20 in cash along with your purchases.

We discontinued the Ally Card Controls app. You can now access your debit card controls in the Ally Mobile app:

• Log in to the Ally Mobile app and select Tasks
• Choose More Tasks
• Select Manage Debit Card and choose Notifications

You can allow or decline certain debit card transactions based on the type of merchant. This includes the ability to block merchant categories such as gas stations, travel, entertainment, restaurants, groceries and pharmacies, apparel and accessories, houseware or hardware stores, office supplies, and utilities.

To set up merchant categories controls for your debit card:

• Log in to the Ally Mobile app and select Tasks
• Choose More Tasks
• Select Manage Debit Card and choose Merchant Categories

Stay on top of your debit card activity by setting up custom push notifications.

• Log in to the Ally Mobile app and select Tasks
• Choose More Tasks
• Select Manage Debit Card and choose Notifications

You can allow transactions up to a certain dollar amount to manage your spending. Note that these limits do not alter the debit card limits as outlined in our debit card agreement.

• Log in to the Ally Mobile app and select Tasks
• Choose More Tasks
• Select Manage Debit Card and choose Transaction Amount Limit

You can set up custom push notifications in the Ally Mobile app. If we decline your card based on the transaction controls you set, we'll automatically send you a push notification. You'll need to download the Ally Mobile app and turn on notifications in your phone settings.

You can choose to receive notifications when your controls allow all or certain types of transactions. We'll send the notifications in real time to your device, so you'll always know exactly when the activity took place. Your mobile carrier's message and data rates may apply.

When we detect possible fraud, you'll receive the following alerts:

• Text will come from "67996"
• Email alert will come from: donotreply@fraud-alerts.ally.com
• The Fraud Service Center will call from 1-855-205-4075

The Ally Mobile app lets you define when, where and how your card is used.

To set debit card controls, log in to the Ally Mobile app and select Tasks, choose More Tasks, and then select Manage Debit Card

What to know

Card lock/unlock setting. If you lock the card, we won't allow purchases or withdrawals until you unlock it. This excludes any recurring payments or withdrawals from your card, such as recurring bill payments.

Transaction amount limit. You can allow transactions up to a certain dollar amount to manage your spending and help prevent fraud.

Merchant categories. You can allow or decline certain transactions based on the type of merchant. This includes the ability to block merchant categories such as gas stations, entertainment, restaurants, and more.

International transactions. You can allow or decline the ability to make international transactions. Additionally, you can allow or decline international transactions by country.

Transaction methods. You can prevent certain transaction methods from being processed on your card, including online purchases, ATM withdrawals, mobile wallet transactions, and more.

Notifications. Stay on top of your debit card activity by setting up custom push notifications. We'll automatically send you a push notification any time your card is declined based on the transaction controls you set. You can also choose to receive notifications when your controls allow all or certain types of card transactions. We'll send the notifications in real time to your device, so you'll always know exactly when the activity took place. Your mobile carrier's message and data rates may apply.

If you have more than one card added to Microsoft Wallet and would like to choose Ally Bank Debit MasterCard® as your default, simply tap on the card and select Set as my tap to pay card.

Keep in mind, if you add Ally Bank Debit MasterCard® to Microsoft Wallet first, then it's already the default payment method.

• Log in to the Ally Mobile app and select Tasks
• Choose More Tasks
• Select Manage Debit Card
• Slide the toggle to "on"

If you lock the card, we won't allow purchases or withdrawals until you unlock it. This excludes any recurring payments or withdrawals from your card, such as recurring bill payments.

You can decide if you want to be able to use your debit card internationally.

Additionally, you can choose whether you want your debit card to be declined or allowed in specific countries.

To set up international transaction controls:

• Log in to the Ally Mobile app and select Tasks
• Choose More Tasks
• Select Manage Debit Card and choose Notifications

Yes, you can prevent online purchases, ATM withdrawals, mobile wallet transactions, and more.

• Log in to the Ally Mobile app and select Tasks
• Choose More Tasks
• Select Manage Debit Card and choose Transaction Methods

Once you add and verify your Ally Bank debit card information, you're ready to make a purchase:

• Hold your device near the merchant’s card reader
• Select your Ally Bank debit card
• Authorize the payment using biometrics or your passcode

You can also use your device to pay within select apps. Simply choose Apple Pay at checkout and place your finger on Touch ID.

The EMV chip adds an extra layer of security to your in-store debit card purchases. The EMV chip stores cardholder information and provides additional encryption when used at chip-enabled terminals.

To use, simply insert your card face up in the terminal and leave it there while the transaction is processed. Once your transaction is complete, you'll see an alert on the terminal when it's okay to remove your card.

You can still swipe your card for debit purchases at non chip-enabled registers or anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

Open the Google Pay app on your device and follow the instructions. After your Ally Bank Debit MasterCard® information is verified, we’ll send an alert to confirm it's been successfully added to Google Pay.

Google Pay comes preloaded on most devices. If you can't find it on your phone, you can download it from Google Play.

If you added your Ally Bank Debit MasterCard® to Google Pay first, then it's already the default payment method. If not, you can change the default card in the Google Pay app on your phone.

Select the Google account associated with your Google Pay information, then tap the card you want to use and select Set as default card. Or, select and drag the card to the default card section at the top of the app's Home screen.

Once you add and verify your Ally Bank debit card information, you’re ready to make a purchase:

• Open the Samsung Pay app
• Select your Ally Bank debit card
• Authorize the payment using biometrics or your four-digit code

Hold the back of your device over the in-store card reader

Open the Microsoft Wallet app on your device and follow the instructions. After your Ally Bank Debit MasterCard® information is verified, we'll send an alert to confirm it's been successfully added to Microsoft Wallet.

Note: Microsoft Wallet comes preloaded on the Lumia 950 or 950 XL.

Currently you can use Apple Pay on:

• iPhone 6®/6s Plus (with iOS 8.1 update)
• iPad Air 2® and the iPad mini®

You can also use your iPhone 5s to make payments as long as it’s used with the Apple Watch®.

Google Pay works with devices using Android 4.4 or higher that have Near Field Communication (NFC) and Host Card Emulation (HCE) support, while Samsung Pay works with certain Samsung devices and uses Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST), as well as NFC technology.

Both offer a very similar experience and are equally secure. To learn more about the technologies they use and which may be better for you, visit Samsung.com/pay or Android.com/pay.

Once you add and verify your Ally Bank debit card information:

• Unlock your phone
• Hold the back of the device against the merchant's card reader

Keep in mind, you don't need to open the app to make a purchase.

If you added your Ally Bank Debit MasterCard® to Apple Pay first, then it’s already the default payment method. If not, you can change the default card in your Wallet app:

On iPhone:

• Select your Ally Bank Debit MasterCard®
• Hold your finger on the card and drag it to the front of the cards in the Apple Pay section

On iPad:

• Select Default Card under Transaction Defaults
• Choose your Ally Debit MasterCard®

Currently you can use Samsung Pay on:

Galaxy S7 edge
Galaxy S7
Galaxy S7 active
Galaxy S6 edge+
Galaxy S6 edge
Galaxy S6 active
Galaxy S6
Galaxy Note 5

Instead of using your actual debit card number, Google Pay assigns a virtual account number to your device. Your card details are never stored on your phone or shared with merchants when you make a purchase.

If the merchant asks for the last 4 digits of your card after you make a purchase, use the last 4 digits of the Device Account Number. You can find this under your Ally Bank debit card number in your Google Pay account.

For added security, keep your Android Device Manager on. If your phone is ever lost or stolen, you can use it to instantly lock your device from anywhere, secure it with a new password or wipe it clean of your personal information.