In today’s world, where so many things are done online (i.e. shopping, ordering food, paying bills, etc.), many people are turning from cash to the convenience and security of a debit or credit card. Debit cards in particular offer a safe and easy way to access your account and make purchases in a cashless world.

At First Keystone Community Bank, we offer a free debit card with every checking account. To get you started, here’s a list of the convenient options available with the FKCB debit card.

Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards

While a credit card allows you to purchase things now and pay later, a debit card pulls the money for the purchase directly from your checking account. In order to complete the transaction, you must have the money in your account. This will help to avoid making purchases that you can’t truly afford. It also helps you to stay mindful of your finances and avoid going into debt.

Save Money

If you don’t pay the full monthly balance on a credit card, interest begins to accrue. But with a debit card, there’s no interest, since the money is taken from your account at the time of purchase (or within a couple business days.) However, you also need to be aware of the balance in your account in order to avoid costly overdraft fees. By keeping an accurate record of your checking account, you won’t have to worry about overdraft fees.  Last but not least, many credit cards have annual fees, but with a FKCB debit card there is no annual fee.

Use Debit Cards Online or In-Person

FKCB debit cards are accepted online or in any store where VISA® is accepted. You can easily shop from home, use it at the gas pump, or make purchases at the grocery store. They can also be used at thousands of ATMs across the country and internationally. For security reasons, they are set with certain daily limits, $500 for ATM withdrawals and $1,500 for card purchases. But if you intend to make a large purchase greater than your limit, contacting the bank to assist will prevent issues with your transaction.

Debit Card Control Capabilities

By downloading the FKCB mobile banking app, you can control the functionality of your card. From the mobile app, you can block and unblock access to your card, as well as set limit restrictions based on transaction amount, location or merchant. This feature is especially helpful if you misplace your card or fear it has been stolen.

Built in Fraud Monitoring

The Fraud Department at FKCB is always looking out for you with 24/7 fraud monitoring. If we see anything suspicious or out-of-the-ordinary on your card transactions, you will receive a phone call and/or text message to verify those transactions.  As a side note, if you travel out of your local area, please contact the bank with a travel alert so that out-of-the-area purchases or ATM transactions don’t appear as fraudulent activity.

Rapid Issue Debit Cards

Lost your card and need a new one, or maybe you just opened your account and can’t wait to get your hands on your shiny new FKCB debit card? At certain FKCB locations, we can print a card while you wait. If you aren’t able to get to one of those locations, we offer expedited delivery of your card. Check with your local branch for our debit card delivery options.

Safety Advantages Over Cash

While having cash on you is sometimes necessary, it is safer to carry a debit card. If you lose a $20 bill out of your pocket, chances are, you are not going to see that bill again. If you drop a card out of your pocket, you can either call the bank to have it deactivated or use the mobile app to block purchases on the card.

Rewarding Perks

By linking your FKCB debit card to a Keystone Cash or Keystone Cashback checking account, you may qualify to earn rewards. For example, when you meet all the qualifications with a Keystone Cashback account, you can even earn a percentage of your debit card purchases as the reward.

Hopefully, we’ve given you a better understanding of how a debit card works and its many advantages. If you don’t have one, visit your local First Keystone Community Bank branch to fill out an application today. Already have a debit card and love it? Let us know your favorite thing about your card in the comment section below!