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Debit Do’s and Don’ts
Debit can be the financially stable friend who keeps you grounded. There’s a lot to like about using debit — though it’s not perfect either. Let’s talk pros and cons.
When it comes to money management, debit card tends to fly under the radar. Sitting next to flashy credit cards, they often get ignored. Credit cards lure you in with sign-up bonuses, points, and perks.
But the urge to overspend is tempting. If you're someone who finds it hard to say no to impulse buys, you might want to rethink which card you're using. Debit can be the financially stable friend who keeps you grounded. There’s a lot to like about using debit — though it’s not perfect either. Let’s talk pros and cons.
The Good Side of Debit Debt-Free Zone
Debit outshines credit by helping over-spenders avoid accumulating debt and high interest rates. Think of it like spending digital cash — money is pulled straight from your checking
account. Since you're only using funds you already have, it encourages smarter spending and better money management overall.
A Perfect Match for Digital Wallets
More and more people are ditching physical cards for digital wallets. Over half of U.S. consumers now use options like Apple Pay®, Google Pay™ or Samsung Pay™ more than
traditional cards. You can connect both credit and debit cards, but we recommend using debit — especially since you won’t get hit with interest.
Digital wallets also pack serious security. Instead of storing your actual card number, they use encryption and tokenization. This means that your card number is never stored,
enhancing your overall security. Even if someone were to bypass the encryption, they would only obtain a tokenized number, not your real card number.
Worry-Free Shopping
Using your debit card doesn’t mean giving up on protection. Some financial institutions, including Desert Financial, offer benefits like Purchase Security,1 which can cover eligible items that get damaged or stolen.
Online Shopping
Stick to trustworthy sites and double-check URLs for the padlock icon and “https.” Be cautious about those tempting Instagram ads — they aren’t always legit. If you do spot any sketchy charges, you’re covered with Visa’s Zero Liability Policy2 when using a Desert
Financial debit card. That means you won’t be on the hook for unauthorized charges.
Don’t Hand Out Personal Info
Financial institutions won’t ask for personal details through texts, calls, or DMs. Keep an eye on your accounts and report any strange activity ASAP.
Avoid Overloading Your Checking Account
Ideally, your checking account should hold 1-2 months’ worth of expenses, plus a little buffer (about 30%). Extra funds are better off in savings, investments, or a retirement
account. If your debit card info gets stolen, someone could drain everything through charges or ATM withdrawals.
Watch Out for Card Skimming
Skimming happens when scammers place devices on card readers — usually at gas
stations or ATMs — to steal your info. If the card slot looks bulky, loose, or tampered with, walk away and find another machine.
Protect Your PIN
Think of your PIN like the Social Security number of your debit card. Don’t write it down, don’t share it, and don’t use obvious numbers. Make your PIN unique and keep it private.
Have you ever heard of decision fatigue? The more credit cards you carry, the harder it can be to make smart financial choices. Want to keep things simple? Stick to debit and follow these solid do’s and don’ts.
Debit Card = Safe + Smart
At Desert Financial, your Visa debit card is fraud-protected and we act quickly to investigate suspected fraud. To protect your debit card, review your checking account regularly, report fraudulent charges or lost/stolen cards immediately, keep your debit card in your
possession at all times, protect your PIN and only use your debit card with trusted vendors. For more information about fraud, scam and identity theft protection,
visit DesertFinancial.com/Fraud.
Apple Pay is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. Google Pay is a trademark of Google, LLC. Samsung Pay is a trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
1For complete terms and conditions, refer to Purchase Security Terms and Conditions.
2Zero Liability Policy covers fraudulent transactions made by others using your Desert Financial debit card. For transactions to be covered under this policy, please do not share personal or account information with anyone. In addition, please report any fraudulent transaction promptly. For complete terms and conditions, visit DesertFinancial.com/Terms.
Federally insured by NCUA
