Tips from our team to help protect you against debit card fraud

Fraudulent activity is on the rise, so your Field & Main card is equipped with non-stop monitoring to help protect you against debit card fraud.

To better protect your account, we utilize software that monitors debit card transactions for anything unusual, inconsistent, or out of the ordinary. As a result, beginning July 30, you may occasionally receive a text message alert when our system suspects fraudulent debit card use, asking for verification of the purchase.

If the purchase in question is legitimate, simply respond “YES ”to the text alert. If you are contacted by our Fraud Center and the purchase in question is fraudulent, reply “NO,” then contact us at (888)831-1500 to begin the dispute process.

To best take advantage of this feature, you’ll need to make sure that Field & Main has your most current contact information on file. You can update your contact information by logging into online banking or the mobile app and selecting “My Profile.” You can also call us at (888)831-1500 to update your contact information, or stop by your nearest banking center.

Now, you might be wondering how you can prevent debit card fraud in the first place. We asked our team for their tips and compiled a list to help you keep your account secure.

∙I always recommend purchasing gift cards to make purchases online from websites you’ve never ordered from before or are “unsure” of. Before you enter your debit card number on just any site, make sure it’s secure and a trustworthy site/company. I also recommend customers pre-pay for their gas inside, to protect your card from debit card skimmers. – Katie Beth Shelton

∙Don’t just count on the debit card fraud monitoring service, download the CardValet app and use it as well! This allows you to quickly go in and turn off your card if you need to in case it is lost, etc. It also has other really cool features, like only allowing certain types of transactions, setting up notifications for anytime your card is used, etc.

∙Read the fine print! If signing up for a free trial of something and you forget to cancel, your card will be charged and the vendor likely won’t give that money back! You have to go through the proper channels to cancel. Also, don’t click on links in strange emails or text messages. – Michelle Hope

∙I always grab card slots [on ATMs or gas pumps] and wiggle it to make sure there’s not a skimmer on there. – Caitlin Nikolai

∙Check your account online regularly to look for irregular transactions, and limit instances of paying over the phone. Definitely do not give your number over the phone on calls you did not initiate. – Evan Dixon

∙Never keep your pin number in writing – and particularly never with your card. Commit your pin number to memory. I also use online banking (or the mobile app) to check my transactions frequently. – Jeff Jackson

∙In a safe and secure place, keep records of all your account numbers, expiration dates, and telephone numbers, just in case you lose your card and need to report it lost or stolen. – Kyle Hittner

As always, if you have questions or if you suspect debit card fraud on your Field & Main card, we’re standing by, ready to help. Feel free to give us a call at (888) 831-1500.

To report a lost or stolen card, call us at (833) 337-6075.

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