For the majority of consumers, protecting their debit card will be as simple as keeping it safe and only making purchases with trusted merchants. Some card users, however, will not be so lucky. Criminals are constantly on the lookout for fresh victims and the means by which they can be ensnared. Even if a user behaves responsibly with their card, they are not necessarily immune to theft.

Below is a list of steps that all card users can take to protect their debit cards.

• Banking alerts. Most banks offer email or text alerts whenever a purchase is made. Receiving an email for every transaction can get annoying, but it will prove invaluable if there is ever a fraudulent charge made on the account. Certain issuers allow users to specify alerts only for purchases made over a certain amount. It is advisable to set the qualifying amount at $50 since most everyday debits are under this amount and will not flood the user’s inbox.
• Update contact information. Often when a debit card holder relocates or changes phone numbers, the task of updating contact information with their banks is an afterthought. This can prove detrimental, however, as the customer is cut off from their banks in the event of a query about a suspicious purchase. If the bank cannot communicate with the customer, then the likelihood increases of the suspicious charge staying on their account, not to mention future illegal purchases being made unimpeded.
• Fake ATMs. If an ATM machine appears broken, filthy, or oddly constructed, it is best for the debit customer to use a different machine. Such ATMs are possibly malfunctioning, but more worryingly, could be counterfeit , designed to record the user’s card and pin numbers. This technique is calling skimming and must be understood if users are to protect their debit cards.
• Unusual procedures. If an otherwise clean and reputable-looking ATM requests a user’s pin number more than once, or requires that the card be swiped a second time, the user should cancel the transaction immediately. Then they should notify their bank that they may have been the victim of fraud and to put a freeze on the account. From there, they should contact any payees who may be scheduled to debit the account in the near future, to avoid bouncing a transaction and incurring penalties.
• Carry the bank’s contact info. Users should never be without their issuer’s contact information. Whether it is a trip to the store or travelling abroad, a bank’s phone numbers can be indispensible to the debit holder. If they have lost their card, had it stolen, or suspect fraud on their account, the user can put a stop to it immediately, if the issuer phone numbers are carried in their wallet or purse. Failure to do this can enable thieves to make multiple illegal transactions and wreak havoc on the account before the true card holder can take any action.