Top 4 mistakes to avoid with debit cards
Debit cards make our daily lives much more convenient. Whether we wish to withdraw money or buy our favorite products from the store, these cards make everything possible. Unlike credit cards, we also do not have to bear charges or pay high interest rates at the end of every month. But although debit cards have so many positives, we must use them wisely. There are a few common mistakes people must avoid.
Not keeping a record of all transactions
All debit card holders know how beneficial that piece of plastic is. It makes all shopping transactions easy by completing them with just one swipe. However, after someone swipes their card and checks their account statement, they may often realize their balance is still the same. Sometimes, a debit card transaction can take a few days to reflect in the balance. So, it is vital to keep an offline record of one’s transactions and update it regularly. If a person has a joint or shared checking account, they must also record their partner’s debit card usage and transactions. If they do not do so, they might accidentally use the card for a transaction without realizing that their account balance is low.
Using too many out-of-bank ATMs
When withdrawing cash from an ATM, people should use the machine present at their bank. The ATMs at banks are more secure and better protected compared to those at airports, malls, and other public places. These ATM kiosks are not secure, and scammers can rig them easily. If they are rigged, someone could access the machine to steal its users’ debit card info and money. Sure, finding a bank ATM can take time. But it can stop people from falling into the trap of scammers and losing their money.
Writing down the PIN
Some individuals struggle to remember their debit card PIN, so they write it down on a piece of paper. While this may be a convenient solution, it could be dangerous. If the paper falls into the wrong hands, the individual could lose all the money in their checking account. So, people should never write their PIN anywhere. Even if they do, they should not keep the debit card and the paper containing the PIN together. Many people store both of these in their wallets. This is a big mistake that should be avoided as much as possible.
Using debit cards for big online purchases
Debit cards do not attract interest like a credit card. But using a credit card is sometimes better, especially for expensive purchases. Credit card transactions are safe under the Fair Credit Billing Act. So, if a person accidentally makes a fraudulent transaction with it, the transaction would take the bank longer to process. It would also be considered disputed. In the case of a debit card, the transaction would immediately go through and remove money from a person’s checking account. It would take longer for a person to get their money back in this scenario and lead to unnecessary hassle.
