Debit Card for Secure Online Shopping

Gone are the days when shopping meant a whole day of getting ready to step out, getting a good workout by walking around a number of streets, shops and malls to find what you are looking for. With digital technology growing at a rapid rate, shopping has transformed into a quick online activity. With the tap on a screen, you can instantly access everything from household groceries, clothes, medicines, fruits and vegetables, furniture and much more. While online shopping is a great convenience, you have to plan for the payments of these online purchases. Today, we’ll detail out how a debit card is a great option for this decision.  

Reasons to use debit cards for online shopping 

There are a number of reasons to choose debit cards as your payment option while shopping online. Some of them include: 

Reason 1: It is easy to access a debit card

When you open a Kotak811 savings account, you receive a debit card along with your chequebook and other instructions in your welcome packet. There is no application process involved when it comes to getting a debit card for your needs. In addition to this, when your debit card is close to its expiry date, most of the time, the bank will reach out to you and send you a renewed debit card in time. This means that you can be assured of using your Kotak811 debit card at all times, from the moment you open your bank account. 

Reason 2: It is easy to use for online transactions 

When shopping online, debit cards are a highly convenient option for payments. You can add your card details to the online site’s portal and secure your card as per RBI’s guidelines. With this, you can shop easily in the future without having to constantly input your card details. In addition to this, most online retailers accept debit cards as a payment option, bringing more convenience to your shopping.  

Reason 3: No hidden charges 

Many people prefer credit cards for their shopping. But they come with repayment plans, interest charges and possible debt. But debit cards offer a direct spending method, making you less susceptible to these types of financial pitfalls. Unlike credit cards, which can amass interest charges if not paid in full, debit cards allow you to pay for your purchases without any additional charges. When using debit cards, you can only spend what you already have in your account, making it convenient for you to avoid overextending and accumulating debt.

How to securely spend online with debit cards? 

While online shopping brings conveniences, it also brings with it a number of risks. In order to navigate your debit card spends online optimally, there are a few things you should look out for:  

Monitor your bank account: 

As debit cards are a direct spending service, your bank account statements offer the most accurate pattern of your spends through it. It is a good practice to review your account statements every month. This helps you in two ways - it helps you keep track of how much and where has your debit card been used to spend and also helps you in creating your budget, as the statement will give you a better idea of how much you are spending on what things.

Choose secure sites: 

When shopping online, you must make it a habit to shop at trusted websites which have secure payment gateways. To identify a secure website, check the website URL. it should begin with ‘https://’. You should also check if there is a symbol of a lock in the website’s address bar.  

Avoid using public WiFi: 

Public WiFi has a lot less security, especially when compared to a private network. That is why it is never a good idea to shop online when accessing public WiFi. This will leave your debit card details vulnerable and make you an easy target for those carrying out fraudulent activities.  

Beware of phishing scams: 

Phishing scams are on the rise, making it crucial you stay vigilant when using your debit card. Please remember, you must never divulge your card details to anybody on call, message or email. Make sure to verify the sender’s information and background before engaging with them.