http://easytel.net/GenieCardAgreement.html
GenieCard Cardholder's
Agreement
1. Terms and
Conditions for the prepaid GenieCard
*** This document constitutes the
agreement ("Agreement") outlining the terms and conditions under
which the Card has been issued to you. By accepting and using
this card, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions
contained in this Agreement. In this Agreement, "Card" means
the Card issued to you by MetaBank. "You" and "your" means the
person or persons who have received the Card and are authorized to
use the Card as provided for in this Agreement. "We," "us," and "our"
mean MetaBank, our successors, affiliates or assignees. The
Card will remain the property of MetaBank and must be surrendered
upon demand. The Card is nontransferable, and it may be
canceled, repossessed, or revoked at any time without prior notice
subject to applicable law. Please read this Agreement carefully
and keep it for future reference.
The Card is a
prepaid card. The Card allows you to access funds you place on the
Card. The Card does not constitute a checking, savings or other
bank account and is not connected in any way to any other account you
may have. The Card is not a credit card. You will not receive
any interest on your funds on the
Card.
2. Authorized
Users: You may request an additional Card for another person.
You may also permit another person to have access to your Card or
Card number. However, if you do, you are liable for all
transactions made with the Card or Card number by those
persons. You must notify us to revoke permission for any person
you previously authorized to use your Card. You are responsible
for all transactions and fees incurred by you or any other person you
have authorized. If you tell us to revoke another person's use
of your Card, we may revoke your Card and issue a new Card with a
different number. You are wholly responsible for the use of
each Card according to the terms of this
Agreement.
3. Personal
Identification Number ("PIN"): We may, at our option, give you
a Personal Identification Number ("PIN"). If we give you a PIN,
you may use your Card to obtain Cash from any Automated Teller
Machine ("ATM") that bears the logos displayed on your card or make
purchases from merchants participating in the networks displayed on
your card. All ATM transactions are treated as Cash withdrawal
transactions. You should not write or keep your PIN with your
Card. If you believe that anyone has gained unauthorized access to
your PIN, you should advise us immediately, following the procedures
in the paragraph labeled "Your Liability for Unauthorized
Transfers."
4. Loading Your
Card: You may add funds to your Card, called "value loading",
at any time. The amount of each value load must be at least
$10.00. You may value load your cards two times per day.
However, the maximum value load you may place on your Card when
aggregated with any other cards you have authorized is restricted to
$2,500.
5. Using Your
Card
*** You may use your Card to purchase or
lease goods or services wherever the Card is honored as long as you
do not exceed the value available on your Card. You are responsible
for all transactions initiated by use of your Card. If you permit
someone else to use your Card we will treat this as if you have
authorized such use and you will be responsible for any transactions
made subject to such use. If you do not have enough value
loaded on your Card you can instruct the merchant to charge a part of
the purchase to the Card and pay the remaining amount with cash or
another card. These are called "split transactions". Some
merchants do not allow cardholders to conduct split transactions.
Some merchants will only allow you to do a split transaction if
you pay the remaining amount in
cash.
If you use
your Card number without presenting your Card (such as for a mail
order or telephone purchase), the legal effect will be the same as if
you used the Card itself. For security reasons, we may limit the
amount or number of transactions you can make on your Card.
Your Card cannot be redeemed for cash. You may use your Card to
access cash at an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). You may not
use your Card for any illegal transactions, use at casinos, and any
gambling activity.
The maximum
cumulative amount that can be withdrawn from ATMs or Bank Tellers per
day is $2,500. You should keep track of the amount of value loaded on
Cards issued to you.
*** You may call us at the Customer
Service number shown on your Card and listed below at any time to
obtain the current value on your Card. To reach us, call
toll-free 1-800-783-0000 for the balance. Our business hours are
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time, excluding
bank holidays.
Each time you
use your Card, you authorize us to reduce the value available on your
Card by the amount of the transaction. You are not allowed to exceed
the available amount on your Card through an individual transaction
or a series of transactions. Nevertheless, if a transaction
exceeds the balance of the funds available on your Card (creating a
"shortage") you shall remain fully liable to us for the amount of the
transaction and any applicable fees or charges. We reserve the right
to bill you for any shortage together with a shortage fee of
$4.95. You agree to pay us promptly for the shortage and any
applicable shortage fees. We also reserve the right to cancel
this Card should you create one or more shortages with your
Card.
You do not
have the right to stop payment on any purchase transaction originated
by use of your Card. If you authorize a transaction and then
fail to make a purchase of that item as planned, the approval may
result in a hold for that amount of funds for up to ten (10)
days.
6. Returns and
Refunds
*** If you are entitled to a refund for
any reason for goods or services obtained with your Card, you agree
to accept credits to your Card for such refunds. The amounts
credited to your Card for refunds may not be available for up to five
(5) days from the date the refund transaction
occurs.
7. Foreign
Transactions
*** Effective April 2, 2005, the
exchange rate for transactions in a foreign currency will be a rate
selected by Visa from the range of rates available in wholesale
currency markets for the applicable central processing date, which
rate may vary from the rate Visa itself receives, or the government
mandated rate in effect for the applicable central processing
date.
8. Receipts
*** You should get a receipt at the time
you make a transaction or obtain cash using your Card. You agree to
retain your receipt to verify your
transactions.
9. Periodic
Statements
*** Statements in electronic format will
be made available free of charge at www.GenieCard.com during each
month in which a transaction occurs. You may choose to have a
paper statement mailed to you. However, there is a fee for this
service.
10. Fees and Charges
*** Fees and Charges for use of your
Card are described in the Schedule of Cardholder Fees. Additional
fees that may be charged by banks or other processors for the use of
your Card will be passed on to you. When you use an ATM not owned by
us, in addition to the fees shown in the Schedule of Cardholder Fees,
the ATM operator or owner may charge you an additional
fee.
11. Confidentiality
*** We may disclose information to third
parties about your Card or the transactions you make:
*** (1) Where it is necessary for
completing transactions;
*** (2) In order to verify the existence
and condition of your Card for a third party, such as merchant;
*** (3) In order to comply with
government agency, court order, or other legal reporting
requirements;
*** (4) If you give us your written
permission, or;
*** (5) To our employees, auditors,
affiliates, service providers, or attorneys as
needed.
12. Our Liability for Failure to
Complete Transactions
*** We will not be liable for failing to
complete transactions if:
*** (1) If, through no fault of ours,
you do not have enough funds available on your Card to complete the
transaction;
*** (2) If a merchant refuses to accept
your Card;
*** (3) If an ATM where you are making a
cash withdrawal does not have enough cash;
*** (4) If an electronic terminal where
you are making a transaction does not operate properly;
*** (5) If access to your Card has been
blocked after you reported your Card lost or stolen;
*** (6) If there is a hold or your funds
are subject to legal process or other encumbrance restricting their
use;
*** (7) If we have reason to believe the
requested transaction is unauthorized;
*** (8) If circumstances beyond our
control (such as fire, flood or computer or communication failure)
prevent the completion of the transaction, despite reasonable
precautions that we have taken;
*** (9) Any other exception stated in
our Agreement with you.
13. Your Liability for Unauthorized
Transfers
*** Tell us AT ONCE if you believe your
Card has been lost or stolen. Telephoning toll-free at 1-800-783-0000
is the best way of keeping your possible losses down. IF YOU BELIEVE
THAT YOUR CARD HAS BEEN STOLEN, OR THAT SOMEONE HAS TRANSFERRED OR
MAY TRANSFER MONEY FROM YOUR CARD WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION, CALL US
TOLL FREE AT 1-800-783-0000. WE WILL CANCEL THE CARD AND WILL
REIMBURSE YOU FOR THE REMAINING VALUE STILL ON THE CARD AS OF THE
TIME YOU NOTIFY US. IF YOU NOTIFY US WITHIN TWO (2)
BUSINESS DAYS OF THE LOSS OR THEFT, AND SOMEONE HAS USED YOUR CARD
WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION, WE WILL ALSO REIMBURSE YOU FOR ANY FUNDS
TAKEN FROM THE CARD WITHOUT PERMISSION. IF YOU DO NOT
NOTIFY US WITHIN TWO (2) BUSINESS DAYS AFTER YOU LEARN OF THE LOSS OR
THEFT OF YOUR CARD AND WE CAN PROVE THAT WE COULD HAVE STOPPED
SOMEONE FROM USING YOUR CARD WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION IF YOU HAD
PROMPTLY NOTIFIED US WE WILL NOT REIMBURSE ANY OF YOUR LOSES.
Also, if your statement shows transactions that you did not make,
notify us at once. If you do not tell us within 60 days after
the statement was made available to you, you may not get back any
money you lost after the 60 days if we can prove that we could have
stopped someone from taking the money if you had told us in
time. If your Card has been lost or stolen, we will close your
Card Account to keep losses down. We reserve the right to investigate
any claim you may make with respect to a lost or stolen Card, and you
agree to cooperate with such
investigation.
14. Other Terms
*** Your Card and your obligations under
this Agreement may not be assigned. We may transfer our rights
under this Agreement. Use of your Card is subject to all applicable
rules and customs of any clearinghouse or other association involved
in transactions. We do not waive our rights by delaying or failing to
exercise them at anytime. If any provision of this Agreement
shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable under any rule,
law, or regulation of any governmental agency, local, state, or
federal, the validity or enforceability of any other provision of
this Agreement shall not be affected. This Agreement will be
governed by the law of the State of South Dakota except to the extent
governed by federal law.
15. Amendment and Cancellation
*** We may amend or change the terms of
this Agreement at any time. You will be notified of any change in the
manner provided by applicable law prior to the effective date of the
change. However, if the change is made for security purposes, we can
implement such change without prior
notice.
We may cancel
or suspend your Card or this Agreement at any time. You may cancel
this Agreement by returning the Card to us. Your termination of this
Agreement will not affect any of our rights or your obligations
arising under this Agreement prior to
termination.
16. Information About Your Right to
Dispute Errors
*** In case of errors or questions about
your Card transactions, call 1-800-783-0000 or write to GenieCard
Customer Service, 15760 Ventura Blvd, Suite A10, Encino, CA 91436,
USA, if you think your statement or receipt is wrong or if you need
more information about a transaction listed on the statement or
receipt. You must contact us no later than sixty (60) days
after we have sent you the FIRST statement on which the problem or
error appeared.
*** (1) Provide your name and Card
number (if any);
*** (2) Describe the error or the
transaction you are unsure about, and explain why you believe it is
an error or why you need more information;
*** (3) Provide the dollar amount of the
suspected error.
If you provide
this information orally, we may require that you send your complaint
or question in writing within ten (10) business days. We will
determine whether an error occurred within ten (10) business days
after we hear from you and will correct any error promptly. If we
need more time, however, we may take up to forty-five (45) days to
investigate your complaint or question. If we ask you to put
your complaint or question in writing and you do not provide it
within ten (10) business days, we may not credit your
Card.
For errors
involving new Cards, point-of-sale, or foreign-initiated
transactions, we may take up to ninety (90) days to investigate your
complaint or question. We will tell you the results within three (3)
business days after completing the investigation. If we decide that
there was no error, we will send you a written explanation. Copies of
the documents used in the investigation may be obtained by contacting
Customer Service at the phone number and address listed
above.
17. Privacy and Data Protection
*** (i) Information We Collect
("Cardholder Information"):
*** (a) Information about purchases made
with the Card, such as date of purchase, amount and place of
purchase
*** (b) Information you provide to us
when you apply for a Card, or for replacement Cards or when you
contact us with customer service issues, such as name, address, phone
number.
(ii)
Information Security: Only those persons who need it to perform
their job responsibilities are authorized to have access to
Cardholder Information. In addition, we maintain physical, electronic
and procedural security measures that comply with federal regulations
to safeguard Cardholder
Information.
(iii)
Disclosure: We may use Cardholder Information to provide
customer services, to process claims for lost or stolen Cards, to
develop marketing programs, to help protect against fraud and to
conduct research and analysis. In addition, it is often
necessary for us to disclose Cardholder Information for the same
purposes to companies that work with us. For example, we may
provide certain Cardholder Information to companies that perform
business operations or services, on our behalf. We may also
provide certain Cardholder Information to others as permitted by law,
such as government entities or other third parties in response to
subpoenas.
18. Telephone Monitoring/Recording
*** From time to time we may monitor
and/or record telephone calls between you and us to assure the
quality of our customer service or as required by applicable
law.
19. No Warranty Regarding Goods and
Services and Disclaimer of Liability
*** We are not responsible for the
quality, safety, legality, or any other aspect of any goods or
services you purchase with your Card. In no event will we be
liable for consequential (including lost profits), extraordinary,
special, or punitive damages.
20. Arbitration
*** (a) Purpose: This Arbitration
Provision sets forth the circumstances and procedures under which
claims (as defined below) may be arbitrated instead of litigated in
court.
*** (b) Definitions: As used in
this Arbitration Provision, the term "Claim" means any claim, dispute
or controversy between you and us arising from or relating to the
Card or this Agreement as well as any related or prior agreement that
you may have had with us or the relationships resulting from this
Agreement, including the validity, enforceability or scope of this
Arbitration Provision or the Agreements. "Claim" includes
claims of every kind and nature, including but not limited to initial
claims, counterclaims, cross-claims and third-party claims and claims
based upon contract, tort, fraud and other intentional torts,
statutes, regulations, common law and equity. The term "Claim"
is to be given the broadest possible meaning that will be enforced
and includes, by way of example and without limitation, any claim,
dispute or controversy that arises from or relates to (i) your Card,
or the Cards of any Additional Cardholders designated by you; (ii)
the amount of Available Funds on the Cards; (iii) advertisements,
promotions or oral or written statements related to the Cards, goods
or services purchased with the Cards; (iv) the benefits and services
related to the Cards; and (v) your enrollment for any
Card.
As used in the
Arbitration Provision, the terms "we" and "us" shall for all purposes
mean the Bank, wholly or majority owned subsidiaries, affiliates,
licensees, predecessors, successors, and assigns; and all of their
agents, employees, directors and representatives. In addition,
"we" or "us" shall include any third party using or providing any
product, service or benefit in connection with any Cards (including,
but not limited to merchants who accept the Card, third parties who
use or provide services, debt collectors and all of their agents,
employees, directors and representatives) if, and only if, such third
party is named as a co-party with us (or files a Claim with or
against us) in connection with a Claim asserted by you. As solely
used in this Arbitration Provision, the terms "you" or "yours" shall
mean all persons or entities approved by us to have and/or use a
Card, including but not limited to all persons or entities
contractually obligated under any of the Agreements and all
Additional Cardholders.
(c) Initiation
of Arbitration Proceeding/Selection of Administrator: Any
Claim shall be resolved, upon the election by you or us, by
arbitration pursuant to this Arbitration Provision and the code of
procedures of the national arbitration organization to which the
Claim is referred in effect at the time the Claim is filed.
Claims shall be referred to either the National Arbitration Forum
("NAF"), JAMS, or the American Arbitration Association ("AAA"), as
selected by the party electing to use arbitration. If a
selection by us of one of these organizations is unacceptable to you,
you shall have the right within 30 days after you receive notice of
our election to select either of the other organizations listed to
serve as arbitrator administrator. For a copy of the
procedures, to file a Claim or for other information about these
organizations, contact them as follows: (i) the NAF at P.O. Box
50191, Minneapolis, MN 55404; website at www.arbitration-forum.com;
(ii) JAMS at 1920 Main Street, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 92614;
website at www.jamsadr.com; (iii) AAA at 335 Madison Avenue, New
York, NY 10017; website at www.adr.org
.
(d)
Significance of Arbitration: IF ARBITARTION IS CHOSEN BY ANY
PARTY WITH RESPECT TO A CLAIM, NEITHER YOU NOR WE WILL HAVE THE RIGHT
TO LITIGATE THAT CLAIM IN COURT OR HAVE A JURY TRIAL ON THAT CLAIM,
OR TO ENGAGE IN DISCOVERY EXCEPT AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE CODE OF
PROCEDURES OF THE NAF, JAMS, OR AAA, AS APPLICABLE (THE
"CODE"). FURTHER, YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN
A REPRESNTATIVE CAPACITY OR AS A MEMBER OF ANY CLASS OF CLAIMANTS
PERTAINING TO ANY CLAIM SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION. EXCEPT AS SET
FORTH BELOW, THE ARBITRATOR'S DECISION WILL BE FINAL AND
BINDING. NOTE THAT OTHER RIGHTS THAT YOU WOULD HAVE IF YOU WENT
TO COURT ALSO MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN
ARBITRATION.
(e)
Restrictions on Arbitration: If either party elects to resolve
a Claim by arbitration, that Claim shall be arbitrated on an
individual basis. There shall be no right or authority for any
Claims to be arbitrated on a class action basis or on bases involving
Claims brought in a purported representative capacity on behalf of
the general public, other Cardholders or other persons similarly
situated. The arbitrator's authority to resolve Claims is
limited to Claims between you and us alone, and the arbitrator's
authority to make awards is limited to you and us alone.
Furthermore, Claims brought by you against us or by us against you
may not be joined or consolidated in arbitration with Claims brought
by or against someone other than you, unless otherwise agreed to in
writing by all parties.
(f)
Location of Arbitration/Payment of Fees: Any arbitration
hearing that you attend shall take place in the federal judicial
district of your residence. At your written request, we will
consider in good faith making a temporary advance of all or part of
the filing administrative and/or hearing fees for any Claim you
initiate as to which you or we seek arbitration. At the
conclusion of the arbitration (or any appeal thereof), the arbitrator
(or panel) will decide who will ultimately be responsible for paying
the filing, administrative and/or hearing fees in connection with the
arbitration (or appeal). If and to the extent you incur filing,
administrative and/or hearing fees in arbitration, including for any
appeal, exceeding the amount they would have been if the Claim had
been brought in the state or federal court which is closest to your
billing address an would have had jurisdiction over the Claim, we
will reimburse you to that extent unless the arbitrator (or panel)
determines that the fees were incurred without any substantial
justification.
(g)
Arbitration Procedures: This Arbitration Provision is made
pursuant to a transaction involving interstate commerce, and shall be
governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. Sections 1-16, as
it may be amended (the "FAA"). The arbitration shall be
governed by the applicable Code, except that (to the extent
enforceable under the FAA) this arbitration Provision shall control
if it is inconsistent with the applicable Code. The arbitrator
shall apply applicable substantive law consistent with the FAA and
applicable status of limitations and shall honor claims of privilege
recognized at law and, at the timely request of either party, shall
provide a brief written explanation of the basis for the
decision. In conducting the arbitration proceeding, the
arbitrator shall not apply the Federal or any state rules of civil
procedure or rules of evidence. Either party may submit a
request to the arbitrator to expand the scope of discovery allowable
under the applicable Code. The party submitting such a request
must provide a copy to the other party, who may submit objections to
the arbitrator with a copy of the objections provided to the request
party, within fifteen (15) days of receiving the requesting party's
notice. The granting or denial of such request will be in the
sole discretion of the arbitrator who shall notify the parties of
his/her decision with in twenty (20) days of the objecting party's
submission. The arbitrator shall take reasonable steps to
preserve the privacy of individuals, and of business matters.
Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in
any court having jurisdiction. The arbitrator's decision will
be final and binding, except for any right of appeal provided by the
FAA. However, any party can appeal that award to a
three-arbitrator panel administered by the same arbitration
organization, which shall consider anew any aspect of the initial
award objected to by the appealing party. The appealing party
shall have thirty (30) days from the date of entry of the written
arbitration award to notify the arbitration organization that it is
exercising the right of appeal. The appeal shall be filed with
the arbitration organization in the form of a dated writing.
The arbitration organization will then notify the other party that
the award has been appealed. The arbitration organization will
appoint a three-arbitrator panel which will conduct arbitration
pursuant to its Code and issue its decision within one hundred and
twenty (120) days of the date of the appellant's written
notice. The decision of the panel shall be by majority vote and
shall be final and binding.
(h)
Continuation: This Arbitration Provision shall survive
termination of your Card as well as voluntary payment of the debt in
full by you, any legal proceeding by us to collect a debt owed by
you, and any bankruptcy by you or us. If any portion of this
Arbitration Provision is deemed invalid or unenforceable under any
principle or provision of law or equity, consistent with the FAA, it
shall not invalidate the remaining portions of this Arbitration
Provision, the Agreement or any prior agreement you may have had with
us, each of which shall be enforceable regardless of such
invalidity.
Telecommunication Services
The GenieCard
integrates financial and telecommunications services into one
seamless service.
1. Calling Card
Services: In addition to the financial services described above,
GenieCard is also a prepaid card phone card with FollowMe and
voicemail services. GenieCard allows you to make and receive both
domestic and international telephone calls. GenieCard includes a
calling card account with EasyTel.Net, the service provider for these
services. GenieCard is not a telephone credit card; all services are
provided on a prepaid basis only.
2. Responsibility and
Authorized Users: You may permit another person to have access to
your Card or Card number. However, if you do, you are liable
for all telephone calls made with the Card or Card number by those
persons. In addition, you are wholly responsible for all
transactions and fees incurred by you or any other person you have
authorized to use your GenieCard according to the terms of this
Agreement.
3. Personal
Identification Number ("PIN"): We may, at our option, give you
a Personal Identification Number ("PIN"). If we give you a PIN,
you may use your GenieCard to make and or receive telephone calls
anywhere anytime. You should not write or keep your PIN with
your Card. If you believe that anyone has gained unauthorized
access to your PIN, you should advise us
immediately.
4. Loading Your
Calling Card Balance: You may add funds to your calling card
balance anytime by calling 1-800-783-0000 and following the prompts
to transfer money to your calling card balance. The amount of each
transfer must be at least $5.00.
5. Using Your
Card
*** To Place a Call:
*** Call toll-free 1-800-783-0000
*** Enter the last 8 digits printed on
your GenieCard
*** Enter your 4 digit Access Code
*** Press 1 for calling card
access
For Domestic
Calls:
*** Area Code + Phone
Number
For
International Calls:
*** 011 + Country Code + City Code +
Phone Number
***