A Step-by-Step Guide to Paying Your SECU Credit Card Bill

For many consumers credit cards provide convenient access to funds and useful rewards programs. However they also come with the responsibility of paying your bill on time each month. SECU, one of the largest credit unions in the U.S., offers multiple options for members to easily pay their credit card statements. This article will walk through the various methods you can use to pay your SECU credit card bill.

Overview of SECU Credit Cards

SECU stands for State Employees’ Credit Union. It is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative serving over 2 million members across North Carolina. The credit union offers a wide array of financial services, including savings and checking accounts, auto loans, mortgages, and credit cards.

SECU provides several different credit card options to match members’ needs:

• Cash Rewards Card – Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases

• Travel Rewards Card – Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases

• 1.9% Balance Transfer Card – Get a low intro APR on balance transfers for 12 months

• Student Cash Back Card – Designed for college students to build credit and earn cash back

• Platinum Card – A basic, no-frills card with no annual fee

• Secured Card – Requires a security deposit that establishes your line of credit

No matter which SECU credit card you have, you will need to pay your monthly bill on time to avoid late fees and interest charges. SECU offers several convenient ways to do this.

Paying Your SECU Credit Card Bill Online

The easiest way to pay your SECU credit card bill is through the credit union’s free online banking system called Member Access. With Member Access you can:

• View your current credit card balance
• See recent transactions and download statements
• Make one-time credit card payments
• Set up recurring automatic payments

Follow these simple steps to pay your credit card bill through Member Access:

1. Go to www.ncsecu.org and click on “Member Access” at the top of the screen.

2. Log into your account with your username and password.

3. From the main menu, select “Payments & Transfers” followed by “Make a Payment.”

4. Choose the credit card account you want to make a payment to.

5. Enter the payment amount and date.

6. Select which SECU account the funds should transfer from.

7. Verify the details and click “Make Payment” to complete the process.

That’s all there is to it! The payment will usually process within 1-2 business days. You’ll see the transaction on both your credit card and funding account statements.

Paying online lets you knock out your credit card bill quickly whenever it’s convenient for you, without stamps or paper checks. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your payment was received on time.

Paying Your Credit Card Bill by Phone

Another fast and easy option is to pay your SECU credit card bill over the phone using the credit union’s automated phone payment system.

To make a payment by phone, simply:

• Call 1-888-732-8562
• When prompted, select “Credit Card Payment”
• Enter your full account number and payment amount
• Specify which SECU account the money should come from
• Follow the voice cues to authorize and complete the payment

The automated system is available 24/7 so you can take care of your credit card bill on your schedule. Phone payments usually process by the next business day.

Paying at a Branch or ATM

If you prefer handling financial transactions face-to-face, SECU offers a few other ways to pay your credit card bill.

You can visit any SECU branch during business hours and make a payment in person. Talk to a member services representative and they can quickly process a credit card payment transfer from another SECU account you own.

SECU’s network of CashPoints® ATMs also allow credit card payments. Simply insert your SECU debit or credit card, select “Make a Payment,” choose the card account, enter the amount, and complete the transaction.

Paying at a branch or ATM allows you to get same day credit for your payment. The funds transfer immediately from your SECU deposit account to the credit card balance.

Tips for Managing Credit Card Payments

• Schedule automatic recurring payments through Member Access to ensure your bill always gets paid on time every month.

• Sign up for email or text alerts when your statement is ready and a payment is due to avoid forgetting.

• Pay more than the minimum amount due whenever possible to lower your overall interest charges.

• Time payments to occur shortly after your direct deposits or paydays for the best account balance.

• Keep track of payment deadlines and confirmation numbers in case you need to reference them later.

Paying your credit card bill does not need to be a chore, especially with SECU’s convenient online, phone, ATM, and in-person payment options. Choose the method that best matches your preferences and bill payment will be a breeze each month.

Why Paying Credit Cards On Time Matters

Paying your credit card bills on time every month is extremely important for several reasons:

**1. Avoid late fees – ** Credit card issuers typically charge late fees between $25-$35 when you miss the minimum payment deadline. These can add up quickly.

2. Maintain credit score – Payment history is the biggest factor in your FICO credit score calculation. When payments are late, it drags down your score. Timely payments help your score.

3. Prevent interest charges – Most credit cards have high ongoing interest rates around 15-25%. You’ll rack up interest on your balance when payments are late.

4. Sustain credit line – Issuers can lower your credit limit or even cancel your card if payments are frequently late. This reduces access to credit.

5. Avoid collections – Delinquent accounts get turned over to collections which destroys your credit. This makes future borrowing very difficult.

6. Build creditworthiness – Responsible credit card management demonstrates you are creditworthy and qualified for loans and better interest rates.

7. Maintain account benefits – Most credit card rewards programs require your account be in good standing to earn and redeem points or cash back.

Avoid headaches by carefully noting payment deadlines and scheduling on-time payments. Your credit score and financial health depend on it!

Options If You Cannot Pay Your Bill

Despite your best intentions, an unexpected financial crisis may leave you unable to pay your credit card bill in full one month. Here are some options to consider if this happens:

• Pay whatever you can – Even a partial payment shows good faith effort and prevents the account from becoming delinquent.

• Request due date change – Contact the issuer and ask them to move your due date to better align with your pay schedule.

• Seek lower interest rate – Ask the issuer if they can temporarily reduce your interest charges to lessen the balance impact.

• Use bill negotiations – Work with the issuer to create a hardship repayment plan at lower or waived fees.

• Consolidate debt – Transfer balances to a lower rate card or take a debt consolidation loan to reduce interest owed.

• Use savings – Withdraw funds from an emergency savings account to cover the gap temporarily.

The key is communicating proactively with your card issuer. They may be able to offer some solutions to help you get through the temporary financial difficulty. Be sure to get any assistance agreements in writing.

Key Takeaways

• SECU offers several credit card options with cash back, travel rewards, balance transfers, and other features.

• Pay your SECU credit card bill through free Member Access online banking for quick and simple payments.

• Use the automated phone payment system to take care of your bill 24/7 by phone.

• Visit a SECU branch or ATM to make same day in-person payments.

• Pay on time every month to avoid fees, interest, and credit score damage.

• If you cannot pay in full, communicate with SECU immediately to discuss arrangements.

Responsible credit card management includes carefully budgeting for and scheduling timely payments each month. SECU provides multiple convenient bill payment options to fit every lifestyle. Follow these tips and paying your credit card bill will be stress-free!