Debit Card Best Practices
Debit Card Dos & Don'ts
Debit cards are a convenient, secure way to access your money, make everyday purchases, and manage your budget with ease. But with convenience comes responsibility. At Red River Bank, we believe in empowering our customers with smart habits and simple steps to keep their finances protected. Whether you're swiping at a local store, withdrawing cash from an ATM, or shopping online, these best practices will help you use your debit card wisely and securely.
To report a lost or stolen debit card, call (866) 561-2265.
Keep your card in a safe place
- Treat your debit card like cash—it gives direct access to your money.
- Avoid leaving it lying around, even at home.
- Use a wallet or designated pouch to prevent accidental loss or theft.
Set a secure pin
- Never write your PIN on your card or keep it in your wallet.
- Choose a number that's not easily guessed (avoid birthdates or simple patterns).
- Regularly change your PIN for added security.
Monitor your account regularly
- Check your transaction history to spot unauthorized activity fast.
- Use Red River Bank's mobile banking app or online banking for real-time tracking.
- Reviewing statements helps you catch duplicate charges or billing errors. Go paperless and sign up for eStatements. Every eStatement will be archived in your Online Banking.
Notify Red River Bank of travel plans
- Tell us when to expect purchases outside of your usual area.
- Doing so prevents declined transactions due to fraud suspicion.
- Some transactions will automatically be flagged as fraud if you're in a new location.
Use secure ATMs and payment terminals
- Choose machines attached to banks or well-lit public areas.
- Avoid standalone or suspicious-looking ATMs.
- Look for card skimming devices before inserting your card.
Sign the back of your card
- This helps validate your identity during in-person transactions.
- A signed card can be matched to receipts and prevent misuse.
- Some retailers won't accept unsigned cards.
Set up transaction alerts in online banking
- Receive instant notifications of card activity by SMS or email.
- Alerts help detect fraud early and track spending.
- You can customize alerts for specific accounts.
Report lost or stolen cards immediately
- The sooner you report it, the better. Time matters for fraud protection.
- Banks can freeze your card and issue a replacement quickly.
- If you suspect your card is stolen, you can use the card controls in the Red River Bank app to shut it off.
Don't share your pin
- Your PIN is the key to your debit card. Sharing it—even with people you trust—creates a security risk.
- Someone could drain your account or make unauthorized purchases.
- Memorize your pin, and never store it in easily accessible places like your phone's notes app.
Don't use your debit card on sketchy websites
- Unsecure or unfamiliar websites could be traps for stealing your card info.
- Your data might be harvested, leading to fraudulent charges.
- Stick to reputable sites with "https" in the URL and use payment services like PayPal for an extra layer of protection.
Don't ignore suspicious activity
- Small, odd transactions may signal fraud attempts or testing by scammers.
- Set up instant alerts for card activity and check your account regularly
Don't let others use your card
- Even people close to you may not be cautious with your card—or worse.
- You could be liable for any misuse of your card, and it's hard to dispute charges you "allowed."
- If someone needs money, offer cash or use a secure money transfer app instead.
Don't overspend
- Debit cards pull directly from your checking account—no safety net.
- You might trigger overdraft fees or miss essential payments.
- Set a monthly budget and check your balance before big purchases.
Don't send your card number by text or email
- These channels can be intercepted or exposed by malware.
- Hackers or scammers could use your card info without your knowledge.
- Only input card data on secure forms, and never share details through unencrypted messages.
Don't forget to update your contact information
- Your bank needs accurate information to notify you of important account activity.
- You could miss fraud alerts or account freezes if you are unreachable.
- Update your phone number, email, and mailing address whenever you change them.
