How to Keep Your Debit Card Transactions Safe

Many banks have improved their debit card protections for their customers and will go beyond the above rules and not make consumers responsible for any charges deemed to be fraudulent, especially if they report the unauthorized transactions as soon as possible.

:Check Your Bank Statements 

Since time is of the essence to receive full fraud protection from your bank, make it a habit to review your bank account online at least once a week, or even daily.

Protect Your PIN Number

Don’t give your personal identification number (PIN) to anyone who asks, and don’t keep it written down anywhere in your purse or wallet. Don’t use your PIN at the gas pump: Use your card in the credit purchase function to avoid someone seeing it. In fact, using your debit card in credit card mode may offer you extra liability protection depending on your bank.

Consider Avoiding Debit Card Use Online

Some consumers choose to use only credit cards online since a fraudulent credit card transaction takes more time for your bank to process and can become an item of dispute rather than an instant removal of cash from your checking account. The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco recommends checking for a security symbol such as an unbroken key or a padlock on each website before you order anything because these symbols mean your information will be encrypted and therefore safer. Also, make sure the website address begins with https://. Do not make a financial transaction on a site that doesn’t have the “s” following http, an indication of a higher level of security.

Only Use ATMs at a Bank

ATMs located in convenience stores, subway stations, airports and other places have a greater risk of having a “skimming” device attached by a thief, which could intercept and store your debit card data. This sometimes happens at banks, too, but it is easier to do in a place without surveillance cameras. For more, see Banking: Debit Cards and ATMs and 5 ATM Scams That Can Break the Bank.

Don’t Use Public Wireless Access for Financial Transactions

Make sure you are using a password-protected wireless signal to check your bank account balance, pay bills and shop so that hackers have less chance to capture your password and account information.

Report Problems Immediately

While you would certainly report it right away if your wallet was stolen and your credit and debit cards were missing, you should also report any unauthorized transactions immediately. The faster you report a problem, the more quickly you can cancel your debit card and prevent additional charges.

Consider Filing a Police Report

If your debit card is stolen, you may want to contact the police and keep a copy of the police report so that you have extra support when you want your bank to reimburse the charges. 

Create Your Own Security Profile

As long as you remember the answers, you can make up anything you want for your security questions. Using a pet’s name or your mother’s maiden name makes it too easy for cons to get into your account. The answers just have to be consistent; they don't have to be true. 

The Bottom Line

While you may find constantly using a debit card to be a great convenience, it won’t be so convenient if someone manages to drain your checking account. A little bit of vigilance and some new habits can go a long way to preventing a damaging debit card experience.