FAQs & Contact Us

Select the category that best describes your inquiry.

Account Inquiries

Application

Merchant Violations/How to be a MasterCard Merchant

ATM

Promotions & Advertising

Fraud/ID Theft

Lost/Stolen/Emergency Services

Paying Bills or Taxes with MasterCard

Privacy

Account Balance/Transfers

Q: Where can I get my account balance?
A: MasterCard does not issue cards directly and does not have access to your account information. Please contact the financial institution/bank that issued your MasterCard branded payment card regarding your inquiry.

Many financial institutions allow you to check your statement online or call a toll free number to obtain your account balance. Contact information can usually be found on the back of your MasterCard card and/or on a billing statement. For more information view our Account Information Web page.
Q: How can I transfer my account balance on my existing card to a MasterCard card?
A: MasterCard does not issue cards directly and does not have access to your account information. Please contact the financial institution/bank that issued your MasterCard branded payment card regarding your inquiry.

Many financial institutions/banks that issue MasterCard cards offer this feature. You may be able to find a MasterCard card that offers balance transfer in the Find a Card section of our Web site or you can contact your financial institution directly. Contact information can usually be found on the back of your MasterCard card and/or on a billing statement.
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Monthly Statement

Q: Who do I contact if I have a question about my statement or want to change my billing address?
A: MasterCard does not issue cards directly and does not have access to your account information. Please contact the financial institution/bank that issued your MasterCard branded payment card regarding your inquiry.

Contact information can usually be found on the back of your MasterCard card and/or on a billing statement. For more information view our Account Information Web page.
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Credit Limit/Increases

Q: How can I increase my credit limit?
A: MasterCard does not issue cards directly and does not have access to your account information. Please contact the financial institution/bank that issued your MasterCard branded credit card regarding your inquiry.

You should contact your financial institution directly to discuss a credit limit increase. Contact information can usually be found on the back of your MasterCard card or on your billing statement.
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Debit Card

Q: What is a Debit MasterCard?
A: A Debit MasterCard card deducts payment directly from a deposit/checking account that you open through a financial institution/bank. Contact your financial institution or view our Debit Card Web pages for more information.

This information is limited to the United States only; if you are a resident of another country please refer to your Local MasterCard Web site.
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Online Banking/Online Bill Payments

Q: How can I do my banking online? (e.g., check account balance, pay bills, transfer funds between accounts)
A: MasterCard does not issue cards directly and does not have access to your account information. Please contact the financial institution/bank that issued your MasterCard branded payment card regarding your inquiry.

Some financial institutions/banks that issue MasterCard cards have Internet capabilities; others do not. To find out about your financial institution's Internet capabilities, or another financial institution's specific Internet capabilities, contact them directly. Contact information can be found on the back of your MasterCard card and/or on your billing statement.

For more information view our Account Information Web page.
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Dispute a Charge

Q: What does MasterCard do in the event that there is a charge on my account that I did not authorize?
A: MasterCard cardholders have the benefit of not being liable in the event of the unauthorized use of your U.S.-issued MasterCard card. As a MasterCard cardholder, coverage extends to purchases made in a store, over the telephone, or on the Web.
If you suspect unauthorized activity on your account, stop using your card and contact the financial institution that issued your card as soon as possible.

For more information view our Zero Liability Coverage Web page.
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How to Apply

Q: How do I apply for a card?
A: MasterCard does not issue cards directly and does not have access to your account information; however, to better serve you we do feature many cards offered by participating financial institutions/banks in the Find a Card section of our Web site.
  • First you select a card type and then answer a short list of questions to narrow down the card search results.
  • When you find a card that suits your needs, click on the "Apply Now" or "Request a Card" button.
  • This will link you to the financial institution's Web site. Each financial institution will have different card application instructions on their site for you to follow to complete the application process.
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Status of my Application

Q: I applied for a card and have not heard back.
A: MasterCard does not issue cards directly and does not have access to your account information. Please contact the financial institution/bank that you applied for a card with directly.

You may find their contact information on their Web site or at a bank branch location.
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Merchant Violations

Q: Where do I go to report a problem I have experienced with a merchant/retailer who displays a MasterCard decal in their store or on their Web site?
A: Please complete and submit the Merchant Violation form to report a merchant/retailer that did not accept your MasterCard card.
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Fraud Protection

Q: As a merchant, how do I protect my company from potential fraud?
A: MasterCard offers a comprehensive suite of training materials, both print and video, to help protect against merchant fraud. Visit our Merchant Security Information Web pages to get started and learn steps you can take to fight fraud.
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How to become a MasterCard Merchant

Q: How do I become a merchant who accepts MasterCard?
A: It’s easy to set up a merchant account and there’s never been a better time to begin accepting MasterCard cards. Visit our Merchant Services Web pages to get started.
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Locate an ATM

Q: Where can I get a list of ATM locations?
A: With more than one million ATMs in over 210 countries and territories, you're never far from a MasterCard®, Debit MasterCard, Maestro® or Cirrus® ATM. The MasterCard ATM network gives you immediate access to cash wherever you go. You can use our ATM Locations search tool to find one near you, or, within the U.S. and Canada, call 1-800-4Cirrus (1-800-424-7787). Outside the U.S. and Canada, contact your financial institution/bank that issued your card.
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Promotions & Savings

Q: Where can I find out more about current MasterCard Promotions?
A: You can learn more about our promotions, savings and discounts, and more by viewing our Special Offers Web pages.

For savings and discounts that you can only get for being a Gold, Platinum, or World MasterCard cardholder view our Premium Collection Offers Web pages.

Please contact us if you have questions regarding our promotions.
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TV Commercials

Q: Where can I view MasterCard TV commercials?
A: View our Commercials Web page to view commercials from our award-winning Priceless® advertising campaign.

NOTE: We cannot accommodate requests for copies of commercials. No exceptions will be made.
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Fraud/ID Theft

Q: What is fraud and how do I recognize it?
A: Consumer fraud happens when someone steals your money, personal information, and identity through unsolicited and suspicious activity. To learn more about the most common types of fraud including e-mail phishing, phone solicitations such as travel and prize offers, and mail fraud, view the Security & Credit Basics section of our site.
Q: What should I do if I think I am a victim of identity theft?
A: If you’re a victim of identity theft take action immediately. It is critical to organize your case carefully and keep record of your conversations and correspondence. Every situation is different, but you can follow four basic steps to initiate the process and take additional steps to protect yourself.
Q: How do I protect myself from identity theft?
A: Identity theft is a serious crime, but you can protect yourself by understanding what it is and how it occurs.
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Lost/Stolen/Emergency Services

Q: How do I get emergency assistance while traveling?
A: Emergency assistance cannot be provided over the internet. In order to receive emergency assistance, it is imperative that you contact your financial institution/bank or call all the MasterCard Assistance Center with any card-related need from anywhere in the world. Within the United States call 1-800-MC-ASSIST (1-800-622-7747). For phone numbers outside the U.S., search our global Emergency Contacts directory.
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Automatic & One Time Bill Payment

Q: What is Automatic or One Time Bill Payment?
A: To find answers to all of your Bill Payment questions please view our Bill Payment FAQs Web page.
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Paying taxes with MasterCard

Q: How do I pay my taxes with my MasterCard card?
A: To find answers to all of your questions about paying taxes with MasterCard please view our Tax Payments FAQs Web page.
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Privacy

Q: Does MasterCard record information about me when I visit this web site?
A: View our U.S. General Privacy Policy to learn what information we collect about visitors to our Web site.
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If you are unable to find an answer to your question please contact us directly.