6 Pro Tips to Keep Your ATM Card Working Flawlessly for 5 Years

Your Debit/ATM Card maintenance is more like pampering your funds, your card is your gateway to your money and quick transactions, keeping it save shouldn’t be given a second thought. With proper care you can have your ATM card work seamlessly till expiration without worries of having to pay to get another Debit card. In this article, you will discover 6 Pro Maintenance tips to that protect your card and ensure reliable transactions.

1. Store in a Protective Wallet

Exposure to scratches, bending, or pressure can damage the card’s magnetic chips.

Don’ts:

• Use a soft-lined card sleeve or rigid card holder in your wallet.
• Avoid stacking heavy objects on top of your wallet (e.g., phone, keys).
• If carrying multiple cards, keep them in separate slots to prevent rubbing.

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2. Keep Away from Magnetic Fields

Strong magnets can erase or scramble your card’s magnetic stripe data, rendering it unreadable at ATMs and POS terminals.

Don’ts:

• Don’t place your card near speakers, fridge magnets, phone speakers, or magnetic clasps.
• Avoid storing cards on top of laptops, tablets, or other devices with strong magnets.
• When not in use, keep cards in a non-magnetic compartment of your bag or drawer.

3. Avoid Placing Card on Wet Surfaces

Water and electronic are known to be good enemies, not exposing your card to wet areas or surfaces will protect it chips from rusting, hence keeping its functionality intact for couple of years.

Don’ts

• Do not place Card on Wet Surfaces.
• Cover it with water proof if working under rain.
• Clean gently with soft cloth if accidentally falls into water.

4. Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Heat can warp plastic, and extreme cold can make it brittle—both leading to cracks or delamination.

Don’ts

• Don’t leave your card on a dashboard, near radiators, or in direct sunlight.
• Avoid leaving it in a car during hot afternoons or freezing nights.
• If traveling to extreme climates, keep the card in an insulated pocket away from elements.

5. Protect Your PIN

Repeated exposure at unsecured ATMs can increase risk of shoulder-surfing or skimming attachments, leading to fraud or multiple swipe attempts that wear the stripe.

Dos

• Shield the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN.
• Inspect the card reader for unusual attachments before insertion.
• If a swipe fails after two tries, verify the terminal and then gently re-swipe; avoid forcing the card.

6. Perform Regular Function Checks

Early detection of read errors helps you replace a failing card before complete failure.

• Once every month, make withdrawal at your bank’s ATM and run a balance check at a point-of-sale terminal.
• If you experience any hesitation or error messages, request a replacement card immediately.
• Keep your bank’s emergency card-replacement number handy for swift action.

Conclusion

By following the outlined ATM Card care tips you’ll maximize your card’s reliability and lifespan. Proper care not only saves you the hassle and cost of replacement but also keeps your finances accessible around the you.

About the Author

Daniel Nseghe

Author

Daniel Nseghe is an educator and publisher at Xeera.ng with over 6 years of experience in Nigeria’s academic space. He shares practical guides and educational insights to help students thrive.

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