Debit card

A debit card (also known as a bank card or client card) is a payment card that provides the cardholder electronic access to his or her bank account(s) at a financial institution. Some cards have a stored value with which a payment is made, while most relay a message to the cardholder's bank to withdraw funds from a payer's designated bank account. The card, where accepted, can be used instead of cash when making purchases. A debit card has an its associated personal identification number (PIN) for security of transactions.

Unlike credit cards, payments using a debit card are immediately transferred from the cardholder's designated bank account, instead of them paying the money back at a later date.

Debit cards usually also allow for instant withdrawal of cash, acting as the ATM card for withdrawing cash. Merchants may also offer cashback facilities to customers, where a customer can withdraw cash along with their purchase. Debit cards are also used to facilitate telephone and online banking.

Debit card fraud has become a major concern and utmost care should be taken in guarding your PIN and card.

See also

• Savings account
• Chequing account

External links

• Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Debit Card Services

Financial Wisdom Forum discussions

• Bank and Credit Card Fraud
• Credit vs. Debit
• VISA debit cards