As online shopping gets more popular, people often ask if it’s safe to use a debit card online.
Given the surge in internet frauds, the question seems valid.
This post will talk about the pros and cons of using a debit card online, as well as some basic tips to keep your financial information safe.
Is Using a Debit Card Online Safe?
Credit cards are preferred by financial experts because they are simpler to dispute and lower the risk of fraud for online purchases. With debit cards, there is always a chance that a fraudulent transaction might empty your whole bank account.
How to Use a Debit Card on the Internet
1. Review your bank statements regularly
Make it a habit to check your bank account online at least once a week, if not every day, since time is of the essence for your bank to provide complete fraud protection.
2. Safeguard your PIN number
Your personal identification number (PIN) should not be shared with anybody and should not be written down or stored in your wallet or purse. Do not input your PIN at the pump. Use your card in the credit purchase option to avoid being spotted. Using your debit card in credit card mode may provide you with extra liability protection, depending on your bank.
3. Make use of secure connections
It is easy to finish work thanks to mobile devices and free Wi-Fi. But you may never be sure how secure a public hotspot is. When your traffic is safe and you are at home or at work, access bank accounts or input card data.
The Advantages of Using a Debit Card
Debit cards are practical tools for managing your money and restricting your expenditures.
They don’t carry an annual fee as some credit cards do, and since your credit limit won’t be much higher than the amount in your checking account, you won’t be able to rack up debt.
But there are even more benefits to using credit cards.
The Advantages of Using a Credit Card
You run the risk of various dangers when you shop online, but the biggest one is the possibility of having your personal data stolen.
The major problem with using your debit card for purchases is that, in the event that your information is stolen, the criminal now has access to the money in your checking account.