Q How is the True Link Visa card different from a normal Visa credit card?
The Visa card that UPMA offers is a pre-paid, reloadable, debit card that’s loaded from the liquidation of your UPMA holdings/metals. This is the only way the card can be loaded with funds. UPMA members need to have metals in their account prior to ordering, activating and using the card.
Q What is the advantage of storing my value in metals and using a Visa card with UPMA?
This allows members to store their value in a form that is not subject to inflation and preserves purchasing power over time (the great advantages of value in precious metals), and as they need to they can use portions for everyday purchases using US paper dollars.
Q What role does True Link Financial and UPMA play in providing the Visa cards?
True Link Financial verifies identification, produces the card, and ships it out. UPMA loads funds onto the card.
Q Will True Link pull my credit history to see if I qualify for a card?
No. UPMA offers a reloadable, Visa debit card that is only loaded with the liquidation of UPMA vaulted metals. Since credit-worthiness is not an issue there will be no credit checks.
Q How much does it cost to order a Visa card?
There is no cost to order and hold the card. However, once the card is activated it costs 25 gold cents each month (averaging around $10 US paper dollars each month.)
Q Is there any way the monthly fee for an activated Visa can be waived:
Yes. The monthly visa fee (25 gold cents) can be waived if:1) you don't activate the card and keep it for emergency purposes only 2) you put in a net deposit of $1,000 monthly into UPMA or 3) you have vaulted with us an excess value equal to 1000 Gold Dollars.
Q Can the Visa be used for emergencies, and only activated if needed?
Yes. Members may order the Visa card and not activate it. They can hold onto it and if an emergency arises, they can activate and load the card within one business day. This incurs no monthly fee.
Q How do I order a True Link Visa debit card?
You can go online and log in to your UPMA account. Once you select the dashboard, you can press the “Order Card” button on the “Cards” tile. If you experience any issues simply contact the UPMA staff and they can order a card for you, or they can confirm if a card was actually ordered.
Q What is the criteria for having a Visa card ordered?
Your full address needs to be inputted into your UPMA profile
Your birth date needs to be inputted into your UPMA profile
You need at least $50 USD worth of holdings in your UPMA account
Q How long does it take for the Visa card to arrive once it’s ordered?
It takes 2-3 weeks to arrive. The True Link Financial staff is small and many of their processes are manual. However, they work hard to provide high customer satisfaction.
Q Can I have my Visa card delivery expedited?
Yes, it will cost about $30 US paper dollars and will take about 2 days. It will come with tracking.
Q Can I use paper dollars to load onto my Visa card?
No. The Visa is funded only through the liquidation of your UPMA metals. In other words, the only way to get USD paper dollar value onto your True Link Visa card is to have gold and or silver UPMA holdings liquidated from your UPMA account and have the value placed on your Visa card as US paper dollars.
Q How do I get my Visa card loaded?
Make your request by asking the UPMA staff either through a phone call (at 888-210-8488) or in an email ([email protected]). The UPMA offices are M-F 10 am to 6 pm, 10 - 2pm Sat. MST time. Additionally, you can participate in the "optional monthly auto reload.”
Q What do I need to tell the UPMA staff when I make a request to load funds onto my card?
You’ll need to tell the staff:
What metals you would like liquidated
How much in paper dollars you would loaded onto the card
Q How long does it take to liquidate my holdings and funds added to my card?
Our policy is that your card will be loaded the next business day at the next business day’s rate.
Q What does the term “optional monthly auto reload” mean?
You can set the card to reload to a specific amount that you pre-determine. After you spend down during the month, the card is automatically brought up to that set limit near the first business day of the next month. Once this is set up it occurs automatically. Of course you can cancel this at any time or change the reload amount any time. (If you leave the field blank or with a 0 in it you will not participate in this program).
Q If I choose to participate in to the “optional monthly auto reload” can I still do other loads onto the card?
Yes. Even if you participate in the monthly auto reload you can always do any additional loads onto the card as you need.
Q Can I use my Visa card to pay bills?
It depends on the business. If the business accepts Visa cards then they should accept the True Link Visa card also. We recommend you call and check with them.
Q If I make a deposit into UPMA for my Visa card, can I load my Visa card right away?
UPMA members need to be cautioned that ACH deposits into UPMA may take 60 days to clear. Funds received via ACH are not good to go onto Visa cards till after the 60-day period. However, funds received into UPMA in cash, in metals, as a wire, personal check, cashier's check, or money order are generally considered good immediately and can be put on your True Link card almost immediately.
Q When I liquidate my metals for the Visa do I get the same buy/sell spread?
Yes. If you buy metals with UPMA and then liquidate them to put value onto your Visa card it will be done at the 0% buy/sell spread. This applies to both gold and silver holdings.
Q How do I activate the card?
Once you receive the card, call True Link Financial to activate the card. They will also help you establish a PIN number. Their number is on the back of the card or you can look them up at https://www.truelinkfinancial.com/
Q Once I activate my Visa will it automatically be loaded with funds?
No. Once you activate your Visa then you need to contact UPMA and ask them to load funds onto your card. No funds will be loaded until you make the request.
Q Does my Visa have all the standard protections that Visa offers?
Absolutely yes, including the zero fraud liability, and this applies to global use.
Q Do I need to be a US citizen to order a Visa card?
No. However, identity needs to be verified per the guidelines from the Department of Homeland Security. True Link is required by the Patriot Act to collect two forms of valid ID. The first must be a current, government-issued photo ID, which could be a Driver’s License or a Passport or a State-Issued Identification Card. The second form of ID, can be any of the following: Utility bill, lease agreement, current pay-stub, bank or credit card statement showing customer’s name and current address, state-issued birth certificate, marriage license, Social Security or Medicaid award letter, school or work ID with photo, or ITIN letter.
Q Can I expedite the identification verification process with True Link Financial?
Yes. You may send True Link Financial ID documents ahead of time to expedite the verification process. Sending an email scan or image is generally the best and clearest way to send documents to True Link Financial. You can send the documents via email, fax, or mail:
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (415) 380-0883
Postal Mail: PO Box 581, San Francisco, CA 94104
Q After I sign up how can I keep track of my account balance and purchasing history?
You may log into your True Link Visa account anytime 24/7. Click onto the following https://www.truelinkfinancial.com/ Log in as a True Link card user.