Using debit cards
Learn about using a debit card to pay for purchases or withdraw cash from your bank account. Learn how debit cards work, what fees may apply and what information you must receive with your debit card. Learn how to report unauthorized transactions and act quickly if you lose your card or someone steals it. Learn how to make a complaint about a debit transaction.
Understanding debit cards
A debit card lets you pay for purchases and withdraw money from your chequing or savings account. You may pay fees when you use a debit card. This depends on your financial institution.
Financial institutions like banks usually give you a debit card when you open a chequing or savings account.
Debit card purchases
You may use your debit card to make in-store and online purchases.
Making in-store purchases
When you use your debit card in-store, including through a mobile wallet linked to your debit card, you may need to:
- insert your card into the payment terminal, or
- hold your card, phone or other payment device over the terminal (contactless payment)
You need to enter your personal identification number (PIN) when you insert your debit card. You may also need to enter it if you go over the contactless payment limit.
Learn how a debit card works on a mobile wallet.
Making online purchases
You may use your debit card online without sharing banking details with the merchant.
Debit card protections usually also apply to online purchases. Some card issuers also extend protection to mobile transactions.
Learn more about your rights and responsibilities with unauthorized debit transactions.
Automated teller machine (ATM) transactions
You may use your debit card at ATMs for deposits, withdrawals and bill payments. You must insert your card and enter your PIN to complete most transactions.
Some ATMs also offer a contactless option.
Paying fees at ATMs
Your financial institution may charge you a fee when you use an ATM outside its network.
The operator of the ATM you used may also charge a convenience fee to non-customers.
What to do if an ATM keeps your debit card
If the ATM keeps your debit card, contact your financial institution or the ATM owner right away. Most ATMs display their contact information. There may be a toll-free number to call.
Ask your financial institution to cancel the debit card and issue a new one. This helps protect you from fraud.
Limits and fees
Knowing your limits and fees may help you avoid declined transactions and extra costs.
Managing daily limits
Your financial institution may set a daily limit on debit card use. This limit controls how much money you may withdraw or spend each day. Your financial institution may review your credit history when setting the limit.
Different limits may apply to:
- cash withdrawals
- in-store purchases
- online purchases
Check with your financial institution to confirm your debit card’s daily limits and any fees that may apply. You may want to set a limit that meets your needs.
Avoiding convenience fees and surcharges
Some merchants or terminal operators might charge a convenience fee or surcharge.
They may charge this fee if:
- the fee appears on the pad screen when you enter your PIN
- you have the option of cancelling the transaction at no cost before you complete your transaction
Most merchants don't charge debit fees.
Some merchants may require that you make a minimum purchase.
Tip
Want to avoid extra fees? Pay with cash or choose a different merchant.
Contact Interac if the PIN pad screen didn’t show the surcharge. Interac may look into the issue.
You may need to give them:
- the merchant’s name and address
- transaction details
- the surcharge amount
You may also file a complaint with your provincial or territorial consumer affairs office.
Contact your provincial or territorial consumer affairs office.
Personal identification number (PIN)
A PIN verifies your identity. It lets you access your account.
You need a PIN to use your debit card. You usually don’t need a PIN for contactless payments below a set limit. You must enter your PIN if a transaction exceeds the contactless payment limit.
Choosing your PIN
Financial institutions may assign you a PIN or ask you to choose one. You may change any PIN your financial institution assigns to you. Contact your financial institution if you don’t receive a PIN.
If you choose your own PIN, avoid using your:
- name
- phone number
- date of birth
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- address
Protecting your PIN
You may be responsible for unauthorized transactions if you don’t protect your PIN.
To protect your PIN:
- don’t keep it with your debit card
- don’t write it on your card
- never share it (even with family)
- cover the keypad when entering your PIN
- cancel the transaction if something seems wrong
- contact your financial institution right away if you think someone might know your PIN
Co-badged debit cards
A co-badged debit card shows 2 logos, for example Interac with Visa Debit or Debit Mastercard. These cards let you shop online and access debit services abroad. Your account agreement applies to all transactions.
A co-badged debit card is not a credit card. When you use it, money always come directly from your chequing or savings account.
Learn how a co-badged debit card works on a mobile wallet.
Receiving information when you get a debit card
Organizations, including the Canadian Bankers Association, have committed to the Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Debit Card Services. They commit to giving you key information before you get a debit card.
This information includes:
- your responsibility to protect your debit card and PIN
- what may happen if you don’t protect them
- who to contact if you have a problem
- a copy of the cardholder agreement
Learn more about the Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Debit Card Services.
Using your debit card while travelling
Your debit card will work in most countries, with some exceptions. Some countries may not have ATMs, but you may still be able to use your debit card for purchases.
Tip
ATM access depends on the network. Which ATMs you can use is determined by the network your financial institution belongs to. Common networks include Plus, Maestro and Cirrus. Check for the payment network logo on the back of your debit card. Before you travel, check with the financial institution or company that issued your card for more information.
If you want to use your debit card outside of Canada, keep in mind that:
- foreign currency conversion fees may apply when you withdraw money from an ATM in another country
- some ATMs accept only 4-digit PINs
- you may need to change your PIN
- financial institutions may freeze cards for unusual activity
Returning items
If you return an item purchased in a foreign currency, your financial institution may apply additional fees when processing the refund.
You may also receive a different amount because exchange rates can change between the purchase date and the refund date.
Review your account agreement or contact your financial institution to understand how foreign-currency refunds are handled.
Tip
Travelling soon? Let your financial institution know. It can help prevent card freezes and detect fraud.
Protection for debit card use in other countries
Check your cardholder agreement to see how protection works if you use your debit card in other countries. Your protection may depend on who issued your debit card and the ATM network you use.
Foreign ATMs and networks
The most common ATM networks belong to Visa and Mastercard:
- Visa owns the Plus network
- Mastercard owns Maestro and Cirrus
Both companies have ATM locators to help find ATMs in the countries where you plan to travel:
If you can’t find an ATM in the places you plan to visit, find other ways to exchange cash. Look for local banks or currency exchanges.
Tip
Travel prepared with backup ways to pay. Bringing a credit card, prepaid travel card, or cash can help if your debit card is lost, stolen, or doesn’t work.
Learn more about prepaid cards.
Learn more about using your credit card in a foreign country.
What to do when your debit card is lost, stolen or cloned
If your debit card is lost, stolen or you suspect it may have been cloned (copied without your knowledge), act quickly to protect your account. Report a lost, stolen or cloned card as soon as possible. Check your agreement for reporting deadlines.
Your financial institution won’t hold you responsible for charges if:
- the debit card expired
- you cancelled the debit card
- you reported that someone else, beyond your control, may know your PIN
- you took reasonable steps to protect your card and PIN
If you use a debit card with a payment network logo to pay online, zero liability protections may apply. Payment networks like Visa and Mastercard have committed to protect you against financial loss if someone uses your card without your permission. Check the terms and conditions and contact the card issuer for details. The name or logo of the card issuer is usually on the card itself.
Reporting unauthorized debit transactions
You’re protected against unauthorized debit transactions. Report them to your financial institution right away.
Learn more about resolving an unauthorized transaction.
Making a complaint about a debit transaction
If you have a problem with a debit card transaction, contact the financial institution that issued the card.
Learn how to file a complaint with your financial institution.