What is a debit card?
Debit card is a plastic card that is linked to your checking or savings 
account.  You apply for a debit card 
at a bank  after you set up and put money into a checking or savings account.  Debit car
ds linked to your 
checking account allow unlimited transactions (uses) at stores and ATMs 
(Automatic Teller Machine).  Debit cards linked to your savings account 
may be limited to 6 uses per month and limited to uses at ATM machines.  
How do I use a debit card?
After selecting groceries, clothing, or shoes, go to the cashier.  1) You swipe 
or insert your debit card into Point Of Sale (POS) machine.  2) Machi
ne asks 
if you want extra "cash back."  Punch "no."  3) Machine asks you to ent
er your PIN (Personal 
Identification Number).  Punch keys to tell the machine your PIN number .  4) Machine asks you to approve 
if total amount is correct such as, "Do you accept amount of $35.62?"  5
) Take time to see if amount is 
correct.  Then punch "yes" or "no."  Be sure to keep the receipt for proof in case
 you discover later that 
more money was taken out of your account than you approved at the store.
  It is a good idea to keep an 
empty shoe box in your home so that you can throw all your receipts into
 the empty shoe box.  Then, if  there is a problem, you know you have all your receipts in the shoe box 
for proof.
Why do people like debit cards?
Debit cards are just like cash (paper money), so you do not need to ca
rry any 
money with you to the store.  Debit cards are easier to use in stores th
an checks.  
Check take more time because checks are documents that you must use a pe
n to write out to give to cashier.  
Debit cards provide tracking of where you spent money, and how much you spent.  You may go to your 
bank's website, and see a list of all your debit card charges — store, name, date of purchase and for what 
amount of money. 
Do debit cards keep me out of financial trouble?
Debt cards only work if you have money in your linked checking or savings accounts.
  You cannot shop 
and buy more than your current money allows using a debit card.  You may shop and buy with borrowed 
money using a  credit card.  To buy things (such as clothes, TV, or car) for which 
you do not have cash money is called "going into debt."  Debt is a word 
to mean 
the amount of money you owe to a store, car dealership, bank, or other p
erson.  
Going into debt is a terrible thing to do and may prevent your future ha
ppiness.  
Top reason for relationship fights is financial problems caused by going into debt.
How do I find out if the bank got my debit card transactions corr ect?
1) Use a computer to sign into your bank.  2) Go to your debit card li
nked 
checking or savings account.  3) Use your receipts to remind you of exa
ct amount 
you spent at the store.  4) Check every amount subtracted from your account.  If  
there is a mistake, call or go to the bank IMMEDIATELY to report the mistake.  	
Your Money: Debit Cards (page 1 of 2)	
Your Money: Debit Cards

Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  
1. a) What is a debit card?  b) Where do you apply 
for a debit card — and after what?
2.  a) What do debit cards linked to your checking 
account allow?  b) What may debit cards linked 
to your savings account be limited to?
3.  List the 5 steps to use a debit card in a machine.
4.  a) Why do you need to keep the receipt?  
  b) Why is it a good idea to keep an empty shoe 
box in your home?
5.  Why do people like debit cards?
6.  a) With debit card, can you buy more than your 
current money allows?  b) Which card allows 
you to shop with borrowed money?  c) What 
does "debt" mean?  d) What may going into 
debt prevent?  e) What is number one reason for 
relationship fights?
QUICK CHECK:	
Your Money: Debit Cards (page 2 of 2)	
What are the dangers of using a debit card? Your debit card information and PIN may be stolen.  NEVER give your debit 
card and PIN to friend or relative!  The person may double-cross you and take extra 
money from your account.  Check that a stranger or camera is not watchin
g as you 
enter your PIN.  If a criminal uses your debit card, money immediately l
eaves your 
account.  This is why you need to login to your bank to check your debit card 
account often.  You must to notify your bank within 2 business days that a criminal 
is using your debit card to limit your loss to $50 no matter how much mo
ney was 
stolen from your account.  After 2 days, a bank only pays you back for stolen money 
above $500.  It is a good idea to not put too much money into your debit
 card linked account.  You may 
keep most of your money in a  separate bank account that is NOT LINKED to your debit card.  Then, 
login to your bank to transfer the money you need for one week from the 
unlinked to linked bank account.  
Online shopping is #1 place where debit cards should not be used because 
hacking (stealing ) is easier online with debit cards.  Use credit car
d when 
doing online purchases.   Do not use your debit card at fancy restaurants 
where the waiter takes your card, goes away to process the payment, then
 
returns to your table.  Use a credit card or cash at fancy restaurants. 
 
Thieves use "skimming" devices, about the size of a deck of cards, 
attached to debit card machines to "skim" or steal your debit card infor
mation — or take a picture of your 
debit card.  Then criminals make plastic copy of your debit card to use.  "Skimming c
an occur almost 
anywhere, but be especially aware at restaurants, gas pumps, and ATMs," said Kristi Arey, Fraud Manager.  
Skimming most often happens at unattended places — on gas pump that i
s farthest from the store or on 
ATM that is not well lit.  Please go to YouTube.com, and search for "How to spot skimmer on gas pump or 
ATM."  Watch videos to show you how recognize skimmer device attached to debit m
achines, gas pumps, 
and ATMs.  If you think something is wrong or looks strange on the debit mach
ine, do not use it!  
7. List 4 steps to make sure the bank got your 
debit card transactions correct.
8.  What do you do if you find a mistake?
9.  a) What do you NEVER do?  b) Why?
10.  As you enter your PIN, what do you check?
11.  a) What is your loss limited to if you notify the 
bank within 2 days?  b) After 2 days, above 
what amount does the bank pay you back for 
stolen money? 
12.  a) Where do you keep most of your money?
  b) Then, what may you do each week?
13.  a) What is #1 place debit cards should not be 
used?  b)  Where else do you not use debit card?
14.  a) What does skimming device do?  b) Then 
what do criminals do?  c) Where does skimming 
most often happen?  d) Give one example.  
  e) What can you watch on YouTube?