Debit cards are a way to pay for things quickly and easily. When you use your debit card, the funds you spend are immediately transferred from your checking account.
This way, you can easily buy things at your favorite store, withdraw money from your bank, or use your debit card to pay for things online. It is significant to keep your debit card safe and secure.
If your debit card is lost or stolen, it may be difficult to use it to make transactions. Additionally, if your debit card is compromised, your bank account may be at risk. So it is important to make sure your debit card is safe and to protect it from theft or other mishaps.
Benefits of Using a Debit Card
A debit card is a great way to keep your costs low and manage your money. It doesn’t have an annual fee, and it doesn’t have a limit on how much you can spend as some credit cards do.
However, there are some other benefits to using a credit card, such as being able to borrow more money and having more control over your spending.
Overall, it’s a good idea to use a debit card when making an online purchase, but be sure to keep your account information safe and use a secure website.
There are pros and cons to using a debit card online, but the biggest advantage is that you won’t have to pay interest on your debt. The downside is that if your debit card is stolen, your funds may be taken without your knowledge.
Additionally, if you don’t have sufficient money in your account to cover the acquisition, your debit card may be declined, potentially resulting in a financial penalty.
Debit cards allow you to quickly and easily take money out of your checking account, which makes online shopping a safe option, but there is the potential for your information to be stolen if your debit card is used.
If your debit card has been lost or stolen, there are protections in place to prevent fraudulent use. However, you should notify your banking institution if you are using the card online or in person.
There are several rules you should follow to protect yourself while using your debit card, and by following them you can ensure that your transactions are safe.
Some debit cards come with additional protection from the card issuer, so you’re more protected than federal law requires. These services are frequently called “zero liability” protection or a similar name.
13 Tips For Safely Using a Debit Card For Online Payments
1. Keep your PIN to yourself
PIN stands for a four-digit security code used to withdraw money from ATMs & to confirm debit card dealings at a store. It’s important to remember your PIN in its place of carrying it in your case or writing it on your debit card since it can help protect your personal information.
To keep your PIN secure, make sure to keep it in a safe place, like a filing cabinet with a lock. Don’t share it with anyone. Sometimes your PIN will be allocated to your card when you receive it.
If you have to choose a PIN, try to come up with a unique number that is difficult to guess. For example, don’t use a combination of numbers that are easy to remember like your house number or your birthday.
2. Watch out for security Threats on your PC
A number of malware programs are intended to control the safety vulnerabilities in your operating system & web browser so that they can steal your fiscal data. To help protect you, System Mechanic can scan for and fix these vulnerabilities.
Always keep your computer up-to-date and make sure your web browser and operating system are protected against security vulnerabilities.
3. Make sure you are using a secure connection
When you are using a secure connection, like HTTPS, the URL starts with HTTPS://. But for all other connections, it starts with HTTP://. So make sure you are using HTTPS when you are browsing the internet.
4. Change Your Debit Card PIN Frequently
If you haven’t changed your debit card pin in a while, here’s a reminder to do so. Why? Changing your pin frequently makes it more difficult for fraudsters to determine your PIN, making you less likely to be a victim of debit card information theft.
An excellent rule of thumb is to change your PIN every three to six months. To make sure your account is safe, we recommend setting a password that is not easily accessible on your social media profiles.
This will help defend your personal information from being stolen, and will also allow you to access your account easily if needed.
5. Deal with reputed websites only
Whenever you make a payment, be sure to use a payment processor with advanced security features, such as PayTabs which will guard against your personal information from being stolen. PayTabs is the safest way to keep your financial information private and secure.
Their advanced security features will make sure that your information is not leaked, no matter what website you’re visiting.
6. Try to Use credit cards for online shopping
There is a warning for all online shoppers: Make sure you use a credit card when shopping online, not a debit card. Debit cards are linked to your bank account, which makes them extremely risky.
Credit cards are less likely to be abused than debit cards, since it is relatively easy to dispute fraudulent charges on a credit card, compared to recovering money taken out from a debit card.
These days, people are using once-use credit cards for online shopping. These cards are specifically designed for online shopping.
7. Sign Up for Two-Factor Authentication
To make an online transaction, you need to provide your debit card number, card verification number (CVC), and expiration date. This is one way to make sure you’re really doing the transaction with that card.
To make your banking experience more secure, you can sign up for a two-step authentication process. With this feature, you’ll receive an One Time Password (OTP) to help you verify your identity whenever you make transactions.
8. Avoid using public computers
To keep your transactions safe, make sure to use your own computer or mobile device. Don’t use the computers at public libraries or internet cafes – these can easily be tampered with.
9. Use an advanced anti-malware program
The anti-virus software will protect against both classified and unclassified attacks on your computer. Make sure your anti-virus software is up-to-date or has its auto-update feature enabled.
Make sure your antivirus program is always up-to-date so that it can catch new malware before it becomes a problem.
10. Destroy the CVV number on the back of the card
If you frequently use your ATM card, it’s a good idea to scratch the CVV number off the back of the card. Almost everyone will remember the 3-digit CVV number after using it a few times.
You can also write down the CVV number in your mailbox, so you’ll have it handy if you need it. By doing this, you’ll reduce your chances of being scammed.
11. Set a strong and complex password
Don’t use easy-to-guess passwords or ones that are easy to figure out. Instead, use a mix of letters and special characters, and make sure your password is at least six digits long.
12. Limit online shopping to trusted merchants
When you search the web for a specific item, you will see results for purchasing that item. However, it is best to stick with merchants that you already know and trust.
Especially if the price seems too good to be true – it could be a phishing scam designed to lure you in with an offer and then steal your payment information. Other online shopping tips to follow are:
- To be sure that you’re visiting a trusted website, look for the security lock symbol.
- If you can, apply for a credit card when shopping online in place of your debit card.
- Only make purchases when connected to a secure WiFi network, and be especially careful shopping online. Public WiFi is a risky way to make transactions.
13. Sign Up for Mobile Alerts
The first step to preventing debit card fraud is noticing any unusual transactions. You can do this by looking at your monthly account statement, which will show you all of your monthly expenses. The only problem is that it’s too late to report this activity to your bank once it’s happened.
Sign up for mobile alerts so you can be notified whenever there is an account activity, such as a transfer of money. This will help you identify any unusual activity right away and report it to your bank. This will help you block the card, preventing any further loss of funds from your account.
Final words
If you’re using a debit card frequently, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and take some preventative measures. Debit cards can be drained if someone has access to your bank account, so being aware of your account and taking steps to protect it can be helpful.
