| If you had the notion that as long as you kept your | | | | open the door for someone to quickly and easily steal |
| debit card pin number a secret no one could gain | | | | your money and/or your identity. |
| access to your account, think again. In the news today, | | | | Debit cards require that you notify the card issuer |
| 11 people, one of which included a U.S. Secret Service | | | | within two business days after loss or theft to receive |
| informant, were charged in connection with theft and | | | | a $50 liability. Any longer than that and your loss could |
| sale of more than 41 million credit and debit card | | | | be up to $500. Over 60 days, and you many not get |
| numbers from nine major retail stores. | | | | anything back. |
| The Department of Justice believes this to be the | | | | Here are a few tips to protect your debit card |
| largest hacking and identity theft case ever. The | | | | information |
| suspects were charged with conspiracy, fraud, | | | | |
| computer intrusion, and identity theft. The culprits | | | | 1. Don't use your debit card at an ATM in dark or |
| apparently hacked into wireless computer networks of | | | | suspicious areas. |
| retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Sports | | | | 2. If you must use your ATM card and someone is |
| Authority, BJ's Wholesale Club, DSW and others. They | | | | standing behind you, cover the pin pad when you enter |
| set up programs, which captured card numbers, | | | | your PIN number. |
| passwords, and account information. | | | | 3. If the ATM takes your card DO NOT LEAVE. Call |
| Three of the people charged were from the U.S. The | | | | the bank immediately to report the incident. |
| others were from Estonia, Belarus, China, and the | | | | 4. Don't write down your pin number, especially on the |
| Ukraine. | | | | back of your card. |
| Protecting Yourself | | | | 5. Don't use PIN numbers that are easy for people to |
| Your debit card is your lifeline. You use it whenever | | | | guess - Birth date, Birth Year - Street Number, etc. |
| you need to make a purchase and stick it back into | | | | 6. Change your PIN number periodically. |
| your wallet without a care in the world until it's gone; | | | | Debit cards are a very SAFE way to spend money |
| you've misplaced it; or it has been stolen. | | | | and get cash. In fact Debit cards are one of the safest |
| With the right information, anyone can use your debit | | | | ways of traveling with cash. It is important though to |
| card to withdraw money, make a purchase at a local | | | | use caution whenever using your debit card just as |
| retailer, gas station, or restaurant. Although many | | | | you would when using any other method of payment. |
| establishments have signs posted that require | | | | Following the above steps will help reduce your risk of |
| identification, many don't ever enforce it, especially | | | | debit card fraud and allow you to use your debit card |
| during busy periods. The truth is that debit cards can | | | | safely and securely. |