Insights & Information

Debit Card & PIN Tips to Keep You Information Safe

  • By Sikorsky Credit Union
  • August 21, 2023

Debit Card Security
As society moves toward using their debit card more and more, the risk of theft and fraud occurring on that debit card is increasing. The Federal Trade Commission estimated for the year 2021 approximately $140,000,000 in reported debit card fraud nationwide (FTC.gov). Your card safety and security are part of the overall security of all your accounts that you have here at Sikorsky Credit Union. If there are no measures and practices put in place by our members to safeguard their account information (including debit card numbers), the risk of theft and fraud is a reality.

Your debit card is attached to your checking account and your money in that account. Every time you use it to conduct transactions, money is taken (debited) from your checking account. Your debit card can be used for purchases on the internet, in person at a store or merchant, at an ATM, or to pay bills (depending on the company).

PIN Security
Safeguard your PIN. Your PIN is a secret and should never be given or shared with anyone. The PIN generated randomly by the Credit Union is mailed to you separately from the card. Memorize the PIN and shred the PIN paperwork, don’t just throw it away. If you get a card at a branch, you will select a 4-digit PIN that you choose. Use a PIN that is easy to remember but do not use your birthday, anniversary, or any other date that may be easy to guess. NEVER WRITE THE PIN ON THE CARD! If the card is lost or stolen the pin gives access to your account including ATM transactions.

Don’t loan your card and PIN to ANYONE! If you loan them to even a family member and they make unauthorized transactions or ATM withdrawals, you will be responsible for the loss of funds. It is your responsibility to close the debit card and assign a new PIN to it immediately when those unauthorized transactions happen.

Try to stay away from using them at ATMs that are at gas stations or convenience stores, there is very little security protection from skimming devices at these types of locations. Only use trusted merchants in person and on the internet.

If You See Something, Say Something
If you lose your debit card or your debit card is stolen, you MUST report it to the Credit Union immediately. The sooner you report it, the sooner we can stop any unauthorized transactions.

If you see an unauthorized or suspicious transaction, you need to report it at a branch, through our Member Solutions Department 203-377-2252, or our debit card processor 866-557-5375. If you delay reporting it past 60 days after receiving your next statement after the fraud started, you will forfeit the ability to claim anything after those 60 days. This appears in the paperwork from opening your account as well as in the disclosure section of our Disclosures (Electronic Funds Transfers Agreement and Disclosure- section 5 Member Liability).