The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 4:44 am
Debit cards are a convenient way for consumers to pay for purchases without using cash, checks or credit cards. Debit cards offers the convenience of a credit card without charging fees and interest on a consumer's purchase. These fees are avoided, because a debit card takes the money directly from a checking or savings account, working much like a check would. Debit cards can also double as ATM cards in many cases, making banking more convenient wherever the consumer needs to be.
Action StepsAutomated teller machine (ATM)
An ATM is a machine that allows people with debit cards to access their bank accounts to check balances, deposit money and withdraw cash.
I recommend: How Stuff Works provides a step-by-step guide on how ATMs work to provide automatic banking services for debit card holders.
Issuer
An issuer is the bank or financial institution that provides a debit card for the consumer.
I recommend: The State of New York Banking Department offers guidelines for best practices concerning issuers of debit cards.
Overdraft
Overdraft is a term used to describe an account that has "spent more" than the funds available. Most debit card holders have the option of overdraft protection-for a monthly fee paid to the issuing financial institution.
I recommend: The Federal Reserve Board has published information for mobile database consumers on how to protect themselves from bouncing checks and overdrafts on their accounts.
Personal identification number (PIN)
The personal identification number, or PIN, is a four-digit code issued to all debit card holders. This PIN is a way for ATMs to validate the identification of the cardholder.
I recommend: APG Federal Credit Union offers tips on how consumers can protect their ATM and debit card PINs from identity theft.
Personal identifier (PID)
A personal identifier is one of a number of identification numbers that can be used to validate a person's identity when trying to access financial or personal accounts. A debit card account number and the card's PIN are two types of personal identifiers.
I recommend: The Anti-Phishing Working Group provides advice on what to do when a consumer gives out a PIN, debit card number or other financial personal identifier to a phishing website.
Electronic Fund Transfer Act
This act, created and regulated by the FDIC, provides protection for consumers using debit cards so they can safely deposit or withdraw funds.
I recommend: The FDIC has posted the complete Electronic Fund Transfer Act for the protection of debiting or crediting an account using electronic means.
Action StepsAutomated teller machine (ATM)
An ATM is a machine that allows people with debit cards to access their bank accounts to check balances, deposit money and withdraw cash.
I recommend: How Stuff Works provides a step-by-step guide on how ATMs work to provide automatic banking services for debit card holders.
Issuer
An issuer is the bank or financial institution that provides a debit card for the consumer.
I recommend: The State of New York Banking Department offers guidelines for best practices concerning issuers of debit cards.
Overdraft
Overdraft is a term used to describe an account that has "spent more" than the funds available. Most debit card holders have the option of overdraft protection-for a monthly fee paid to the issuing financial institution.
I recommend: The Federal Reserve Board has published information for mobile database consumers on how to protect themselves from bouncing checks and overdrafts on their accounts.
Personal identification number (PIN)
The personal identification number, or PIN, is a four-digit code issued to all debit card holders. This PIN is a way for ATMs to validate the identification of the cardholder.
I recommend: APG Federal Credit Union offers tips on how consumers can protect their ATM and debit card PINs from identity theft.
Personal identifier (PID)
A personal identifier is one of a number of identification numbers that can be used to validate a person's identity when trying to access financial or personal accounts. A debit card account number and the card's PIN are two types of personal identifiers.
I recommend: The Anti-Phishing Working Group provides advice on what to do when a consumer gives out a PIN, debit card number or other financial personal identifier to a phishing website.
Electronic Fund Transfer Act
This act, created and regulated by the FDIC, provides protection for consumers using debit cards so they can safely deposit or withdraw funds.
I recommend: The FDIC has posted the complete Electronic Fund Transfer Act for the protection of debiting or crediting an account using electronic means.