How To Use A Debit Card: Online, ATM & Chip (2024)

Read Time: 4 Min

Debit cards make any type of purchase quick and easy. In today’s digital world, debit cards are accepted at the majority of retailers making it extremely convenient for customers. You can use your debit card in stores, online, and at ATMs.

How to Use a Debit Card Online

If you're looking to purchase something online, a debit card makes it easy.

Visit your favorite online retailer and shop as usual.
When you’re ready to check out, enter in your debit card information when prompted just like you would with a credit card.
Enter in your debit card number, expiration date, and CVV code. The CVV code is the 3 number code on the back of the card.
The final step is to enter your billing address to confirm you are authorized to use the debit card.

Be cautious with making purchases online by verifying the website is reputable, secure, and trusted.

How to Use a Debit Card at an ATM

To easily withdraw from or deposit cash to your checking account, you can use your debit card at an ATM. The first thing you need to do is insert your debit card into the ATM. Next, for security purposes, you will be prompted to enter the PIN number you chose for the card. You can either withdraw cash, deposit a check or cash, transfer money, or view your balance. After you’re finished with the transaction, be sure to take both your debit card and receipt with you.

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What is an EMV chip?

EMV (Europay, Mastercard, and Visa) chips are the small, square, often silver computer chips that appear on the surface of debit cards. The technology is designed to help protect you against fraud at the point-of-sale.

How does the EMV chip work?

Before the EMV chip, most debit and credit cards were magnetic stripe cards. The magnetic stripe was about 2-3 inches along the debit card and embedded the card’s information. As the card was swiped through a payment terminal, the card reader decoded the information in the stripe and approved or denied the transaction.

When making a purchase with an EMV debit card, rather than swiping the card at the point-of-sale, the debit card is inserted chip-first into the terminal. The terminal reads and verifies the card, authorizing the purchase. As the card is read, the EMV chip creates a unique code with each transaction, so the retailer never receives your actual card number. This makes it more difficult for fraudsters to steal your information, helping to maximize the security of your debit card.

This technology also applies to contactless payments. If a retailer accepts contactless paymentsat the point-of-sale, tap or wave your card near the contactless card reader to complete the transaction. Your EMV chip will still create a unique transaction code to protect your information.

How to Use EMV Chip Debit Card

Using Your EMV Chip Debit Card at Payment Terminal

Insert the debit card face up into the terminal.
Follow the prompts and provide your PIN when directed.
Remove the debit card when prompted or after the transaction is complete.

Using Your EMV Chip Debit Card with Contactless Payments

Look for the contactless payment icon at checkout.
Tap or wave your contactless debit card over the contactless reader.
Remove your debit card when prompted or after the transaction is complete.

Beware of overdraft charges.

We want to help you avoid fees. Keep an eye on your account balance, and learn more about how to avoid Overdraft Fees.