Sometimes you may need to pay a bill or make a purchase over the phone with your debit card. But there are a few things you should know first. Debit cards can be a quick and easy way to pay for things but the risk of fraud is high.

There’s a few things you should be wary of when giving out your debit card numbers over the phone. Let’s run through them so you armed with the right information. So grab your debit card and let’s go!

Tips for using your debit card over the phone

Ensure your privacy

It’s important to protect your card information from eavesdroppers and hackers. Make sure you don’t say your card number, expiration date, security code, or PIN out loud. This is especially important if there are other people around you or if you are using a public phone.

Check your account

After the transaction is complete, login to your banks app straight away to ensure the right funds have been debited. If it all matches up, then you’re good. Otherwise, call them back as soon as possible!

Check the T&C’s

Before you give your card details over, make sure you know what you’re getting into. Is there extra shipping costs or transaction fees? The more questions you ask, the more informed you’ll be.

Steps to buying things over the phone

If you do need to make a payment over the phone, follow our detailed guide to make sure there’s you don’t miss any steps.

Step 1: Check the credibility of the caller
Before you give out your information, make sure you definitely know who you are talking to. If someone calls you and asks for your card details, ask who they are, who they work for and their reason for calling and then hang up. Call back the company yourself using a trusted number.

Never give out your card details to someone who calls you unsolicited.

Step 2: Have your card ready
Now you’re sure that the caller is 100% legitimate, you’ll need to have your debit card ready. Find your card and make sure it is not expired. You’ll need to provide all the details to the caller. Make sure you can read these numbers clearly and don’t mix them up.

Step 3: Enter or say your card details
You’ll then need to input or say your card details to the caller. They’ll ask you for each piece of information one by one and confirm it with you by reading it back. A more secure method is to use your phone keypad or say them verbally if they ask. Be careful not to press the wrong buttons or say the wrong numbers. If you make a mistake, tell the caller and correct it right away.

Step 4: Confirm the payment details
After you have entered your card details, the caller will tell you the payment details. They will tell you how much you are paying, who you are paying it to and what it is for. Listen carefully and make sure everything is correct. If something is wrong, tell the caller and ask them to change it. If everything is right, tell the caller that you agree to make the payment.

Step 5: Ask for a receipt or confirmation number
The final step is to ask for a receipt or confirmation number. This is a unique code that proves that you have made the payment and that it has gone through successfully. The caller will give you this number and ask you to write it down or remember it. You should keep this number for your records in case there is any problem with the payment later on. You can also use this number to check the status of your payment online or over the phone.

Safeguards in place for you

Both VISA and MasterCard operate a zero liability guarantee that increases the security for over the phone transactions.  If there is an unauthorised transaction on the card then the credit card processor will not enforce the liability on the card holder.  This is in force as long as the card holder tells the card provider as soon as it is noticed and that the card holder did nothing to contribute to the theft – although this does not include reading the number over a legitimate telephone ordering line.

Debit cards can be used for ordering goods overseas as both MasterCard and VISA are large credit card brands overseas and almost anywhere that will take credit cards will also take MasterCard or VISA debit cards.

Shop securely and safely

Using you debit card over the phone sure is convenient and time saving. It saves time if the shop doesn’t have a web site or are in a different state. Your personal information is also kept relatively safe as you only need to provide your card number and expiration date and name. 

But remember, only give your card out to someone you trust.