ATM / Debit Cards

Frequently Asked Questions

 
DEBIT CARD Safety Guidelines

Follow these safety guidelines to help prevent fraud and ensure your personal safety when using an ATM or debit card.

Do:

• Be prepared. Have your transaction ready before you arrive at an ATM.
• Block others’ view. Stand between the ATM screen and any individuals waiting behind you, blocking your PIN from view.
• Complete the transaction. Gather your cash, receipts, and SHAZAMChek card and put them away before leaving the ATM.
• Keep your receipts. The ATM and debit card receipt is your proof of a transaction. Report unexplained transactions immediately.
• Be cautious after hours. Park in well-lit areas and scan the location before approaching the ATM.
• Be alert in your car. Keep the engine running, doors locked, and windows up until you reach the ATM.
• Memorize your PIN. Never disclose your PIN to anyone. Never write your PIN on your card or anything you carry with or near your card.
• Protect the Magnetic Stripe. Avoid exposing the magnetic stripe on the back of your card to the magnetic stripe on your credit cards. Always be sure to protect your card from other magnetic objects. They can render your card useless.
• Extra care with unfamiliar Merchants. Don’t make a leap of faith when it comes to buying goods or services from mail order, telephone, or Internet merchants you don’t know. Be sure to ask questions when doing business with a new merchant and only give them your account numbers when you know the business to be reputable. Remember, if the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Safeguard your personal computer against “Pharming”. Pharming is the name for an activity where a hacker acquires access to your computer for the purpose of redirecting web traffic to another site.

Do Not:

• Write your PIN on your card or carry your PIN with your card.
• Give information over the phone. If a caller requests your card number and PIN, do not reveal it.
• Withdraw money for a stranger. No one has the right to ask or compel you to withdraw funds via ATM.
• Insert your card or enter your PIN in any terminal that does not look genuine, has been modified, has a suspicious device attached, or is operating in a suspicious manner.
• Fall prey to “Phishing”, “Vishing”, “Smishing” or “Pharming”. Never respond to e-mail, phone call or text message requesting you to provide card, PIN, or personal information via the internet, cell or home phone.