We take your security seriously and have several features in place to help protect your account from fraudulent debit card activity.
- Card Management Tool – With our debit card controls found in Digital Banking, you can temporarily lock your card or set alert preferences, spending limits, or restrictions based on location, merchant type, or transaction type. You can also set travel notices to be sure you can use your card when traveling to your destination.
- EMV Chip Card Technology – Chip technology protects your information when used at a chip-enabled terminal.
- $0 Liability Guarantee – You will not be held liable for fraudulent transactions occurring with your Citizens Bank debit card. Please contact us as soon as possible after noticing any unauthorized transactions.1
- Fraud Monitoring – Reviews how and where your card is being used and looks for abnormal patterns that might indicate fraud. If potentially fraudulent use of your debit card is detected, you will be contacted by our automated Fraud Prevention Notification System.
- Daily Spending Limits – You can choose a daily spending limit up to $1,500 or the balance in your account, whichever is less. We recommend choosing a limit that is appropriate for your individual spending habits. If you are planning to make a one-time larger purchase, call us during business hours and request a temporary increase.
- Important Travel Notices
- If you will be traveling domestically (within the United States), please give us a call at 262-363-6500 or use the Card Management tool in Digital Banking to provide us with the destination and time frame you will be gone.
- If you will be traveling internationally, please give us a call at 262-363-6500 or send us a secure message when logged in to Digital Banking with the destination and time frame you will be gone.
- Failure to notify us may result in card transactions being denied. Any current restrictions in place are shown in the Card Restrictions area below.
1 The $0 Liability Guarantee covers fraudulent transactions made by others using your Citizens Bank debit card. To be covered, report transactions made by others promptly, and don't share personal or account information with anyone.
Debit Card Safety Tips
- As soon as you get your new card, call to activate it, and sign the back of the card.
- Use the card management tool found in Digital Banking to temporarily lock your card, if needed, or to set up alerts.
- Review your monthly statement or your account activity online to confirm all transactions are yours. Report any errors or unknown charges immediately by calling us at 262-363-6500.
- After you have handed your card to a merchant for a purchase, make sure that the card is actually yours when it is given back (and not the card of someone else). Keep your charge slip and destroy any carbons.
- Never give out your account number or PIN to anyone who contacts you.
- If you lose your card, or if it is stolen, report it immediately by calling us at 262-363-6500. If calling after business hours, call 1-888-297-3416.
- If you suspect fraud on your debit card, report it immediately by calling our card service center at 1-855-293-2456.
Card Restrictions
Updated 2/2/2024
Fallback Transactions
- A fallback transaction is when a chip card fails at a chip-enabled terminal and the cardholder must swipe the magnetic strip. The transaction can still be completed by entering your Personal Identification Number (PIN) for authentication at the terminal.
International Usage
- All debit cards (both consumer and business) are restricted for international usage. This restriction applies to in-person, online, and telephone originated transactions. If you need to make a purchase outside of the United States, or if you will be traveling internationally, please contact us at 262-363-6500 or send us a message when logged in to Digital Banking so we can temporarily remove this restriction.