Reservists to receive high-tech travel cards

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Timm Huffman
  • HQ RIO Public Affairs
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  In January, the Department of Defense began an upgrade to all Citi Bank Government Travel Charge Cards.

The new travel cards will include chip and personal identification number technology; a more secure means of processing credit card transactions. 

To receive the new cards, Reservists should log-in to their Citi Bank account and ensure their mailing address is up-to-date. They should also update their contact information in the Defense Travel System. Once the new card arrives, members must sign the block on the back and call to activate and confirm receipt.

Members will also need to update their DTS accounts with their new card information.

The new cards will include both the current magnetic stripe technology, as well as the new chip technology; a microprocessor that requires cardholder authentication via a 4-digit PIN input at point-of-sale. According to the Citi Bank website, the new cards will ensure enhanced security and global acceptance. The Chip technology has been in use globally for at least a decade and is proven to reduce counterfeit fraud by turning the card member's information into a unique, hard-to-duplicate code.

Members with cards that expire between February and December will have new cards issued approximately 30 days before their current card expires. Accounts with cards that expire after 2015 will have a new card issued between July and October.

Those with ongoing Fraud Alert Status or whose accounts have been inactive for over 18 months will not receive the new cards.

"The new chip-and-PIN technology is an important step in protecting our personal finances and privacy," said Ms. Selby Redman, Director of Operations for Headquarters Individual Reservist Readiness and Integration Organization. "As such, every Reservist should take the necessary steps to ensure they receive their card and properly activate it."

The new GTCCs are being issued as a result of President Barack Obama's Oct. 17, 2014, Executive Order-Improving the Security of Consumer Financial Transactions.