Banking

Debit Cards and e-Transfers

Learn how debit works and how to send money safely.

5 minutesBeginnerReviewed July 23, 2026Lesson 5 of 15

Debit purchases remove money directly from your bank account. An e-Transfer moves money through participating financial institutions.

Protect your debit card

Keep your PIN private, cover the keypad and avoid obvious PINs. Never give someone your card and PIN together.

Banks may set daily limits. A declined purchase may mean a limit was reached.

Use e-Transfers carefully

Confirm the recipient and amount before sending. Treat an e-Transfer like cash.

Use Auto-Deposit where appropriate and avoid security answers visible on social media.

Be suspicious if a buyer overpays, asks for a refund or sends a strange acceptance link.

Try this

  1. 1Check your debit card's daily limit.
  2. 2Check whether Auto-Deposit is enabled on your account.
  3. 3Never share passwords or verification codes.
Check your understanding

3 questions

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Questions completed: 0 of 3

Question 1 of 3
Where does the money for a debit purchase come from?
Question 2 of 3
A buyer sends you more than the agreed price and asks you to refund the difference. What is this most likely?
Question 3 of 3
Which habit best protects your debit card?

Official sources

Educational content only. TaxLoophole.ca provides general educational information and does not provide personalized tax, legal or financial advice. Rules may change and may differ based on your province, territory and circumstances. Verify important decisions with the Canada Revenue Agency, another appropriate government source or a qualified professional.

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