FAQs and Forms

Q: What’s the difference between my Membership number and my account numbers?

Your account numbers are a combination of your Membership number and the account-type number. A suffix is added to the end of your Membership number to indicate if it is your savings account or your checking account.

Q: How do I find my account number?

One way to find your account number is to look at the series of numbers on the bottom of your check.

Still having trouble finding your account number? Give us a call at 866.287.6225.

Q: What is your Routing & Transit Number?

The routing number for CU SoCal is 322283796. This number may be used for a variety of services, including direct deposit, wire transfers, tax purposes, and paying utilities.

Here are some other important details that may help you when you're asked to provide our routing number. 

• Name: Credit Union of Southern California
• Address: P.O. Box 76000 Anaheim, CA 92809
• Phone Number: 866.287.6225
• Account Name: (ex. Checking Account)

Q: What is my MICR number?

Your MICR number is the combination of the routing number, account number, and check number listed at the bottom of your check.

Q: How do I set up Direct Deposit?

Simply fill out our Authorization for Automatic Deposit form and provide it to your payroll department.

Q: How do I re-PIN my debit card?

To receive a new PIN, you may call our support team at 866.CU.SoCal (866.287.6225). For security purposes, we do not have access to see any Members' PINs.

Q: Do I need to notify you if I will be traveling out of town?

Yes, when possible, we appreciate advanced notice of at least 48-hours to ensure there will be no disruption when accessing your funds while out of town.

Q: How do I close my account?

We’re sad to see you go. You may close your account in-person at a CU SoCal branch, or you may request to close your account by completing the Request To Close Account form and mailing it to P.O. Box 76000 Anaheim, CA 92809, emailing Support@CUSoCal.org, or faxing it to us at 714.990.5492. A copy of your ID will be requested at the time of account closure.

Q. How do I request an address change on my account?

You can update your address in Online Banking or you can complete our Change of Address form and drop it off at your nearest CU SoCal branch, mail it to P.O. Box 76000 Anaheim, CA 92809, or fax it to us at 714.990.5492.

Q. Can I add a password to my account to verify my identity when I call in instead of answering security questions?

Absolutely! Simply complete our Password Request form and drop it off at your nearest CU SoCal branch, mail it to P.O. Box 76000 Anaheim, CA 92809, or fax it to us at 714.990.5492.

Q. How do I remove a joint owner from an account?

You can remove a joint owner from your account by completing our Consent To Remove A Joint Owner form and dropping it off at your nearest CU SoCal branch, mailing it to P.O. Box 76000 Anaheim, CA 92809, or faxing it to us at 714.990.5492.

Q. How do I add or change my account beneficiary?

You can add or change your account beneficiary by completing our Designation of Beneficiary form and dropping it off at your nearest CU SoCal branch, mailing it to P.O. Box 76000 Anaheim, CA 92809, or faxing it to us at 714.990.5492.

Q. How do I opt in for CU SoCal Courtesy Pay for ATM and everyday debit card transactions?

To sign up for CU SoCal Courtesy Pay, please complete our Courtesy Pay Authorization form and drop it off at your nearest CU SoCal branch, mail it to P.O. Box 76000 Anaheim, CA 92809, or fax it to us at 714.990.5492.

Q: Can anyone open an account at CU SoCal?

Anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside, or San Bernardino County is eligible to open an account. For those who do not meet that geographical criteria, there are two other ways to qualify:

Through a family member: If an eligible family member currently has an account, you can open one too. An eligible family member is a spouse, child, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, cousin or legal guardian and includes step, in-law and adoptive relationships.

Through your employer: We have relationships with nearly 500 employers that provide access to CU SoCal regardless of your geography. If you work for one of these select companies, you are eligible to open an account.

Q: Do I need to provide any identification or documents to open an account?

Yes. To open an account, we’ll need a copy of a valid, government-issued ID. If your current address does not match the address listed on your ID, we will also need a copy of your most recent utility bill with your name and current address.

Q. Do you have a printable Membership Application?

We do! Here you go: Printable Membership Application.

Q. Do you offer accounts for minors?

We do! You may assign an adult as the custodian of the account while allowing the minor to be the primary account holder. To open a minor account, simply complete our Application to open a Minor Account—(UTMA) and visit a CU SoCal branch.

Q: What should I do if I suspect fraud on my account?

If you suspect you’ve been a victim of identity theft or other fraudulent activity, please contact CU SoCal as soon as possible, toll-free at 866 CU SoCal (866.287.6225), so that we may take steps to protect the integrity of your account information and funds.

In addition, please follow the steps outlined below:

1. Contact the fraud department at any one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit file.

• Equifax: 800.525.6285 or Equifax.com
• Experian: 800/EXPERIAN (397.3742) or Experian.com
• TransUnion: 800.680.7289 or TransUnion.com

2. Close the accounts that you know or believe have been compromised or opened fraudulently.

3. File a police report. Obtain a copy of the police report to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.

4. File your complaint with the FTC. The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps the government to learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so that they can better assist you. Visit the FTC website for more information.

Additional Fraud/Loss Prevention Contacts

Lost/Stolen Debit Card: 888.698.7241
Lost/Stolen Credit Card: 800.556.5678

If you have received a phishing e-mail that looks as if it has been sent by CU SoCal, please forward the email to support@CUSoCal.org.

Q. How do I report an unauthorized debit out of my account?

You can report an unauthorized debit out of your account by completing our Unauthorized Debit form and dropping it off at your nearest CU SoCal branch, mailing it to P.O. Box 76000 Anaheim, CA 92809, or faxing it to us at 714.990.5492.

Q. How do I report an unauthorized purchase made with my debit card?

To report an unauthorized purchase made with your debit card, please complete our ATM/Debit Card Fraud form and drop it off at your nearest CU SoCal branch, mail it to P.O. Box 76000 Anaheim, CA 92809, or fax it to us at 714.990.5492. In addition, if you debit card has been lost or stolen, please call: 888.698.7241.

Q. How do I report or a lost or stolen debit or credit card?

To report a lost or stolen card, please call the corresponding number below:

• Lost/Stolen CU SoCal Debit Card: 888.698.7241
• Lost/Stolen CU SoCal Credit Card: 800.556.5678

Q. How do I stop a payment?

To place a stop payment on a check or a range of checks, you may log into the CU SoCal Mobile Banking app or your CU SoCal Online Banking account. If your accounts are not set up with online services, you may complete our Check Stop Payment form and drop it off at your nearest CU SoCal branch, mail it to P.O. Box 76000 Anaheim, CA 92809, or fax it to us at 714.990.5492.

To stop recurring and one-time automatic payments and withdrawals (ACH), simply complete our Stop Payment Request form and drop it off at your nearest CU SoCal branch, mail it to P.O. Box 76000 Anaheim, CA 92809, or fax it to us at 714.990.5492.

Q. How do I report or dispute an error at an ATM?

To report a ATM transaction error please complete our Electronic Dispute/Error Notification form and drop it off at your nearest CU SoCal branch, mail it to P.O. Box 76000 Anaheim, CA 92809, or fax it to us at 714.990.5492.

Q: Can I make a loan payment from another financial institution?

Yes, CU SoCal allows Members to make payments from other financial institutions for CU SoCal Auto Loans, Personal Loans, and Credit Cards. To make your loan payment, visit CUSoCal.org/MakeALoanPayment and follow onscreen instructions, or call our Member Service center at 866.287.6225 to pay by check over the phone.

Q: How do I submit proof of insurance for my auto loan?

CU SoCal has partnered with Southwest Business Corporation (SWBC) to track and verify all CU SoCal auto loan insurance coverage. You may submit your proof of insurance by visiting imcovered.com/cusocal and following the on-screen instructions.

Q: What is an EMV chip?

The EMV chip is an embedded microchip in your Visa® card that provides the best security and protection against fraud. The chip is able to encrypt information, making it difficult for card information to be copied or counterfeited.

Q. Can I skip a payment on my loan?

CU SoCal allows Members to skip a payment for any non-Real Estate CU SoCal loan for a $25 fee as long as the following requirements are met:

• At least 18 payments have been made on the loan.
• A payment on the selected loan is not presently more than 10 days past due.
• A payment on the selected loan has never been more than 30 days past due.
• The selected loan has not had more than three occurrences of payments which were 11-30 days past due.
• A payment on the selected loan has not been skipped within the past year.
• The loan payment being skipped is $75.00 or greater.

Other requirements may apply.

To skip a loan payment, simply complete our Skip A Loan Payment form and drop it off at your nearest CU SoCal branch, mail it to P.O. Box 76000 Anaheim, CA 92809, or fax it to us at 714.990.5492.

Q. How do I take an advance on my existing student loan?

Former South Western Federal Credit Union (SWFCU) Members may take an advance on their existing student loan at cusocal.studentchoice.org.

Q. How can I apply for a limit increase on my current CU SoCal credit card​?

You can apply by submitting an application online, calling us at 866.287.6225. or visiting your nearest CU SoCal branch.

Q. How do I set up recurring automatic transfers to my account?

To set up recurring transfers, simply complete our Authorization for Automatic Transfer form and drop it off at your nearest CU SoCal branch, mail it to P.O. Box 76000 Anaheim, CA 92809, or fax it to us at 714.990.5492.

Q. How do I set up automatic transfers to another CU SoCal account?

To set up one-time or recurring automatic transfers to another CU SoCal account, simply complete our Authorization for Cross-Account Transfer form and drop it off at your nearest CU SoCal branch, mail it to P.O. Box 76000 Anaheim, CA 92809, or fax it to us at 714.990.5492.

Q. How do I set up transfers to another financial institution?

To set up one-time or recurring automatic transfers to another financial institution (or an external account), first login to Online Banking and navigate to the Add External account page by clicking “Transfers,” “External Account Transfers,” then “Add External Account.” Complete the required information for the other financial institution, confirm the information, and click "Save."  The new external account will appear in your list of External Accounts.

During the next two business days, you should receive two small deposits into your other financial institution’s account. Once the deposits have been made, please return back to this page. Click “Verify” next to the external account and enter the two deposited amounts and click “Save.” Once the correct amounts are entered, the account is verified and you will be able to start transferring money between your CU SoCal account and your external account.

Q. How can I view my Credit Union of Southern California Investment Services accounts online?

You may login to view your investment portfolio directly at www.myaccountviewonline.com. 

Q. How can I sign up for CU SoCal's Online Banking?

Visit our Digital Banking page to find out how to register for Online Banking.

Q. How does the service work?

Credit Union of Southern California (CU SoCal) continually monitors our Members' debit cards for fraudulent activity. Our fraud text alert service provides Members another level of security. If our fraud monitoring service detects a suspicious transaction on your account, we will alert you by SMS/text message of the transaction. You will reply "Yes" to confirm the transaction is valid or "No" to block the transaction if it is not authorized by you. If you respond "Yes," you may continue to use your card as usual. If you respond "No," the transaction will be blocked and a fraud prevention specialist will call you between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. to further review the suspicious activity.

Q. How do I enroll in text fraud alerts?

If you have provided CU SoCal with your mobile phone number and have an active CU SoCal Debit Card, you are automatically enrolled effective November 5, 2019. 

Q. Will I be charged for this service?

No. Our fraud text service is free. You may receive and reply to fraud text alerts without incurring any charges, including from your wireless carrier. 

Q. Will my wireless carrier charge me a fee for these text alerts?

No. Wireless carrier text fees do not apply with this service. 

Q. Is this service available with my wireless carrier? 

CU SoCal's fraud text alert is available with all carriers that provide text message (SMS) services. 

Q. How long does it take to receive a text message (SMS) about an unusual or suspicious transaction? 

Alerts will generally arrive within one minute from an activity detected; however, timing may vary. 

Q. How often will I receive text messages (SMS)?

Messaging frequency depends on account activity. Messages may be sent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Q. What if I don't respond to the text message?

If we don't receive a response after five minutes, a fraud specialist will attempt to call you to verify the unusual or suspicious transaction.

Q. What if I do not have text messaging? 

Text messaging is required for this service, however, if you do not have text messaging, you will receive fraud alerts by phone call.

Q. If I am traveling outside of the U.S., can I receive text message alerts? 

The ability to receive alerts outside of the U.S. will depend on your cell phone carrier. Please notify us if you will be traveling to set up a travel strategy. 

Q. Are the text commands case-sensitive? 

No. Commands can be sent as upper case, lower case, or a combination of both.

Q. Can I add multiple phone numbers to receive text messages?

Unfortunately, no. Just one mobile phone number may be linked to a single card number. 

Q. If my mobile phone number changes, what do I need to do? 

To receive alerts to your new number, please call us toll-free at 866 CU SoCal (866.287.6225), Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., to update your contact information. 

Q. Can I opt out of receiving fraud alert messages by text?

Yes. If you receive a fraud alert by text, please first confirm if the transaction was authorized. Then, simply respond "Stop" to the text message. Please keep in mind that fraud text alerts are a great way to receive notification in real time when there is a suspicious transaction on your card. This allows you to take immediate action to help protect your account.

Q. Can I receive debit card fraud alerts via email too?

Not at this time; however, we will soon offer Members an email option.

Q. Is this service safe and secure? 

Yes. CU SoCal will NEVER send you a message asking for your personal or account information. If you receive a message asking for this type of information, contact us immediately and do not respond to the message.

Q. What information will a fraud text alert have? 

Below is a summary of items included on a valid fraud text message as well as what will not be included.

Text will include:

• Credit union name
• Last four digits of your card number
• The amount in question
• The merchant's name
• Reply options: Yes, No, or Stop (to opt out)

Text will NOT include:

• Requests for information including card numbers, PINs, CV2 codes, expiration dates
• Vague reference of "merchant"
• Hyperlinks to unknown websites
• Phone numbers as hyperlinks

Q. What other steps should I take to protect my account?

1. Be sure your contact information is current and your mobile phone number is listed as such—not your home phone.
2. Immediately report a lost or stolen debit card by calling 888.698.7241. 

Important notice: Fraud alerts sent by SMS/text may be delivered to you if your phone is not in range of a transmission site, or if sufficient network capacity is not available at a particular time. Even within coverage, factors beyond the control of your wireless carrier may interfere with message delivery for which they and CU SoCal are not responsible. 

Q. How does this service work?

Credit Union of Southern California (CUSoCal) continually monitors our Members’ debit cards for fraudulent activity. Our fraud text alert service provides Members another level of security. If our fraud monitoring service detects a suspicious transaction on your account, we will alert you by SMS/text message of the transaction. You will reply “Yes” to confirm if the transaction is fraudulent or “No” if the transaction is not fraudulent. If you respond “No” you may continue to use your card as usual. If you respond “Yes” an immediate block will be placed on your card and you will be directed to call our Fraud Detection Department.

 
Q. How do I enroll in fraud text alerts?

If you have provided CU SoCal with your mobile number or email and have a CU SoCal Credit Card, you are automatically enrolled effective April 5, 2022.

 
Q. Will I be charged for this service?

No. Our fraud text service is free. You may receive and reply to fraud text alerts without incurring any charges, including from your wireless carrier.

 
Q. Will my wireless carrier charge me a fee for these text alerts?

No. Wireless carrier text fees do not apply to this service.

 
Q. Is this service available with my wireless carrier? 

CU SoCal's fraud text alert is available with all carriers that provide text message (SMS) services. 

 
Q. How long does it take to receive a text message (SMS) about an unusual or suspicious transaction? 

Alerts will generally arrive within one minute from an activity detected; however, timing may vary. 

 
Q. How often will I receive text messages (SMS)?

Messaging frequency depends on account activity. Messages may be sent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

 
 
Q. What if I don’t respond to the text Message?

When a SMS/text message is sent and a response is not received after 15 minutes, an email will be sent. If there is not an email address on file, a fraud specialist will attempt to call you to verify the unusual or suspicious activity.

 
Q. What if I do not have text messaging?
 

Text messaging is required for this service, however, if you do not have text messaging, you will receive fraud alerts by phone call.

 
Q. If I am traveling outside the U.S., can I receive text message alerts?
 

The ability to receive text alerts outside the U.S. will depend on your cell phone carrier. Please notify us if you will be traveling to set up a travel strategy.

 
 
Q. Are the text commands case sensitive?

No. Commands can be sent as upper case, lower case, or a combination of both.

 
Q. Can I add multiple phone numbers to receive text messages?

Unfortunately, no. Just one mobile number maybe linked to a single card number.

 
Q. If my mobile number changes, what do I need to do?

To receive alerts on your new number, please call us toll-free at 866 CU SoCal (866.287.6225), Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., and Saturday: 9 a.m. – 1p.m., to update your contact information.

 
Q. Can I opt-out of receiving fraud alert messages by text?

Yes. If you receive a fraud alert by text, please confirm if the transaction was authorized. Then, simply respond “Stop” to the text message. Please keep in mind that fraud text alerts are a great way to receive notification in real time when there is a suspicious transaction on your card. This allows you to take immediate action to help protect your account.

Q. Can I receive credit card fraud alerts by email too?

Yes. If there is not a mobile device listed on your account, an email message is sent instead.

 
Q. Is this service safe and secure?

Yes. CU SoCal will NEVER send you a message asking for your personal or account information. If you receive a message asking for this type of information, contact us immediately and do not respond to the message

 
Q. What information will a fraud text alert have?

Below is a summary of items included on a valid fraud text message as well as what will not be included.
Text will include:

• Credit union name
• Last four digits of your card number
• Date of transaction in question
• The amount in question
• The merchant's name
• Reply options: Yes, No, or Stop (to opt out)

Text will NOT include:

• Requests for information including card numbers, PINs, CV2 codes, expiration dates
• Vague reference of "merchant"
• Hyperlinks to unknown websites
• Phone numbers as hyperlinks

Q. What other steps can I take to protect my account?
 

Be sure your contact information is current, and your mobile phone number is listed as such—not your home phone.

Immediately report a lost or stolen debit card by calling 800.566.5678 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or 888.698.7241 Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., and Saturday: 9 a.m. – 1p.m.