Is your debit card putting your money at risk? Here’s what happened to one retiree—and how to stay protected
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For many older Americans, debit cards are part of everyday life.
They’re easy to use, direct, and help with budgeting.
But they also come with a hidden risk that’s leaving some vulnerable to sudden—and serious—losses.
Dee Neumann, a retiree from Virginia, learned this the hard way.
In just a few minutes, more than $500 vanished from her checking account after her debit card was compromised.
It’s the kind of financial shock no one wants—especially when you’re living on a fixed income.
Here’s what happened, why it’s becoming more common, and how you can protect yourself before it happens to you.
A simple purchase led to a big loss
Dee was doing what many of us do—running errands and paying with her debit card.
She didn’t notice anything unusual at the time.
But later, when she checked her account, she saw several unfamiliar charges from Florida, a state she hadn’t even visited.
In total, over a dozen unauthorized purchases drained her account.
“It’s a gut punch,” Dee said, “because I’m on Social Security… I have a very, very small pension.”
She’s not alone. Another woman nearby lost $400 from her EBT card after shopping at Walmart.
Also read: Stop getting duped: The secret trick to outsmarting skimming scams revealed!
How it happens: Skimmers and scams
One common culprit in these cases is a skimmer—a small device attached to ATMs or card readers that secretly captures your card information when you swipe or insert it.
Some even include tiny cameras to record your PIN.
These devices can be hard to spot, and they’re being found more frequently on self-checkouts, gas pumps, and ATMs.
But skimmers aren’t the only threat.
Phishing emails or fake websites can also trick people into unknowingly giving up their card details.
Once scammers have your information, they can quickly make purchases or drain your account—often before you even notice.
Also read: How to spot the nearly invisible device found at CVS that could be stealing your card info
Debit vs. credit: One offers more protection
When you use a debit card, any fraudulent charge comes directly out of your account.
And although banks can help, the recovery process isn’t always quick—or guaranteed.
Credit cards, on the other hand, offer stronger legal protections.
Under federal law, your liability for unauthorized credit card charges is limited to $50—and many card companies offer zero-liability policies.
More importantly, with credit cards, your personal funds aren’t immediately impacted.
As Barry Moore from the Virginia Better Business Bureau explained, “There’s no 100% guarantee, but banks and retailers are doing their best. Still, credit cards offer more protection if fraud occurs.”
How to spot and avoid skimmers
To help prevent card fraud, here are some smart habits to adopt:
Also read: This woman was left with “nothing in the fridge” after a $500,000 scam–Don’t be next.
If you’ve been targeted, act fast
If you suspect fraud on your card:
Also read: Protect your money: The shocking scam that forced Walmart to issue refunds
Special warning for EBT and benefit card users
Public-benefit cards like EBTs are particularly vulnerable to skimming.
Many of them lack modern security features like chip technology, making them easier for scammers to exploit.
If you rely on an EBT card, be extra careful at self-checkouts and always monitor your balance.
While no system is perfect, choosing to use a credit card instead of a debit card—especially for higher-risk purchases—may give you added peace of mind.
You’ll get more time to catch and report fraud, stronger legal protections, and less chance of losing access to your money when you need it most.
Read next: This mom lost her $1,500 SNAP benefits—protect your groceries now!
Have you experienced debit or credit card fraud? Do you have advice for spotting scams, staying secure, or choosing safer payment methods? Your story could help someone else avoid a costly mistake—join the conversation in the comments below!
They’re easy to use, direct, and help with budgeting.
But they also come with a hidden risk that’s leaving some vulnerable to sudden—and serious—losses.
Dee Neumann, a retiree from Virginia, learned this the hard way.
In just a few minutes, more than $500 vanished from her checking account after her debit card was compromised.
It’s the kind of financial shock no one wants—especially when you’re living on a fixed income.
Here’s what happened, why it’s becoming more common, and how you can protect yourself before it happens to you.
Dee Neumann, a retiree from Virginia, lost over $500 after her debit card was compromised—highlighting the real risks many face when relying on debit over credit. Image Source: ABC13NEWS.
A simple purchase led to a big loss
Dee was doing what many of us do—running errands and paying with her debit card.
She didn’t notice anything unusual at the time.
But later, when she checked her account, she saw several unfamiliar charges from Florida, a state she hadn’t even visited.
In total, over a dozen unauthorized purchases drained her account.
“It’s a gut punch,” Dee said, “because I’m on Social Security… I have a very, very small pension.”
She’s not alone. Another woman nearby lost $400 from her EBT card after shopping at Walmart.
Also read: Stop getting duped: The secret trick to outsmarting skimming scams revealed!
How it happens: Skimmers and scams
One common culprit in these cases is a skimmer—a small device attached to ATMs or card readers that secretly captures your card information when you swipe or insert it.
Some even include tiny cameras to record your PIN.
These devices can be hard to spot, and they’re being found more frequently on self-checkouts, gas pumps, and ATMs.
But skimmers aren’t the only threat.
Phishing emails or fake websites can also trick people into unknowingly giving up their card details.
Once scammers have your information, they can quickly make purchases or drain your account—often before you even notice.
Also read: How to spot the nearly invisible device found at CVS that could be stealing your card info
Debit vs. credit: One offers more protection
When you use a debit card, any fraudulent charge comes directly out of your account.
And although banks can help, the recovery process isn’t always quick—or guaranteed.
Credit cards, on the other hand, offer stronger legal protections.
Under federal law, your liability for unauthorized credit card charges is limited to $50—and many card companies offer zero-liability policies.
More importantly, with credit cards, your personal funds aren’t immediately impacted.
As Barry Moore from the Virginia Better Business Bureau explained, “There’s no 100% guarantee, but banks and retailers are doing their best. Still, credit cards offer more protection if fraud occurs.”
How to spot and avoid skimmers
To help prevent card fraud, here are some smart habits to adopt:
- Look closely at the card reader. If it seems loose, bulky, or doesn’t match nearby terminals, it might be a skimmer.
- Cover your hand when entering your PIN. Some skimmers include hidden cameras.
- Use contactless or tap-to-pay if available. These are harder for scammers to intercept.
- Prefer chip over swipe. Chip technology is more secure than magnetic stripes.
- Check your statements regularly. The sooner you spot an issue, the sooner you can report it.
A string of unfamiliar charges from Florida quickly drained Dee’s checking account—despite the fact that she hadn’t traveled out of state. Image Source: ABC13NEWS.
Also read: This woman was left with “nothing in the fridge” after a $500,000 scam–Don’t be next.
If you’ve been targeted, act fast
If you suspect fraud on your card:
- Call your bank immediately. Ask them to freeze or cancel your card.
- File a police report. It may be required for reimbursement.
- Change any affected PINs and passwords.
- Be alert for future scams. Sadly, once targeted, you may be targeted again.
Also read: Protect your money: The shocking scam that forced Walmart to issue refunds
Special warning for EBT and benefit card users
Public-benefit cards like EBTs are particularly vulnerable to skimming.
Many of them lack modern security features like chip technology, making them easier for scammers to exploit.
If you rely on an EBT card, be extra careful at self-checkouts and always monitor your balance.
While no system is perfect, choosing to use a credit card instead of a debit card—especially for higher-risk purchases—may give you added peace of mind.
You’ll get more time to catch and report fraud, stronger legal protections, and less chance of losing access to your money when you need it most.
Read next: This mom lost her $1,500 SNAP benefits—protect your groceries now!
Have you experienced debit or credit card fraud? Do you have advice for spotting scams, staying secure, or choosing safer payment methods? Your story could help someone else avoid a costly mistake—join the conversation in the comments below!
