Reloading Your Card

There are two types of SmartCity Card Reload Centres available for your convenience - a Debit/Credit Card Reload Centre or a Cash to Card Reload Centre.

Debit Credit Reload Centres

Debit/Credit Reload Centres accept Debit, Visa or MasterCard for payment and transfer up to a maximum of $50 to your SmartCity card. You simply insert your smart card into the device, select $10, $20 or the "fill" option and swipe your debit or credit card. Once the transaction is approved, the value is loaded to your SmartCity® smart card. Users have the choice of English or French language prompts.

These Interac-certified Card Reload Centres are typically found in a common area of your building. They work exactly like the electronic point of sale devices found in most retail stores. The housing is a combination of metal and plastic ensuring the safety and security of the device. The housing is also complete with a shield to help ensure safe and secure PIN entry.

Cash to Card Reload Centres

Cash to Card Reload Centres accept $10 or $20 Canadian bills and transfer that value to your SmartCity card.

Typically these are installed outside of your building in a nearby retail outlet making your building totally cash free. With no cash in the building, there is no reason for burglars or vandals to visit. To find the Cash to Card Reload Centre located nearest you, please refer to our Card Reload Centre Locator.

Safety & Security of the Debit/Credit Card Reload Centre

The Debit/Credit Card Reload Device is only a conduit to send information to the bank to process transactions. Absolutely no bank or credit card data is stored in the device. If ever stolen, there is nothing in the device for thieves to use.

As soon as the device is removed it is automatically deactivated and non-functional and cannot be reconnected to the payment network.

Thieves that steal credit card information and use the information for illegal personal gain, do so with skimmers and other devices which they have physically attached to working point-of-sale units connected to a phone line and activated with the bank. The credit card numbers are captured by the skimmer when the card is swiped; or the debit card number is captured by the skimmer when the card is swiped and your PIN entry is recorded by a hidden camera.

When using any point-of-sale device you must be cautious and you should always follow these rules:

• Regardless of where you are using your card, always insist on swiping the card yourself.
• Ensure that you protect your PIN entry by covering your entry with your free hand.
• Don't use the device if:
1. the keypad looks different or appears to have been tampered with
2. there is anything unusual inserted into the card swipe slot
3. there are unexplained wires near the card swipe or device
4. there are unexplained holes in the ceiling or in the walls surrounding the debit/credit device. Check to see if anything on the ceiling or walls look unusual or different than it should.