Posted on

Safety First: How to Protect Your Money from Debit Card Fraud

Debit card dangers

Written by R. A. Stewart

How to make the most of your bank’s debit card.

Having a debit card is a handy banking aid to have at your disposal. If you like buying stuff off the internet then you need some form of visa payment system to allow you to do this. Certainly not owning a debit or credit card in this day and age is a bit like not knowing how to use the internet and I have met a few of those people.

There are some rules which need to be followed if you are to make the most of your debit card.

You may not agree with some of what I am saying here but then again there may be something in this article which may be helpful.

Don’t do these things with your debit card:

  1. Don’t have your pay direct debited into your debit card.

If you do this then you are asking for trouble especially if you are buying and selling online because these sites will have your card details and all it would take is for one of these sites to be hacked leaving your card details to be exposed to fraudsters. I use my debit card for online purchases only. I deposit money into my debit card from my personal savings account. 

  1. Don’t use your debit card as a way to save money for your holiday, car, or anything else.

The most obvious reason for this is that your money is not earning any interest. There are better options available for investing your savings such as a personal savings account if the money may be needed within twelve months or an online share market platform such as sharesies or robinhood if you are investing for a longer term.

  1. Don’t leave your debit card lying around where anyone can pick it up.

This is the same as leaving your household keys lying about. If you are just using your debit card to make online purchases only then there is no reason to carry it around with you. Leave it in a safe place at home.

Contact your bank if you notice any deductions on your statement which you never made.

They will then cancel your card and order a new one for you. Take some form of ID with you when you do this.

I knew a lad who had $3,000 missing from his savings account so he contacted his bank. This lad had his debit card linked to his ordinary savings account on one of those overseas websites where you buy stuff. (It was not ebay). What they discovered was that the website was hacked which meant that his account details was exposed. 

In the end, the bank refunded his money. 

I told him that he was better off depositing a lump sum into an account which is not linked to internet banking.

Here are other ways of getting the most out of  your debit card

  1. When using your debit card at the checkout at a retail store choose “cashback” instead of visiting an ATM machine to avoid fees.
  2. Utilize app features to lock your card if it is stolen or lost to temporarily block certain transactions from taking place.
  3. For overseas travel use the wise debit card to minimize high foreign exchange fees which would have otherwise be charged on your bank’s debit card.

About this article

The article is of the opinion of the writer and may not be applicable to your personal circumstances, therefore discretion is advised. 

You may use this article as content for your  blog/website or ebook.

Read my other articles on www.robertastewart.com

The Wise Travel Card

The Wise Debit Card represents a significant step forward in the realm of international banking and financial services. Its commitment to transparency, competitive rates, low fees, and user-friendly features make it a compelling choice for anyone seeking a better way to manage their finances across borders. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, an expatriate, or simply someone looking to save money on international transactions, the Wise Debit Card is worth considering as a reliable and efficient solution.

Get your Wise Card Here

Disclaimer: I may earn a small commission if you sign up for wise.

Posted on

Don’t let a cashless payment be an inconvenience

Written by R. A. Stewart

It’s a sign of the times when more and more businesses do not accept cash. This means that if you are on holiday, it is important to have a card which can be used for a tap and go with low bank fees. 

Most bank ATM cards will work on ATM machines in other countries ATM machines but each withdrawal will be costly and if you are using this form of payment for small purchases at the checkout in another country, your bank fees will quickly add up as you will discover once you return home on your overseas trip.

Using a debit card is a handy option. These work in much the same way as a credit card but with one difference; you are using your own money. Once your balance is used up, that’s it, you cannot spend any more than what you have in that account. It is just a matter of topping it up. 

The Wise debit card is one which I have recently joined. This is a travel card which can be a useful addition to your payment options where cash is not accepted.

When you sign up you require an ID such as a passport or driver’s license. You also need to verify your address. This is done using a utility or a rates bill.

Ordering your card is simple. Just log into your wise account and order it from there. It costs $14.50 ($NZ). You will receive your card within two weeks. 

While the  wise debit card offers numerous benefits, it’s not without its limitations. Availability may be restricted in some regions, limiting its accessibility to a global audience. Additionally, ATM withdrawal limits and fees may vary depending on the user’s location and the currency being withdrawn. However, these limitations are relatively minor compared to the overall value proposition offered by the Wise Debit Card.

Note Wise was previously called Transferwise.

Join Wise Here

Wise may not be for everyone due to different personal circumstances; therefore, discretion is advised. I may receive a small commission if you sign up for wise.

Www.robertastewart.com