Health Associates Federal Credit Union

Credit Union Questions & Answers

Health Associates Federal Credit Union is happy to provide answers to common questions about credit unions.

Am I eligible to join Health Associates Federal Credit Union?
What services does my credit union offer?
How often do I receive statements on my account?
When do I receive tax forms regarding my account for interest paid and dividends earned?
How do I change my address?
When is my loan payment due?
How do I obtain account information (i.e. Balance, most recent transactions, etc.)?
What is the US Patriot Act and how does it affect me?
What does escheat mean and how does it affect me?
I reached my Regulation D or "REG D" limit. What's that?
How do I place a stop payment on a check?
How do I place a stop payment on a recurring automatic debit?
How do I perform a wire transfer from my account to another financial institution?
What information do I need to provide to another financial institution if wiring money to my HAFCU account?
What is Check 21 and how does it affect me?
How do I re-order checks for my personal account?
What do I need to do if I believe my account has been fraudulently accessed?
What do I need to do to notify you that my ATM card or credit card has been used fraudulently?
What fees are we charged by the credit union?
How do I withdraw cash or make a deposit?
How do I sign up for home banking?
How do I pay bills online?
How do I change my name on my account?
How do I add or remove a joint owner on my account?
How do I add or delete a beneficiary on my account?
How do I apply for a loan?
I ordered checks or ATM card or VISA Debit card but have not received them. What do I do?
How do I change my ATM card or VISA credit card PIN?
What's the difference between an ATM card and a VISA Debit Card?

Am I eligible to join Health Associates Federal Credit Union?

You are if you or one of your siblings, parents, grandparents, children, cousins, uncles, aunts, spouses, or domestic partner works for either CHOC of Orange, St Joseph Hospital of Orange, Mission Hospital, Laguna Beach (St Joseph affiliated), St Jude Medical (Fullerton), the St. Joseph Pavilion and the St Joseph Health System of Orange, California or if they are already a member of Health Associates Federal Credit Union. Visit one of our offices to pick up an application today.

What services does my credit union offer?

We offer many financial services that are competitive with many national banks but with added personalized service. We offer savings accounts, checking accounts, Share Certificates, and IRA certificates. We also offer overdraft lines of credit, Bankcard Merchant Services, Courtesy Pay, unsecured loans, new and used auto loans, RV and motorcycle loans, home loans, and home equity lines of credit.

How often do I receive statements on my account?

That depends on the account—savings accounts receive statements every quarter, and checking accounts or accounts with a loan receive statements every month. If you'd like e-Statements simply click on the yellow "e-Statement" button found on the top of the Home Page. You'll need your account number to process.

When do I receive tax forms regarding my account for interest paid and dividends earned?

We begin sending your tax forms for account interest paid and dividends earned in January. You should receive all (but 5498's) IRA tax forms in January as well. IRA 5498 forms will be mailed in May.

How do I change my address?

You can change your address either by fax, mail, or in person. We need this request to be in writing with your signature, so unfortunately we can't do this over the phone or via email.

When is my loan payment due?

You get to select your payment due date when signing your loan. You can also elect to make payments once a month or biweekly with automatic transfer. To find out what your due date is simply refer to your monthly statement.

How do I obtain account information (i.e. Balance, most recent transactions, etc.)?

You can find out this information through Online Banking (limited to 90 days), or you can use our automated phone teller at 714-972-3120. You will need a 4-digit PIN for this system. Call 714-972-2992 to obtain your PIN instructions.

What is the US Patriot Act and how does it affect me?

The US Patriot Act became law in 2001 to help law enforcement fight terrorism, identity theft, and money laundering. When opening your account, we must have your name, physical street address (no PO Box), date of birth, and other identifying information. We may ask for other identifying documents as well.

What does escheat mean and how does it affect me?

Escheat is when accounts that are dormant (no activity) for 3 years are turned over to the state of California. As long as there is activity performed on your account at least once a year, your account will not become dormant.

I reached my Regulation D or "REG D" limit. What's that?

Regulation D is a federal rule that limits the number of times you may withdraw from any non-transactional accounts (your savings accounts) each month. You're only allowed six withdrawals per month. If you exceed this limit, you will be charged a fee and the transfer will not occur.

How do I place a stop payment on a check?

You can call to request a stop payment, but it will only last for up to 14 days if you fail to follow up the verbal request in writing with your signature. If you come into one of our branches and make the request, we can place the stop payment for 6 months (the life of a check is generally 6 months before it becomes "stale dated"). There is a fee for each stop payment.

How do I place a stop payment on a recurring automatic debit?

You must sign an affidavit in order to complete this request. This form may be obtained by fax, email or in person. Call 714-972-2992. There is a fee for each stop payment.

How do I perform a wire transfer from my account to another financial institution?

You must fill out an Outgoing Wire form that may either be faxed, emailed or retrieved in person. You must complete the entire form and sign it. It is always best to obtain the proper Wiring Instructions from the receiving institution before you request the wire from the credit union. Wires must be received BEFORE 12:30 pm for same-day processing. There is a fee for each wire. See our Fee Schedule on this web site.

What information do I need to provide to another financial institution if wiring money to my HAFCU account?

You must request and obtain an Incoming Wire form from the credit union. There are 3 steps to complete for a successful wire to your Health Associates FCU account. Do not wire straight to the credit union, there is an additional corporate institution that must receive the wire first. Call 714-972-2992 to have this form faxed to you or emailed to you.

What is Check 21 and how does it affect me?

Check 21 allows banks to process checks electronically by sending check images instead of mailing them to other banks. This reduces the time it takes to process checks and helps us serve you better. Original checks are destroyed but images are still available should you require a copy.

How do I re-order checks for my personal account?

You can call us, make this request in person or click on the Check Ordering button also found on the top of our Home Page. To order on line you will need your check order ID number that can be found on the 3rd or 4th check-book titled, "Order Form."

What do I need to do if I believe my account has been fraudulently accessed?

You can help us fight identity theft by contacting us as soon as possible. This will help us stop future unauthorized transactions. We may also request that you explain in writing what has occurred and we may request that you obtain a police report if you feel you have lost money due to fraud.

What do I need to do to notify you that my ATM card or credit card has been used fraudulently?

Call us as soon as possible so we can prevent any future unauthorized charges. Call 714-972-2992 and follow the instructions.

What fees are we charged by the credit union?

You can see our list of fees by clicking on the Rates and Fees link found on our Home Page.

How do I withdraw cash or make a deposit?

You can use one of our ATMs, a CO-OP Network ATM, nearby participating Service Center (see Service Center Link or connect to cuswirl.com) or come to the Main office (please bring your current picture State ID). Accessing your account from another bank or ATM that is not part of a credit union network may result in a fee.

How do I sign up for home banking?

Just click on the Home Banking button on the top of the Home Page and sign up. You must have your credit union account number and checking and savings account ID numbers. These numbers can be found on your statement.

How do I pay bills online?

You can pay bills online through our Home Banking service. Just click on the Home Banking button on the top of the Home Page and sign up. You must have your credit union account number and checking and savings account ID numbers. These numbers can be found on your statement. Have your billing information available.

How do I change my name on my account?

We will need either a copy of your Marriage Certificate, updated, Valid State ID or any other certified copy of the legal document showing your name change. You will also need to complete a new application signature card. You may need the signatures of the other account signers as well.

How do I add or remove a joint owner on my account?

If you are adding a joint owner, we will need a valid government issued picture ID and the completion of a new application signature card. If you are removing a joint owner, we will also need the joint's signature allowing the termination of his/her contractual obligation to the account.

How do I add or delete a beneficiary on my account?

We can send you a beneficiary card. Simply complete the form and return with your signature for processing. We may call you at a later date to verify your request.

How do I apply for a loan?

You can apply online, by phone (714-972-2992) or in person.

I ordered checks or ATM card or VISA Debit card but have not received them. What do I do?

Processing and delivery of checks, ATM card, or VISA Debit or Credit cards take 7-10 business days. If more than ten days have elapsed, call us so we can help you either replace the card or determine if the card was sent back to the credit union. 714-972-2992.

How do I change my ATM card or VISA credit card PIN?

Unfortunately, you cannot change your PIN at this time; you must order a new, system-generated PIN. Please allow 7 to 10 days for delivery.

What's the difference between an ATM card and a VISA Debit Card?

An ATM card will allow access to your money at ATMs including the ability to conduct Point of Sale transactions at merchants on your checking account. Unfortunately, you cannot conduct Point of Sale on Savings accounts with your ATM card. The VISA Debit Card can do the same as the ATM card but also allows you to make purchases using your card wherever VISA is accepted, typically signature based.