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How often do you think about when and where you should use your debit card? You might think that you can keep these cards safe by adopting best practices, but this is not necessarily the case with debit cards. We do not guarantee complete protection. Some locations and times are not suitable for using these cards as a payment method.
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Rather than risk compromising your debit card, act wisely. Here are three examples of when it’s better not to use a debit card:
sketchy website
I found something I’ve been wanting to buy for a long time. But he has one problem. Websites that lead you to make purchases don’t look or feel legitimate at all.
Ann Martin, director of operations at CreditDonkey, says that even if the products and services they sell are compelling, security should not be taken for granted and they use debit cards to make purchases. Websites and services not sponsored by reputable companies should be off-limits. If you need to shop somewhere else, we recommend doing so at a reputable website or company.
via email or text
Emails and text messages are an increasingly popular phishing technique for scammers. You may receive text messages or emails from companies you know well or people you know, such as your boss. But there is something strange about it. They may write about how they are framing office gifts and need your financial information. You might say yes.
What should I do next? “Avoid porting debit card details via email or text his message without first properly verifying the recipient’s identity with a reliable source,” Martin recommends. increase.
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Orphaned ATM machine
Many people have probably seen ATMs installed in places where you don’t know where they are, such as beauty salons and convenience stores.
Need to use your debit card to withdraw money from an ATM machine in an unusual location, whether it’s midday or evening? Martin doesn’t recommend it.
“Stay away from public Internet stalls and electronic ATMs of any kind that are not located within official bank branches,” Martin said. “Both of these methods can leave your account vulnerable to fraudsters and other malicious individuals seeking unencrypted data on public networks.”
Best advice: switch from credit card to debit card
Shawn K. Lane, CEO of Financial Renovation Solutions, Inc., has a very different approach to the proper use of debit cards. Instead of thinking about when and where to use my debit card, Lane told me to use my credit card instead.
Consumers who use credit cards instead of debit cards for transactions have several additional benefits. According to Lane, credit cards offer better fraud protection, allow you to build credit, and reward you with points and cash back. In contrast, debit cards cannot be used to build credit or receive rewards or cashback on purchases.
“Use your credit card like you would a debit card,” recommends Lane. “With online banking and a smartphone app, you can pay your credit card statement daily. Track your bills and never exceed the amount in your bank account.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Experts: 3 Places You Shouldn’t Use Your Debit Card
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