Tips for Staying Safe when Shopping with your Debit Card this Holiday Season

The holidays mean spending cherished moments with friends and loved ones. They also usually mean you’re gonna shop ‘til you drop in the weeks leading up to them. Considering all the sites and stores you’re bound to visit while shopping for that perfect present, it’s essential to protect your finances. We’ve put together a list of ways to keep your debit card secure throughout in-person and online shopping by following these simple tips.

Keep it in Sight

When you think about it, handing your debit card to another person is much like giving them your entire wallet. Carefully watch anyone who takes your card and avoid leaving it unattended.

Avoid Sharing Information

Your financial information should remain as confidential as possible. Don’t write your PIN down anywhere (especially on the card); avoid saying it out loud in public, even if you feel that no one else can hear you. The same goes for passwords and answers to security questions. These are highly sensitive pieces of information that can become a way to access your bank account if they fall into the wrong hands. If you must discuss any of these security topics, be sure you are in a private location.

Remain Up-to-Date Wherever You Go

Your debit card is the key to your finances. Stay on top of where your money goes by reviewing your bank statements for any suspicious or fraudulent activity.

Casey State Bank is proud to offer a mobile banking app and online banking that provides an extra layer of online security for your debit card. Using our app or online banking, you can review transaction limits and ATM withdrawals – so you know exactly how much money is going in and out of your account. You can set up alerts for completed transactions over a specified dollar amount or from designated vendors. This way, you can monitor your money in real time.

Perhaps most importantly, you can turn your debit card “off” at any time from our mobile app or online banking when you’re not using it. If you lose your card or know that you won’t use it for a while, this feature will automatically decline any attempted purchase anyone makes with it. While waiting for a new card or the right time to turn it back “on,” your money remains secure.

At Casey State Bank, we take pride in providing banking services that help keep our customers and our community safe. To learn more about how you can control your debit card transactions, visit our Debit Card page – or contact us today with any questions you may have. We’re always here to help with your banking needs!