How to Use a Debit Card to Make Purchases at a Store
- 1). Gather the items you want to purchase and proceed to checkout.
- 2). Present your debit card to the cashier. If there is a card scanner near the register, she may request that you swipe your card.
- 3). Swipe the magnetic strip side of the card through the scanning part of the machine. You will generally see a small image on the machine that will show you how to insert your card and what direction your card should face as you swipe it.
- 4). Decide whether you want to run the card as a debit or credit card when the scanner prompts you on its screen. If you choose to run it as a debit card, you will typically have to provide your personal identification number, or PIN, before you complete your transaction.
- 5). Prepare to show your driver's license if you have chosen to run the debit card as a credit card. For protection, stores will commonly ask for identification if the purchase is over $50. Some stores may ask for identification, regardless of the purchase size.
- 6). Sign the merchant's copy of your purchase. Stores typically have you sign one copy for them and give you a second copy for your records.