Debit cards are a significant part of our lives, giving us the convenience of making purchases and withdrawing money without the need of actual cash.
They are convenient, secure and are accepted in most stores. However, have you ever found yourself in a position where your debit card doesn’t want to work? It can be so annoying! In this article, we will discuss 5 possible reasons your debit card may not be working and what you can do to address the problems.
1. Lack of Funds in the Account
Another reason your debit card may be denied is if there are insufficient funds in your account. When you are making a purchase or when you are trying to get more cash than you have in the bank, the transaction will not go through. This one happens to us when we do not check our balance or when we have subscriptions or automatic payments that deduct the money from our accounts. To avoid this, it is recommended to keep a close eye on your account balance and to set up notifications for when the balance is low. Some banks also offer overdraft services, which can help you avoid declined transactions by allowing you to overdraw your account up to a certain amount. A recent survey revealed that about half of all Americans have been charged an overdraft fee within the past year, which highlights the need for proper management of financial resources.
2. The Card is Expired or Damaged
Another cause of a non-responsive debit card is a damaged or an expired card. Every card has a validity period and once the card is expired, it cannot be used. Damage can also lead to failure; for example, if your card is bent or broken, or if it has any other form of damage, it may not be able to be used when swiped. To avoid this, it is recommended to check the expiration date of your card and request a new one before it expires. If your card gets damaged in any way, you should ask your bank for another one. Surveys reveal that about 20% of people have reported losing their credit or debit card within the past year, so it is important to know the condition of your card.
3. Problems with the Card or ATM itself
Your debit card can also be denied for use by either the card itself or the ATM. This may happen if the magnetic strip on the card is damaged or if the card reader at the ATM is not working properly. In addition, if an ATM is out of order or has a network issue, you may not be able to make a transaction. To prevent these problems from occurring it is important to always treat your card with the necessary precautions and report any problems to your bank. In case of a malfunctioned ATM, it is advised to try another ATM or go straight to the bank for cash withdrawal. It should be noted that 60% of ATM breakdowns are as a result of the failure of the hardware or software, so it is helpful to know how these machines work.
4. Fraud can also be defined as an act of theft or misuse of your account.
If your card security is compromised through skimmers or data breaches your bank may block your card to prevent further unauthorized spending. To prevent this, it is recommended to keep a close eye on your account and inform your bank if there is anything suspicious. You may also want to consider setting up fraud alerts or using a mobile banking app that offers real time account balance information. Recent statistics show that millions of people in the United States were victims of identity theft in a single year, which highlights the need for strong personal protection measures.
5. Some banks have certain rules when using the card abroad or may block certain operations.
Finally, if you are abroad or making a foreign transaction, your debit card may be denied because of the bank’s restrictions. Many banks have measures in place to combat fraud and may deny international transactions or limit certain types of transactions like gambling. To avoid problems when traveling, it is always important to inform your bank about the trip in advance and learn about the bank’s rules regarding international transactions. The research shows that the majority of international tourists use their debit cards when traveling, so it is important to know your bank’s rules.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several reasons why your debit card may be denied, including insufficient funds, expired cards, and technical issues. To avoid such problems that may cause a lot of problems at the important times it is important to know the potential risks and how to avoid them. It is also important to keep checking one’s balance, to protect one’s card and to report any concerns to the bank to have a smooth banking experience.
