Debit Card Security – at Bank of Easton your safety is our priority.
The Bank of Easton provides essential security tips and travel guidance to help you confidently use your ATM and debit card, whether at home or traveling abroad. Your debit card safety is vital to protecting your financial assets. Please review these tips to keep your transactions secure and understand how to best protect yourself in today’s digital world.
Using Your Card at ATMs
To protect yourself during ATM transactions, follow these safety guidelines:
- Stay Aware of Your Surroundings: Be mindful of your environment, especially if using an ATM after sunset. Choose ATMs in well-lit areas, and if anything seems unusual, find another machine.
- Protect Your PIN: Never write down your PIN or share it with anyone. Shield the keypad when entering your PIN, especially if others are nearby. In enclosed ATM kiosks, do not allow others to enter while you are using the machine.
- Handle Cash Discreetly: Avoid displaying or counting cash at the ATM. Count your cash later in a secure location like your vehicle or your home.
- Drive-Up ATMs: When using a drive-up ATM, keep your car doors locked, windows up, and engine running. Stay aware of your surroundings for added security.
- Report Lost or Stolen Cards Promptly: If your card is lost or stolen, report it immediately by calling 800-472-3272. When receiving a new card, remember to sign it right away.
Digital Security and Cybercrime Protection
In today’s digital world, it’s essential to stay vigilant against cybercrime and online scams:
- Phishing Scams: Be cautious about unexpected emails, texts, or calls claiming to be from the bank. Bank of Easton will never ask for sensitive information like your PIN or password via email or text. If you are unsure, call us directly to verify.
- Fake Websites and Apps: Always confirm you are on the official Bank of Easton website or mobile app before entering personal information. Use trusted sources or bookmarks to access our site and apps.
- AI-Driven Scams: With advances in AI, scams may use voice cloning or manipulated videos to impersonate bank staff or your family members. If you receive a suspicious call or message, hang up and call us back using our verified contact number.
Additional Digital Payment and Card Security
To protect yourself against modern security threats and improve your debit and credit card safety, consider these best practices:
- Contactless Payment Caution: While convenient, be cautious when using contactless payments in public areas. Monitor your accounts regularly for any unusual transactions.
- ATM Skimming Awareness: Inspect an ATM for any unusual attachments or devices, as these may be skimming tools designed to capture card information. For additional debit card safety, use RFID-blocking sleeves for contactless cards in crowded areas.
Travel Tips and Information
Planning to travel? Here are some important tips to ensure your card is ready for the road:
- Travelling Internationally: Due to high rates of fraud we block all transactions outside of the US. If you are going to travel internationally call us before you leave so that we can unblock your card for the country you are visiting.
- Ensure Your Card’s Validity: Verify that your card won’t expire during your travels. If it does, contact us at least one month prior to your trip to order a replacement.
- Know Your Daily Limits: Daily ATM withdrawal limits are $500, and point-of-sale transaction limits are $750. Plan purchases and withdrawals accordingly. Contact us if you would like to request an increase to your limit.
- Keep Important Contact Information Handy: Write down your card number and our contact number, 508-238-1000, in case you need assistance while traveling. Be sure we have an updated contact number for you to verify any unusual transactions flagged by our fraud detection system.
- Save Receipts and Review Statements: Keep all ATM and debit card receipts and compare them with your statement when you return home.
Protecting Your Account and Passwords
To help secure your online account, consider these tips:
- Unique, Complex Passwords: Use unique passwords for your banking accounts and avoid reusing them from other sites. Create strong passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Password Management Tools: Reputable password managers can help securely store and manage your passwords.
- Public Wi-Fi Precautions: Avoid accessing your banking accounts over public Wi-Fi, which is more vulnerable to cyber threats.
- Device Security: Keep your device’s operating system and banking app updated, use screen lock features, and enable biometric security if available.
For any questions or to discuss additional security measures, please call us at 508-238-1000. We’re here to ensure your banking experience is safe and secure, wherever you may go.
Learn More
Read our article on debit card safety: https://www.bankofeaston.com/debit-card-fraud-alert/
All Deposits Insured in Full
Rest assured, every deposit at Bank of Easton is fully insured. All deposits are covered up to the maximum limits allowed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF) of Massachusetts insures deposits in excess of these amounts offering you the confidence and security you deserve.
