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Bottom Line Up Front

  • Debit and credit cards come with a range of security features that protect your accounts.
  • Alert your issuer any time you travel out of town or temporarily lose your card.
  • Utilize notifications to stay on top of account activity and catch fraudulent charges.

Time to Read

3 minutes

July 18, 2022

When you hear the words “debit card security” or “credit card security,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? Many of us think of debit or credit card “chips” or “smart cards” because of all the buzz in the media around their enhanced security. What you may not know is that other features may be available that can boost your cards’ protection even more.

Going the Distance With Travel Alerts

Before you travel, alert your debit and credit card issuers where you’ll be traveling and when. That way, if the account is charged from outside your normal stomping grounds, they’ll be less likely to flag it as suspicious, block your purchases or put your card on hold. Plus, they’ll also know to flag account activity in your hometown as suspicious if it happens when you’re away.

Navy Federal Credit Union members can easily set travel notifications through digital banking* or by calling 1-888-842-6328.

Freezing a Lost Card

What do you do if you can’t find your card? The ability to quickly freeze or unfreeze your account is a great feature that many debit and credit cards now offer. Freezing your account as soon as you notice your card is missing prevents new transactions from being made until you figure out whether the card is really missing. It’s a handy protection against someone finding your card and using it. And, if you do find your card, unfreezing it is as simple as a quick tap or click.

As a Navy Federal Credit Union member, you can freeze or unfreeze your debit or credit card in seconds on our mobile app.

Staying Connected With Notifications

One of the most effective ways to keep your accounts safe and to stay ahead of fraudsters is to stay on top of your account activity through notifications. With these alerts, you’ll be able to know quickly if there are changes or transactions you didn’t make, so you can act fast to protect your account.

At Navy Federal, you can customize how many and what types of notifications you receive—and even how you receive them—in seconds.

More Benefits, More Security

In addition to 24/7 account monitoring, Navy Federal members have the added protection of our Zero Liability policy when they make transactions with their Navy Federal debit or credit cards. That means you’re not responsible for any reported, unauthorized charges. Learn more about the ways we protect you and how you can protect yourself by visiting our Security Center page.

Next Steps Next Steps

  1. Set up notifications for debit or credit card activity to be notified about every transaction or account change. Report any fraudulent activity immediately.
  2. Alert your card issuer about any big changes to your debit or credit account, like if you misplace your card or plan to use it out of the state or country.

Disclosures

This content is intended to provide general information and shouldn't be considered legal, tax or financial advice. It's always a good idea to consult a tax or financial advisor for specific information on how certain laws apply to your situation and about your individual financial situation.