Barry Choi
A debit card is a piece of plastic that plays an essential role in many people’s daily lives. You can use debit to manage the funds in your chequing account, withdraw money from an automated teller machine (ATM) or pay for goods and services. You can even use a debit card as a form of ID when you need in-branch banking services.
Getting a debit card is easy since banks and credit unions will issue one to you when you open an account. What you may not realize is that debit cards have different features, limits and fees. Knowing how to use your debit card effectively can help you manage your finances.
How to use a debit card
You can use your debit card in two main ways: to withdraw cash and to pay for goods and services. To get cash, insert your debit card into any ATM and enter your personal identification number (PIN). To pay for something, like at a store, you’ll insert your debit card into the terminal and enter your PIN to confirm your purchase.
Most debit cards in Canada are associated with either Visa or Mastercard. This feature is incredibly handy as it allows you to use your debit card wherever Visa or Mastercard is accepted, including online.
» MORE: How debit cards compare to credit cards and charge cards
What are the limits and fees associated with debit cards?
Many banks set a limit on how much money you can spend with your debit card in a single day. Once you reach that limit, you won’t be able to make any more purchases or withdraw additional funds until the next day.
That said, you can usually call your financial institution and ask for the limit to be increased or decreased. Your bank or credit union could also reduce your limit without notice, according to the fine print in some debit card agreements, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your account in case of any changes.
As for fees, they can vary quite a bit depending on your bank and type of account. First, your bank account might include a certain number of transactions per month and charge a fee for any additional transactions. For example, let’s say your account gives you 25 free transactions a month. If you exceed that limit, you might pay a $1 or $2 fee for each additional debit transaction. In most cases, this limit only applies to withdrawals, so you can make as many deposits as you’d like.
Some small business owners may charge you a convenience fee when you pay with debit. This typically only happens if you’re spending a small amount, such as less than $5.
When you use your own financial institution’s ATMs to take out cash using your debit card, you won’t be charged a user fee. However, if you use an ATM that belongs to another financial institution within Canada or the U.S., you can expect to pay a one-time fee of about $2 or $3. International withdrawals will cost you closer to $5 each time. Remember, this fee is from your bank — the owner of the ATM you’re using may charge you an additional fee.
How to protect your debit card PIN
As soon as you get a debit card, you’ll be prompted to set up your personal identification number (PIN). Think of this as your personal security code, so don’t choose an obvious number like your birthday, phone number, or 1-2-3-4.
Make sure your PIN is always secure, as you may be responsible for unauthorized transactions if you don’t take steps to keep your PIN safe. Here are some tips to protect your PIN:
- Don’t keep your PIN in your wallet.
- Don’t write your PIN on your debit card.
- Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
- Don’t use your debit card at any terminal that appears to have been tampered with.
- Change your PIN at least once a year.
If you see any unauthorized purchases on your account, your debit card may have been compromised. Contact your financial institution’s fraud department immediately to open an investigation.
Using your debit card without a PIN
Although a PIN is often required to make purchases with a debit card, it’s not always necessary. Most debit cards also allow you to make contactless payments where you simply tap your card on the terminal to complete your transaction. Each tap transaction has a limit, such as $100; if your purchase costs more than that, you’ll need to use your PIN. You can also connect your debit card to your mobile wallet to make tap payments without a PIN.
Any online purchases you make with your debit card also won’t require your PIN. That said, for security reasons, some merchants may ask you to enter your debit card’s expiration date and CVV number.
Debit cards are practical tools for managing your money because you can only spend money that’s in your account. This is different from credit cards, where you can make purchases right away by borrowing money from the card issuer, even if you’re not sure when you’ll be able to pay it back. Using a debit card can help you stick to your budget and avoid getting into debt.
About the Author
What is a Chequing Account? How Do I Use One?
What is a chequing account? A chequing account is what most people consider to be their main account for day-to-day banking. You will use this account to deposit your earnings, withdraw cash, pay bills or make debit card purchases. Because of all these transactions, chequing accounts are referred to as “transactional” accounts. There are different […]
Hannah Logan
How to Get a Cash Advance with a Credit Card
If you’re ever in need of cash fast, using your credit card to get a cash advance can be a tempting option. All you need to do is put your card into an ATM, and you’ll be able to withdraw money right away. While there’s no denying the convenience factor, using your credit card like […]
How to Use an ATM
Automated teller machines (ATMs), sometimes referred to as automated banking machines (ABMs), allow you to withdraw and deposit money. These machines are incredibly convenient as they allow you to manage some of your day-to-day banking needs without having to visit a branch during their hours of operation. You can skip long lines, avoid rushing to […]
Overdraft and Overdraft Protection Explained
How does overdraft work? An overdraft is when your chequing account balance dips below the value of $0 — as in, you tried to spend more money than you actually have. This could happen when you’re taking out cash at an ATM, making a debit purchase at a store, writing a cheque, making a bank […]