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FAQs
Card cost, fees and tariffs
How much does my IFX MasterCard Prepaid Currency Card and eccount cost?
The IFX Currency Card costs £10.
Where can I find a list of the fees I will be charged?
You’ll find the fees summary listed on the website, in your User Guide and a full set can be found in our terms and conditions.
Will I be paid interest?
Your IFX Currency Card is a prepaid card and subject to e-money regulations, interest is not paid on this product.
Activating your IFX Currency Card
How do I activate my card?
Your IFX Currency Card is automatically activated when we send it out to you. Simply call our secure automated PIN retrieval service on the number provided on your welcome letter to obtain your PIN, then Top-up your card and it’s ready to use.
How do I get an additional IFX Currency Card for my family, dependants or friends?
Simply request and activate it online. You can have a total of two cards linked to your eccount to share money with your friends and family. An additional card costs £10
Your PIN
How do i get my PIN?
c. a "Pending balance"?
A pending balance is temporary charge held against your available funds. It relates to:
- A transaction (purchase or cash withdrawal) you've made using your IFX Currency Card which has been authorised for payment, but has not yet reached your
eccount;
- 'Reserved' funds requested by certain retailers. (eg. upon check-in some hotels take your IFX Currency Card details for an 'authorisation transaction' that reserves enough funds to cover your bill);
- A payment or cash withdrawal you've made which has not yet cleared.
All balances are displayed under the ‘Summary’ tab.
How to set-up rules for top-up allocation?
The login area allows you to allocate funds as required. If you have multiple cards you can change the way your funds are distributed between your
eccount and card(s), e.g. whenever you Top-up you can allocate half to your eccount and distribute the rest between your card(s). Go to the “Top-up settings” tab to set-up.
Can I order an additional card by logging in online?
You can order additional cards online by going to the “Additional Cards” tab. You will be offered a choice of keeping the eccount/card balance to yourself balance or sharing it with the new cardholder. An additional card costs £10
Topping-up
How do I Top-up my IFX Currency Card?
You can top-up online or via customer care using a registered credit/debit card. You can also make free top ups via bank transfer. Cheques are not accepted.
Using your IFX Currency Card to withdraw and make purchases
Where can I withdraw cash?
You can withdraw cash at any ATM displaying the MasterCard Acceptance Mark. There are over 1.5 million ATMs worldwide. To find one, use our ATM locator.
How much cash can I withdraw with my card each day?
The maximum amount you may withdraw per day from ATMs is €625 / $750 (subject to the country’s limits)
Can I use my IFX Currency Card to get cash from a bank counter?
No, but you can withdraw cash from an ATM which displays the MasterCard Acceptance Mark.
Can I use my IFX Currency Card to make purchases?
Yes, as long as you have sufficient funds on your card, you can shop online, by phone, mail order and in-store to make purchases wherever the MasterCard Acceptance Mark is displayed.
Can I use my IFX Currency Card to guarantee payments or make reservations?
If you are using your card for car hire, hotel reservations, general bookings or to guarantee a payment, the prepaid funds on your card will be pre-authorised and blocked for payment of the services that you request.
o Some businesses - car hire and hotels in particular - may block more funds than you expect to use and this will affect the available balance on your card.
o The blocked funds will not be available to you to use until the final bill has been settled and cleared via MasterCard.
o Usually the unspent amount is made available for use within a day or two of payment, however in some instances it can take up to 14 days for the transaction to be fully processed and for your card to be credited.
Can I use my card to make purchases using Paypal?
Yes, but please note that when registering a IFX Prepaid Card on PayPal, a 'pre-authorisation' is carried out to ensure your card is valid. A pre-authorisation means blocking a small amount of money (usually less than £2) to check that there is available balance. The pre-authorisation expires after 15 days and is never collected from the card. Therefore in order to register your card on PayPal, please ensure you have a minimum of £2 on it.
Are there any outlets where I may not be able to use my IFX Currency Card?
You may not be able to use your IFX Currency Card if a retail outlet is unable to obtain authorisation for the spend you wish to make. Your card may also not be accepted for the hire of a car. This may be due to the extended time period that can occur when a transaction is authorised and when money is deducted from your card. The card can only be used wherever the MasterCard Acceptance Mark is displayed.
What address should I give when I purchase goods online, by mail order or by phone?
The billing address should be the address of the primary cardholder.
What is a pre-authorisation?
A pre-authorisation is carried out when a merchant reserves money on a card to ensure payment for their services. For example, a pub or restaurant may pre-authorise a set amount when you open a tab at the bar. If your final bill is less than the pre-authorised amount it may take a few days for you to receive the balance as a refund onto your card.
My money
How do I check the available money on my card?
If you have registered your mobile number with us, text BAL to 80777. If overseas, text to +44 778 1474 776. You can also check your balance online, via IVR or by calling our automated service on 0871 220 6420. Fees apply (See terms and conditions).
Can I have both, Euro and Dollar cards on my eccount?
Yes, you can have both Euro and Dollar cards on your eccount.
Whenever you transfer funds to your card, you’re effectively ‘locking’ the exchange rate, so you’re protected against adverse currency movements. Because your eccount is in GBP, you avoid the inconvenience of changing unused travelers cheques or currency when you return to the UK.
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your eccount balance, so you ensure you are managing your money efficiently, distributing just what you need to your prepaid cards
Authorising transactions
What if I want to cancel a transaction or card authorisation?
If you decide to cancel a transaction that has already been authorised, it may take a few days before your money can be cleared for use on your card again. In the meantime, you won’t be able to use that money for other transactions.
When are transactions declined?
Transactions can be declined if the retailer can’t verify online that you’ve enough money on your card to cover the value of the transaction – including applicable charges – that you’re making.
Card security
A safe alternative to cash
One of the great things about the IFX Currency Card is that they provide security and peace of mind. Using your IFX Currency Card is a safe alternative to carrying cash. However, we recommend that you take as much care of your card as you would of your cash.
Your PIN
o Memorise your IFX Currency Card Personal Identification Number (PIN).
o Never write down your PIN
o Never store your PIN in the same place as your card.
o Don’t reveal your PIN to anyone.
o If you suspect that someone else knows your PIN, contact us immediately and we’ll issue you with a new one.
o When using a cash machine, shield the screen and keypad.
o You can change your PIN at any ATM.
Online security
Internet shopping with your IFX Currency Card is simple and secure. Most well-known retailers run sites that are very safe and highly secure.
You should never give out your PIN when shopping online. Also, never shop on a site without a ‘secure site’ certificate and be certain that the locked yellow padlock indicator is shown.
In-store security
You can use your IFX Currency Card wherever the MasterCard Acceptance Mark is displayed – that’s over 28 million locations and ATMs worldwide! If you’re entering your PIN to pay for goods or services, be careful and always shield the keypad.
Lost or stolen cards
If you lose your card or it’s stolen, call us immediately on 0845 241 4278 or +44 (0)20 7101 6599 if overseas. We’ll cancel your IFX Currency Card and issue you with a replacement within 7-10 days.
You can also send us a text with LOST or STOLEN to 80777 to report your card lost or stolen. This card service is available if you have registered your mobile number with us.
Peace of mind
Your card is PIN protected. You shouldn’t reveal your PIN to anyone. We will never ask for your PIN.
Phishing
We will never send an email to a customer requesting security or any other confidential information about the IFX MasterCard Prepaid card. If you receive an email claiming to be from IFX or Newcastle Building Society (NBS) with a link to what appears to be IFX or Newcastle Building Society website, do not enter your personal or eccount details. IFX and Newcastle Building Society are in no way involved with this email and the website doesn’t belong to us or Newcastle Building Society. Never reply to any such emails or disclose any personal information on such websites.
If you think you’ve received a fraudulent email that looks like it’s from IFX or Newcastle Building Society, please forward the entire email including the header and footer to security@eccount.com and then delete it from your email account.
Compensation
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme does not apply to the IFX Currency Card. No other compensation schemes exist to cover losses claimed in connection with the IFX Prepaid Card. So, in the unlikely event that Newcastle Building Society becomes insolvent, your funds may become valueless and unusable, which means that, as a result, you may lose your money.
Expiry and eccount closure
What do I do when my IFX Currency Card expires?
We will contact you before the expiry date on your card, to confirm whether you require a free replacement card.
How do I close my eccount?
Simply call Customer Care on +44 (0)20 7096 9454 (charges apply), please see terms and conditions for details.
Any questions or queries?
If there’s anything else you’d like to know about the IFX Currency Card and eccount see your user guide or contact Customer Care 9am – 6pm, on +44 (0)20 7096 9454.
What you should know about the Dynamic Currency Conversion
When you are travelling abroad goods and services are usually offered in the local currency, for example if you visit France the items you buy will be priced in Euros and you will get Euros from an ATM, or if you visit the USA the local currency will be US Dollars. The currency conversion between your Pounds and the local currency can either be carried out by us as your card issuer or the foreign bank that processes payments for the shop or cash machine.
In the case of foreign currency cards, the currency conversion has already been done, in other words you have already given us Pounds and in return we have given you the local currency that you asked for. This is probably the reason that you chose to take one of our cards – the exchange rate we offered was better than the rate you could get on the high street or by allowing the foreign banks to do the conversion for you.
If you are travelling abroad and you withdraw cash from an ATM or buy goods and services from a shop, you may be offered the choice to pay in Pounds Sterling or the local currency. This is because the cash machine or the shop’s till recognises that you have a UK card and therefore you might want to be charged in Pounds Sterling because you are more familiar with prices in Pounds Sterling. This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC).
You should always decline this option and choose to pay in the local currency, i.e.:
1) If you have a Tuxedo Euro Card pay in Euros not Pounds.
2) If you have a Tuxedo Dollar Card pay in Dollars not Pounds.
This is because we have already done the currency conversion so if you choose to pay in Pounds Sterling you will be converting the money again and at a worse rate than you originally got, meaning that you end up paying more for your purchase or withdrawal.
Card cost, fees and tariffs
How much does my IFX MasterCard Prepaid Currency Card and eccount cost?
The IFX Currency Card costs £10.
Where can I find a list of the fees I will be charged?
You’ll find the fees summary listed on the website, in your User Guide and a full set can be found in our terms and conditions.
Will I be paid interest?
Your IFX Currency Card is a prepaid card and subject to e-money regulations, interest is not paid on this product.
Activating your IFX Currency Card
How do I activate my card?
Your IFX Currency Card is automatically activated when we send it out to you. Simply call our secure automated PIN retrieval service on the number provided on your welcome letter to obtain your PIN, then Top-up your card and it’s ready to use.
How do I get an additional IFX Currency Card for my family, dependants or friends?
Simply request and activate it online. You can have a total of two cards linked to your eccount to share money with your friends and family. An additional card costs £10
Your PIN
How do i get my PIN?
c. a "Pending balance"?
A pending balance is temporary charge held against your available funds. It relates to:
- A transaction (purchase or cash withdrawal) you've made using your IFX Currency Card which has been authorised for payment, but has not yet reached your
eccount;
- 'Reserved' funds requested by certain retailers. (eg. upon check-in some hotels take your IFX Currency Card details for an 'authorisation transaction' that reserves enough funds to cover your bill);
- A payment or cash withdrawal you've made which has not yet cleared.
All balances are displayed under the ‘Summary’ tab.
How to set-up rules for top-up allocation?
The login area allows you to allocate funds as required. If you have multiple cards you can change the way your funds are distributed between your
eccount and card(s), e.g. whenever you Top-up you can allocate half to your eccount and distribute the rest between your card(s). Go to the “Top-up settings” tab to set-up.
Can I order an additional card by logging in online?
You can order additional cards online by going to the “Additional Cards” tab. You will be offered a choice of keeping the eccount/card balance to yourself balance or sharing it with the new cardholder. An additional card costs £10
Topping-up
How do I Top-up my IFX Currency Card?
You can top-up online or via customer care using a registered credit/debit card. You can also make free top ups via bank transfer. Cheques are not accepted.
Using your IFX Currency Card to withdraw and make purchases
Where can I withdraw cash?
You can withdraw cash at any ATM displaying the MasterCard Acceptance Mark. There are over 1.5 million ATMs worldwide. To find one, use our ATM locator.
How much cash can I withdraw with my card each day?
The maximum amount you may withdraw per day from ATMs is €625 / $750 (subject to the country’s limits)
Can I use my IFX Currency Card to get cash from a bank counter?
No, but you can withdraw cash from an ATM which displays the MasterCard Acceptance Mark.
Can I use my IFX Currency Card to make purchases?
Yes, as long as you have sufficient funds on your card, you can shop online, by phone, mail order and in-store to make purchases wherever the MasterCard Acceptance Mark is displayed.
Can I use my IFX Currency Card to guarantee payments or make reservations?
If you are using your card for car hire, hotel reservations, general bookings or to guarantee a payment, the prepaid funds on your card will be pre-authorised and blocked for payment of the services that you request.
o Some businesses - car hire and hotels in particular - may block more funds than you expect to use and this will affect the available balance on your card.
o The blocked funds will not be available to you to use until the final bill has been settled and cleared via MasterCard.
o Usually the unspent amount is made available for use within a day or two of payment, however in some instances it can take up to 14 days for the transaction to be fully processed and for your card to be credited.
Can I use my card to make purchases using Paypal?
Yes, but please note that when registering a IFX Prepaid Card on PayPal, a 'pre-authorisation' is carried out to ensure your card is valid. A pre-authorisation means blocking a small amount of money (usually less than £2) to check that there is available balance. The pre-authorisation expires after 15 days and is never collected from the card. Therefore in order to register your card on PayPal, please ensure you have a minimum of £2 on it.
Are there any outlets where I may not be able to use my IFX Currency Card?
You may not be able to use your IFX Currency Card if a retail outlet is unable to obtain authorisation for the spend you wish to make. Your card may also not be accepted for the hire of a car. This may be due to the extended time period that can occur when a transaction is authorised and when money is deducted from your card. The card can only be used wherever the MasterCard Acceptance Mark is displayed.
What address should I give when I purchase goods online, by mail order or by phone?
The billing address should be the address of the primary cardholder.
What is a pre-authorisation?
A pre-authorisation is carried out when a merchant reserves money on a card to ensure payment for their services. For example, a pub or restaurant may pre-authorise a set amount when you open a tab at the bar. If your final bill is less than the pre-authorised amount it may take a few days for you to receive the balance as a refund onto your card.
My money
How do I check the available money on my card?
If you have registered your mobile number with us, text BAL to 80777. If overseas, text to +44 778 1474 776. You can also check your balance online, via IVR or by calling our automated service on 0871 220 6420. Fees apply (See terms and conditions).
Can I have both, Euro and Dollar cards on my eccount?
Yes, you can have both Euro and Dollar cards on your eccount.
Whenever you transfer funds to your card, you’re effectively ‘locking’ the exchange rate, so you’re protected against adverse currency movements. Because your eccount is in GBP, you avoid the inconvenience of changing unused travelers cheques or currency when you return to the UK.
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your eccount balance, so you ensure you are managing your money efficiently, distributing just what you need to your prepaid cards
Authorising transactions
What if I want to cancel a transaction or card authorisation?
If you decide to cancel a transaction that has already been authorised, it may take a few days before your money can be cleared for use on your card again. In the meantime, you won’t be able to use that money for other transactions.
When are transactions declined?
Transactions can be declined if the retailer can’t verify online that you’ve enough money on your card to cover the value of the transaction – including applicable charges – that you’re making.
Card security
A safe alternative to cash
One of the great things about the IFX Currency Card is that they provide security and peace of mind. Using your IFX Currency Card is a safe alternative to carrying cash. However, we recommend that you take as much care of your card as you would of your cash.
Your PIN
o Memorise your IFX Currency Card Personal Identification Number (PIN).
o Never write down your PIN
o Never store your PIN in the same place as your card.
o Don’t reveal your PIN to anyone.
o If you suspect that someone else knows your PIN, contact us immediately and we’ll issue you with a new one.
o When using a cash machine, shield the screen and keypad.
o You can change your PIN at any ATM.
Online security
Internet shopping with your IFX Currency Card is simple and secure. Most well-known retailers run sites that are very safe and highly secure.
You should never give out your PIN when shopping online. Also, never shop on a site without a ‘secure site’ certificate and be certain that the locked yellow padlock indicator is shown.
In-store security
You can use your IFX Currency Card wherever the MasterCard Acceptance Mark is displayed – that’s over 28 million locations and ATMs worldwide! If you’re entering your PIN to pay for goods or services, be careful and always shield the keypad.
Lost or stolen cards
If you lose your card or it’s stolen, call us immediately on 0845 241 4278 or +44 (0)20 7101 6599 if overseas. We’ll cancel your IFX Currency Card and issue you with a replacement within 7-10 days.
You can also send us a text with LOST or STOLEN to 80777 to report your card lost or stolen. This card service is available if you have registered your mobile number with us.
Peace of mind
Your card is PIN protected. You shouldn’t reveal your PIN to anyone. We will never ask for your PIN.
Phishing
We will never send an email to a customer requesting security or any other confidential information about the IFX MasterCard Prepaid card. If you receive an email claiming to be from IFX or Newcastle Building Society (NBS) with a link to what appears to be IFX or Newcastle Building Society website, do not enter your personal or eccount details. IFX and Newcastle Building Society are in no way involved with this email and the website doesn’t belong to us or Newcastle Building Society. Never reply to any such emails or disclose any personal information on such websites.
If you think you’ve received a fraudulent email that looks like it’s from IFX or Newcastle Building Society, please forward the entire email including the header and footer to security@eccount.com and then delete it from your email account.
Compensation
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme does not apply to the IFX Currency Card. No other compensation schemes exist to cover losses claimed in connection with the IFX Prepaid Card. So, in the unlikely event that Newcastle Building Society becomes insolvent, your funds may become valueless and unusable, which means that, as a result, you may lose your money.
Expiry and eccount closure
What do I do when my IFX Currency Card expires?
We will contact you before the expiry date on your card, to confirm whether you require a free replacement card.
How do I close my eccount?
Simply call Customer Care on +44 (0)20 7096 9454 (charges apply), please see terms and conditions for details.
Any questions or queries?
If there’s anything else you’d like to know about the IFX Currency Card and eccount see your user guide or contact Customer Care 9am – 6pm, on +44 (0)20 7096 9454.
What you should know about the Dynamic Currency Conversion
When you are travelling abroad goods and services are usually offered in the local currency, for example if you visit France the items you buy will be priced in Euros and you will get Euros from an ATM, or if you visit the USA the local currency will be US Dollars. The currency conversion between your Pounds and the local currency can either be carried out by us as your card issuer or the foreign bank that processes payments for the shop or cash machine.
In the case of foreign currency cards, the currency conversion has already been done, in other words you have already given us Pounds and in return we have given you the local currency that you asked for. This is probably the reason that you chose to take one of our cards – the exchange rate we offered was better than the rate you could get on the high street or by allowing the foreign banks to do the conversion for you.
If you are travelling abroad and you withdraw cash from an ATM or buy goods and services from a shop, you may be offered the choice to pay in Pounds Sterling or the local currency. This is because the cash machine or the shop’s till recognises that you have a UK card and therefore you might want to be charged in Pounds Sterling because you are more familiar with prices in Pounds Sterling. This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC).
You should always decline this option and choose to pay in the local currency, i.e.:
1) If you have a Tuxedo Euro Card pay in Euros not Pounds.
2) If you have a Tuxedo Dollar Card pay in Dollars not Pounds.
This is because we have already done the currency conversion so if you choose to pay in Pounds Sterling you will be converting the money again and at a worse rate than you originally got, meaning that you end up paying more for your purchase or withdrawal.
