Basic Security Measures

Most banks and building societies offer a leaflet detailing basic security guidelines to prevent fraudulent payments on a debit card, including basic measures such as keeping your PIN number secret, being cautious while using Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) or Chip and PIN facilities, keeping your cards with you at all times and being aware of the dangers of online shopping (see Online Security).

Ensure you debit card never leaves your sight
Card skimming is surprisingly common. Whether you are in a restaurant, shop, garage or bar, you should ensure that the cashier does not take your card away. It is very easy for him or her to swipe it in an electronic data recorder and use your card details to shop online, by telephone or mail order: anywhere they do not require your PIN.

Sensible Precautions
You should take care of your debit card at all times: it is a convenient link to your current account. Try to ensure that it cannot be lost or stolen by keeping it with you in a zipped pocket, or if you do not wish to carry it with you, leave it locked securely in a safe. Never tell anybody your PIN nor any passwords to an internet banking or online shopping service. Make passwords hard to guess: do not use birthdays nor easy sequences of numbers such as 1234, and shield the keypad when using chip and PIN facilities, so that no one is able to see the numbers you enter.