6 Ways to keep your debit card information secure

Published September 30, 2024

Categories:  
• Security & Fraud Prevention
• Spending & Shopping

In today’s digital age, protecting your personal information, including your debit card details, is more important than ever. Debit card fraud is a growing concern, but with a few simple steps, you can significantly reduce your risk. Here are six ways you can keep your debit card information secure.

1. Choose strong PINs

Avoid obvious PINs like your birthdate, anniversary, or phone number. PINs like 1234 or 1111 are also risky as they are too simple. It’s like choosing the word “password” for your password. Create a PIN that’s unique and memorable and use a different one for each card you have. The last thing you would want is for your wallet to be in the wrong hands and for the thief to learn the PIN for all your cards.

2. Monitor your account regularly

Check your transactions and review your account activity daily or weekly. This can be easily done through online and mobile banking. The faster you spot someone else using your debit card, the faster you can shut it down. Through our Card Alert Notification Program, we’ll notify you if we detect suspicious activity on your account. If you notice a transaction that wasn’t made by you, it’s important that you report it immediately.

3. Protect your card physically

Keep your card in a safe place. Avoid carrying your card in your back pocket where it could be lost or openly where the card numbers can be read. When using your card at a store or at an ATM, always be sure to protect your PIN by covering it. Don’t write your PIN down or share it with anyone. Webster First will NEVER call you and ask for your debit card or PIN numbers. Be wary of imposter scams.

4. Use secure online shopping

When shopping online, look for the padlock icon next to your browser. This indicates that the website is secure. Secure websites will also be indicated by a url starting with “https” not just “http.”

In addition to checking for security, you’ll want to make sure the website you’re making a purchase from is legitimate. Scammers can create fake stores to collect your card information and money, but never ship you the product they’re offering. Check for online reviews of the store that are independent from the website itself, social media pages for the brand, and information on the Better Business Bureau. These things indicate a brand is legitimate and established.

5. Be wary of shopping or accessing bank accounts on public Wi-Fi

More than half of all internet users have logged into their personal email account on public Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi networks are open and unsecured, leaving you vulnerable to cyber threats like malware, identity theft, and data interception. Hackers on the same network as you can easily watch your online activities, capturing login credentials, debit card information, and personal messages.

Another tactic cybercriminals use is mimicking Wi-Fi networks with a malicious hotspot. For example: you may think you’re connecting with your café’s free public Wi-Fi, CafeLatte, but a cybercriminal has actually set up an “evil twin” hotspot network called CaFeLatte, switching only one letter in the name to fool you.

6. Never click on suspicious links

Phishing links can be sent by scammers through email, text messages, and posted online disguised as advertisements. If you think you have received a phishing link through email or text, always verify the sender is who they say they are before clicking on anything. It can be easy to identify phishing emails and texts because they are likely to arrive unexpectedly. Fake advertisements online are tougher to identify, but here are some ways that you can tell:

• Ads offering a deal or sale that seems too good to be true.
• Ads designed to panic you – such as a warning that your device is infected with a virus. If this is in your browser and not coming from your antivirus software, it is fake.
• Clickbait – ads with a headline about some juicy celebrity gossip that can’t possibly be true or news so shocking you must learn more.
• Ads disguised as a button that looks similar to the brand of the website you are on but isn’t quite the same. Like a fake “download” button that actually leads you away from the website.

Stay vigilant

By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the risk of debit card fraud and protect your financial information. Webster First’s Card Alert Notification Service is complimentary for everyone that has our debit card. Backed by Mastercard ®, you are covered with Zero Liability† protection, meaning we won’t hold you responsible for “unauthorized transactions”. For even more security, you can enroll in Mastercard’s ID Theft Protection™ program at no additional charge.

Stay vigilant, and don’t hesitate to report any suspicious activity.