Tired of stacks of paper statements piling up? Want to do your part for the environment and enjoy the convenience of digital access to your financial information? Going paperless with Truist is a fantastic way to achieve all of that and more! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring a smooth transition to a more organized, secure, and eco-friendly banking experience.
Your Journey to a Paperless Truist Experience: Let's Get Started!
Ready to reclaim your mailbox and streamline your financial life? Excellent! The first step on this journey is to understand why going paperless is so beneficial. Imagine:
- No more misplaced statements! Everything is securely stored online.
- Instant access, anywhere, anytime! Check your statements from your phone, tablet, or computer.
- Enhanced security! Reduce the risk of mail fraud and identity theft.
- A greener footprint! Contribute to a more sustainable planet by reducing paper consumption.
Feeling motivated? Let's dive into the practical steps!
Step 1: Establish Your Truist Online Banking Foundation
To truly go paperless, your first and most crucial step is to ensure you have a robust online banking setup with Truist. This is your digital hub for managing all your accounts and accessing electronic documents.
Sub-heading 1.1: Enrolling in Truist Online Banking (If You Haven't Already)
If you're new to Truist or haven't yet signed up for online banking, this is where you begin.
- Visit the Truist Website or Download the Mobile App: Head to the official Truist website (truist.com) or search for "Truist Mobile" in your device's app store (Google Play Store for Android, Apple App Store for iOS).
- Locate the "Sign In" or "Enroll" Option: On the Truist homepage or within the app, look for a prominent button or link that says "Sign In," "Enroll," or "Register."
- Choose "Personal Account" or "Business Account": Select the appropriate option based on your account type.
- Provide Necessary Information: You'll typically need to provide details like your:
- Debit or ATM card number
- Account number
- Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax ID (for business accounts)
- Date of Birth
- Email address
- Phone number
- You may also be asked to create a new User ID and Password. Choose strong, unique credentials!
- Verify Your Identity: Truist will likely use a multi-factor authentication process, sending a one-time passcode to your registered phone number or email address to confirm your identity. Enter this code when prompted.
- Review and Accept Agreements: You'll be presented with online banking agreements and terms and conditions. Read them carefully and accept to proceed.
- Complete Onboarding: Once enrolled, you may have some additional onboarding steps or tutorials to explore the features of online banking.
Sub-heading 1.2: Getting Familiar with the Truist Digital Banking Interface
Once you're logged in, take some time to explore the Truist online banking platform or mobile app. This will help you understand where various features, including your statements, are located.
- Dashboard: This is usually your home screen, providing an overview of your accounts.
- Accounts Tab/Section: This is where you'll find a list of all your linked Truist accounts (checking, savings, credit cards, loans, mortgages, etc.).
- Statements/Documents Section: Look for a tab or menu option specifically labeled "Statements," "Documents," or "Paperless Settings." This is where your electronic statements will reside.
Step 2: Opting for Paperless Statements (eStatements)
This is the core step to stop receiving physical mail. Truist makes it easy to switch to eStatements for your various accounts.
Sub-heading 2.1: Enrolling in eStatements for Checking and Savings Accounts
- Log In to Truist Online Banking or the Mobile App: Use your newly created (or existing) User ID and Password.
- Navigate to the "Statements" or "Documents" Section: As mentioned in Step 1.2, find the area dedicated to your statements.
- Select the Account: You'll likely see a list of your eligible accounts. Click or tap on the specific checking or savings account for which you want to go paperless.
- Choose "Paperless Delivery" or "eStatements": Within the account's statement preferences, you should find an option to switch to paperless delivery or enroll in eStatements. This might be a toggle switch, a checkbox, or a button.
- Confirm Your Preference: You'll typically be asked to confirm your choice. There might be a pop-up or a confirmation page. Read any disclosures carefully, as they may outline what to expect (e.g., you'll receive an email notification when a new statement is ready).
- Repeat for All Applicable Accounts: If you have multiple checking or savings accounts, repeat this process for each one you wish to make paperless.
Sub-heading 2.2: Going Paperless for Credit Card Statements
The process for credit cards is generally similar to checking and savings accounts.
- Log In and Navigate: Log in to Truist Online Banking or the mobile app and go to the "Accounts" or "Credit Cards" section.
- Select Your Credit Card Account: Choose the specific credit card for which you want to receive eStatements.
- Find Statement Delivery Options: Look for a link or option related to "Statement Delivery," "Paperless Statements," or "eStatements" within your credit card account details.
- Enroll in Paperless: Follow the prompts to opt-in for electronic statements. Confirm your decision.
Sub-heading 2.3: Managing Paperless Delivery for Loans and Mortgages
Truist also offers paperless options for various loans, including mortgages.
- Access Your Loan/Mortgage Account: Log in to online banking and navigate to your loan or mortgage account details.
- Look for Document Delivery Preferences: Search for settings related to "Document Delivery," "Statements," or "Communications."
- Select Electronic Delivery: Choose the option for electronic delivery of statements, annual tax forms (like 1098s for mortgages), and other important documents.
- Important Note for Mortgages: Truist's mortgage statements are also available online, and you can opt in to paperless statements once you are signed in to your account under the "Documents" tab. This is particularly helpful for keeping track of your principal balance, interest paid, and other crucial mortgage details.
Step 3: Setting Up Digital Bill Pay (Optional, but Highly Recommended)
While not strictly "paperless statements," embracing digital bill pay with Truist complements your paperless journey by eliminating paper checks and physical mail for payments.
- Log In to Truist Online Banking: Access your account.
- Navigate to "Bill Pay" or "Payments & Transfers": Look for a dedicated section for bill payments.
- Add Payees: Enter the details of the companies or individuals you pay regularly (e.g., utility companies, credit card issuers, internet providers). You'll typically need their name, address, and account number.
- Set Up Electronic Bills (eBills): For many popular billers, Truist's Bill Pay service allows you to receive eBills directly within the platform. This means the bill itself becomes paperless! Look for an option to "Get eBills" or "Link Account" for your added payees.
- Schedule Payments: Set up one-time payments or recurring payments. You can choose the date and frequency.
- Consider AutoPay: For fixed expenses, consider setting up AutoPay for complete hands-free payment management. Just be sure to review your eStatements regularly to confirm payments and monitor activity.
Step 4: Activating Digital Alerts and Notifications
Digital alerts are your safety net in a paperless world. They keep you informed of account activity without needing physical mail.
- Log In to Truist Online Banking or the Mobile App.
- Go to "Alerts" or "Notifications" Settings: This is often found under your "Profile," "Settings," or "Account Services" section.
- Customize Your Alerts: Truist offers a wide range of customizable alerts. Consider setting up notifications for:
- New eStatement availability
- Low balance warnings
- Large transactions (debits or credits)
- Account activity (e.g., withdrawals, deposits)
- Password or email changes (for security)
- Payment reminders (if using bill pay)
- Choose Delivery Method: Select how you want to receive these alerts – typically via email, SMS text message, or push notifications through the mobile app.
- Test Your Alerts: Once set up, it's a good idea to test a few non-critical alerts to ensure they are being delivered correctly.
Step 5: Managing Your Digital Documents and Records
Going paperless isn't just about stopping physical mail; it's also about effectively managing your digital records.
Sub-heading 5.1: Accessing and Downloading eStatements
- Log In: Access your Truist online banking account.
- Navigate to Statements: Go to the "Statements" or "Documents" section.
- Select the Account and Statement Period: Choose the account and the specific month or year you wish to view.
- View or Download: Your eStatements will typically be available in PDF format. You can view them directly in your browser or download them to your computer or cloud storage.
- Tip: Create organized folders on your computer or cloud drive (e.g., "Truist Statements" with subfolders for each year) to save your downloaded PDFs for easy retrieval.
Sub-heading 5.2: Understanding Statement Retention
Truist typically provides access to several years of past eStatements within online banking. While this is convenient, it's a good practice to download important statements periodically for your own long-term records, especially for tax purposes or large purchases. Check Truist's specific retention policy within your online banking agreement or by contacting customer service.
Sub-heading 5.3: Maintaining Digital Security
Even though digital is more secure than mail, maintaining good digital hygiene is crucial.
- Use strong, unique passwords.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible.
- Be wary of phishing scams: Truist will never ask for your personal or account information (like passwords or SSNs) via email or unsolicited calls. Always go directly to the Truist website or app.
- Keep your operating system and antivirus software updated.
- Avoid accessing your banking information on public Wi-Fi networks.
Step 6: Reviewing and Confirming Your Paperless Status
Periodically, it's a good idea to confirm that your paperless settings are still active and that you are no longer receiving physical statements.
- Check Your Mailbox: After a statement cycle, simply observe if you receive any paper statements. If you do, revisit Step 2.
- Review Online Settings: Log in to Truist Online Banking and re-check the "Paperless" or "eStatements" settings for each of your accounts to ensure they are still set to electronic delivery.
- Contact Truist Support: If you're encountering any issues or are unsure about your paperless status, don't hesitate to contact Truist customer service directly. They can verify your settings and assist with any problems.
By following these steps, you'll successfully transition to a paperless banking experience with Truist, enjoying the benefits of convenience, security, and environmental responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Going Paperless with Truist
Here are 10 common questions with quick answers to help you on your paperless journey:
How to check if I'm already enrolled in paperless statements with Truist? Log in to Truist Online Banking, navigate to the "Statements" or "Documents" section, and review the delivery preferences for each of your accounts.
How to stop receiving paper statements for my Truist checking account? Log in to Truist Online Banking, go to the "Statements" section, select your checking account, and choose the option for "Paperless Delivery" or "eStatements."
How to view my Truist eStatements online? After logging into Truist Online Banking, go to the "Statements" or "Documents" section. You'll find a list of your available eStatements, typically in PDF format, which you can view or download.
How to get old Truist statements if I've gone paperless? You can typically access several years of past eStatements directly within your Truist Online Banking account in the "Statements" section. For older statements not available online, you may need to contact Truist customer service.
How to set up email notifications for new Truist eStatements? Within Truist Online Banking, go to your "Alerts" or "Notifications" settings. You can usually set up an alert to receive an email when a new eStatement is available.
How to ensure my digital Truist statements are secure? Use strong, unique passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, be wary of phishing attempts, and keep your devices and software updated. Truist employs robust security measures for its online platform.
How to pay my Truist credit card bill without a paper statement? You can pay your Truist credit card bill directly through Truist Online Banking or the mobile app using their Bill Pay feature, or by setting up AutoPay.
How to get a physical copy of a Truist statement if I need one after going paperless? You can download and print any of your eStatements from Truist Online Banking whenever you need a physical copy.
How to go paperless for my Truist mortgage statements? Log in to Truist Online Banking, navigate to your mortgage account, and look for options related to "Document Delivery" or "Statements" to select electronic delivery.
How to contact Truist customer service for paperless inquiries? You can usually find their contact information (phone numbers, secure messaging options) within the "Contact Us" or "Help" section of the Truist website or mobile app.
