Debit Card Fraud: Is Your Money at Risk?
Debit Card Fraud: Is Your Money at Risk? by Amy Fontinelle Monday, March 29, 2010 provided by (I) Investopedia Debit card fraud occurs when a criminal gains access to your debit card number and, in some cases, PIN, to make unauthorized purchases and/or withdraw cash from your account. There are many different methods of obtaining your information, from unscrupulous employees to hackers gaining access to your data from a retailer's unsecure computer. When your debit card is used fraudulently, the money is missing from your account instantly. Payments you've scheduled or checks you've mailed may bounce; you may not be able to afford necessities, and it can take awhile for the fraud to be cleared up and the money restored to your account.