Protect yourself from debit card fraud
Debit card fraud continues to be one of the most common forms of financial fraud, but there are simple steps you can take to help protect your accounts and reduce your risk.
Lock your card when you're not using it
One of the easiest ways to protect your debit card is by locking it when you're not using it. Through Bravera's Online Banking and Mobile App, you can quickly lock and unlock your debit card whenever needed. This feature helps prevent unauthorized purchases if your card is lost, stolen or compromised.
Set up debit card alerts
Stay informed by enabling card alerts through Online Banking or the Mobile App. Alerts can notify you when purchases are made, helping you quickly identify suspicious activity and take action if something doesn't look right.
You may want to set alerts for:
- Purchases above a certain dollar amount
- Online transactions
- International transactions
- Declined transactions
The sooner you spot unusual activity, the sooner you can protect your account.
Why transactions sometimes get flagged
Fraud monitoring systems work around the clock to help protect your account. Occasionally, legitimate transactions may be flagged if they appear unusual compared with your typical spending activity.
Examples may include:
- Large purchases that are out of the ordinary
- Multiple transactions in a short period
- Purchases in a different state or country
- Online purchases from unfamiliar merchants
- Transactions that resemble known fraud patterns
While these alerts can sometimes be inconvenient, they're designed to help prevent unauthorized activity on your account.
What happens if a transaction is flagged?
If a transaction appears suspicious, our fraud monitoring center may contact you by phone, text message or email to verify the transaction. It is important to keep your contact information up to date with the bank.
For business accounts, each debit card should have the cardholder's direct mobile phone number on file rather than the main business phone number. This helps ensure fraud alerts can be addressed promptly, even when the business is closed.
If you receive a call, text or email regarding a recent transaction, it's important to respond promptly.
You will be asked to confirm whether the charges are:
- Authorized by you (VALID)
- Not authorized by you (FRAUD)
Consider using a credit card for purchases
When possible, consider using a credit card for purchases, especially for online purchases or travel expenses.
Credit cards generally offer additional fraud protections and can provide an extra layer of security because fraudulent transactions are disputed on a credit account rather than directly impacting funds in your checking account.
No matter which payment method you choose, regularly reviewing your account activity and responding quickly to fraud alerts are some of the best ways to keep your finances secure.
Stay vigilant
A few simple habits, such as locking your card when not in use, setting up transaction alerts, monitoring account activity and responding promptly to fraud notifications, can go a long way toward protecting your money and your peace of mind.
Move forward with confidence
Effective payment solutions and proactive fraud prevention play an important role in protecting your business and supporting long-term success. Small improvements can help strengthen operations, improve efficiency and reduce risk.
By building strong financial controls and staying alert to potential threats, businesses can better protect their assets and remain focused on what matters most: serving customers and achieving their goals.