When it comes to using debit cards or check cards, you may worry about security and safety - especially if you are using them online. This is likely because there are many news stories about scam artists who may try to steal access to your checking account via your debit card information.
There's also a number of misconceptions out there that lead people to believe that, unlike credit card protection features, you'll simply be out of luck if someone begins making purchases from the checking account linked to your debit card or check card. This is simply not true.
Fortunately, there are many security features in modern debit cards and check cards that help prevent theft and unauthorized use. The following are some of the common safety features that most debit cards have, including a few that are unique to our First Bank and Trust debit cards:
The MobiMoney App
The MobiMoney App
When it comes to our customer's safety and security, First Bank and Trust goes above and beyond by offering the MobiMoney App to customers for free.
This app provides users with additional control over their debit card usage, thereby adding a number of extra layers of protection. The following are just a few of the features available through our MobiMoney app:
- Activate and deactivate your debit card at any time. This means that if you've lost your card or suspect fraud, you can deactivate it to prevent it from being used. However, if it turns out you misplaced it inside your own home, you can simply reactivate it.
- Limit the usage of your debit card to certain locations. This helps prevent fraud if you are using your debit card online. For example, if you live in Tennessee, you can limit its use to Tennessee. If someone manages to acquire your debit card information, they won't be able to use it outside of Tennessee. You can also easily add more locations through the app if you are traveling for vacation or work.
- Set a number of other limits, including merchant preferences and transaction types. You can even set threshold amounts so that its use won't exceed a set amount.
- Choose to receive alerts whenever your card is used so that you can spot potential fraud immediately.
Visa's Zero Liability Policy
If you use a Visa check card, you are protected by Visa's Zero Liability Policy. If you use your card in accordance with the requirements in the policy, you will be protected from any purchases that were made without your permission. This policy will cover you whether the purchase occurred online or offline.
Regular Fraud Monitoring
Companies who supply check cards, like Visa, often provide free fraud monitoring. If they notice any purchases that look out of the ordinary, they will let you know.
For example, if you live in Virginia and most of your purchases are made in Virginia but Visa identifies a purchase that was suddenly made in Canada, they will notify you. By doing this, they can identify potential fraud when it happens, preventing further fraud from occurring.
Chip Technology
Debit card companies have begun manufacturing their check cards with chip technology. Chips are much more secure than the traditional magnetic stripes, which can be easily cloned by criminals. It’s much more difficult for thieves to copy chip cards or to extract information from those chips. Even if a thief had the technology to do this, the chips actually encrypt the information found on them, making it even more difficult to extract any useful information.
There are many safety features that help to keep your debit card and check card safe against fraud. As long as you use your debit cards or check cards responsibly, maintain them securely and review your account statements regularly, debit cards are a convenient and safe way to pay for goods and services.
And although rare, if you do encounter unauthorized transactions with your debit or check card, First Bank and Trust will be here to help you quickly and easily resolve it. For more information about using our debit cards or check cards, be sure to contact us at First Bank and Trust today.