Our security promise to you

Merrill Lynch leads the way in addressing security and privacy concerns. Our financial services provide multiple layers of protection that include leading technology to protect your information on our computer systems, ongoing fraud monitoring to detect any unusual activity in your accounts, and responding quickly in an integrated manner to any reports of theft or fraud.

Your Merrill Lynch Card provides the complete protection you need. We not only take a determined approach in protecting you, but provide information to help you protect yourself and steps to take if you suspect there's a problem.

Merrill Lynch shares responsibility for protecting your privacy and personal information on our computer systems and we encourage you to protect yourself at home, at work - everywhere you go.

Zero Liability Fraud Protection

Visa's Zero Liability policy means 100% protection from unauthorized purchases regardless of where the transaction was made - at a store, on the Internet, by phone or by mail. Should someone steal the card number while you're shopping, online or off, you will pay nothing for the fraudulent activity.

Early Fraud Monitoring

Designed to identify potential fraud if unusual or abnormal spending patterns are detected. Fraud monitoring reviews how and where the card is used.

Warranty Manager Service¹

When you use your Card, we automatically double the free repair period under the original manufacturer's written U.S. repair warranty (up to one additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less). Coverage is provided for up to $10,000 per claim. For more informtion call 1.800.551.8472.

¹ Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

Purchase Security¹

Buy with confidence, knowing your purchases are protected. We'll replace, repair or reimburse you up to a maximum of $10,000 per claim for your card purchases.

¹ Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

AlertSelect^® Credit Monitoring

For a discounted rate of $12.95 per month, MERRILL+ Cardholders can enroll in AlertSelect Credit Monitoring, which helps safeguard your financial life and experience peace of mind by detecting - and protecting against - identity theft, fraud, and unusual account activity. You will also receive ID Theft Insurance Coverage for up to $25,000 ($10,000 for New York State residents) per occurrence, to cover administrative and legal expenses. Visit alertselect.ml.com or call (800) MERRILL and say "Credit Monitoring" to enroll.

Let us know when you're traveling

Unusual events that don't fit your profile such as transactions occurring in several countries in short succession may trigger a fraud alert. So please advise us of your travel dates and locations; it will reduce the chance that you will experience an interruption in service. Just call us at 1.800.MERRILL (637.7455) or contact your Financial Advisor.

3-Digit Code

On the back of your Merrill Lynch Visa^® card you'll find a special 3-digit code (also called Cardholder Verification Value or CVV2) that you may be asked to provide if you're making a transaction online or on the phone. This safeguard measure ensures that you physically have your credit card with you and, in the event someone has stolen your card number (but not your actual physical card), they can't make any purchases.

Travel and Emergency Assistance¹

You, your spouse and children (dependents under 22 years old), can take advantage of a wide range of emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Simply call 1.800.678.0868. If you are traveling outside of the United States, ask an international operator to connect you to +1.614.823.5161.

¹ You must charge the trip to your Total Merrill Cash Back Card to be eligible for this benefit. Visa Travel and Emergency Assistance Services provide assistance and referrals only. You are responsible for the cost of any actual medical or legal services, transporation, cash advance or other services or goods provided. Additional restrictions apply.

Travel Accident Insurance¹

Simply use your Total Merrill Cash Back card to make travel arrangements, and you and your family are automatically covered up to $1,000,000 in accidental death or dismemberment coverage when traveling on a common carrier.

¹ Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver¹

You are covered for damage due to collision or theft up to the actual cash value of most rental cars when certain terms and conditions are met. Coverage is provided to the cardholder and other authorized drivers permitted by the rental contract. For details, call 1.800.VISA.911 (847.2911).

¹ Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please refer to Program Details.

Lost Luggage Reimbursement¹

You're covered for up to $3,000 per trip for checked or carry-on lost luggage and its contents when you purchase your entire fare with your Total Merrill Cash Back card. Please call 1.800.678.0768 for more information.

¹ Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please refer to Program Details.

Travel Tips

Traveler's Checklist
What to Do Before Going Abroad

• Photocopy your passport and driver's license and keep these separate from your travel documents. Photocopy the reverse side of your credit and debit cards, black out the card numbers, and record the card numbers to keep separately from the copies in a safe location. Give copies of everything to someone you can contact in case you need the information.
• Research passport and visa requirements, health and airline regulations and consulate locations.
• Make a list of all pertinent contact information, such as phone numbers for travel cancellations and car rentals. Include Merrill Lynch overseas contact numbers for lost or stolen cards, travel insurance benefits and customer service.
• Contact Merrill Lynch before you leave to advise of upcoming travel plans; this will help ensure your foreign charge transactions are accepted. Once overseas, should your charge be declined, call Merrill Lynch collect via the international operator. Telephone numbers are listed on the back of your card. Collect calls from hotels may incur a significant service charge, so consider using a pay phone.
• Convert your PIN to a four-digit number, as most foreign ATMs will not respond to PINs that are longer.
• Call Merrill Lynch to find out if charges on your credit or debit card will incur a foreign exchange transaction fee while you're abroad.
• Review all travel insurance terms and conditions carefully.

Reporting an Incident

If you suspect identity theft or fraud, it's important to act quickly so your financial institutions and law enforcement officials can respond accordingly. Please review the following steps to report an incident:

Step 1: Contact Merrill Lynch and other financial institutions.

• For Merrill Lynch, please call us at 1.800.MERRILL (637.7455) or contact your Financial Advisor.
• For other financial institutions, call your standard customer service number and ask to speak to the security and fraud department.
• They will take down your information over the phone. Also, make sure you request a fraud dispute form. It is critical you report identity theft and fraud in writing.
• Keep a log of all your calls, with whom you spoke and in what department (including the date and time of the call).
• When the matter is resolved, ask your financial institution to send you a letter stating that your account has been closed and discharged.

Step 2: Notify your other financial institutions.

• It is recommended that you make your other financial institutions aware of your identity theft, in case your problem is more widespread than you originally thought.

Step 3: Contact the three credit bureaus.

• Contact each of the three credit reporting agencies to place a fraud alert:
  • Equifax: 1.800.525.6285 or equifax.com
  • Experian: 1.888.397.3742 or experian.com
  • TransUnion: 1.800.680.7289 or transunion.com

Step 4: Notify the authorities about the theft/fraud.

• File a police report where you suspect the identity theft/fraud occurred.
• Ask to file a "miscellaneous incident" report. It is critical that you either obtain a copy of this report or get a copy of the report's number.
• File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a government agency charged with protecting consumers. The FTC can share your theft report with law enforcement agencies for investigation purposes.
  
  
• Federal Trade Commission (consumer complaints):
  1.877.ID.THEFT (438.4338) or consumer.gov/idtheft
  
  
• If your complaint is related to telemarketing fraud, contact your State Attorney General to report it.

Emergency Card Replacement

If you are alerted of a problem, or in the event of a lost card, we can have a new card in your hand within 24 hours. And, in most cases, we can also send emergency cash to you. Please call us at 1.800.4ML.CREDIT (465.2733) or contact your Financial Advisor.