How to Use an ATM Card Online

Use your ATM card online.

In the past, ATM (automatic teller machine) cards where used just for withdrawing cash. Issued by your local bank, you'd need a PIN for your ATM card in order to access the cash balance in your checking or savings account. The difference between an ATM card and a debit card is that you must use a PIN to pay with an ATM card. Now, in most cases you can use your ATM card to make purchases online as long as your card is associated with one of the many card processing networks.

Instructions

1. Check the back of your ATM card to verify that ATM shopping networks apply to your card. For instance, Cirrus, MAC, and NYCE are a few common ATM networks. These companies allow you to use your ATM card number to process purchases online. See "Resources" for a listing of ATM networks by state. Check to see if the ATM card has a Visa or MasterCard logo also---if so it is a debit card and you can use it to make a purchase online just like a credit card.

2. Visit your online retailer's "Help" or similar page and search for information about "Payment Methods." Check to see if the retailer accepts payments from one of the ATM card processing networks you see listed on your card. If so, proceed with the transaction and choose the option to pay with an ATM card.

3. Enter your 16-digit ATM card number in place of a credit card number and expiration date. Fill out your billing information, email address and provide a shipping address.

4. Enter your ATM card PIN when prompted then submit your order to the online store. You'll receive a confirmation in your browser and via email. Call your bank to confirm that the funds were withdrawn from your checking account---this transaction could hit your account as instantly as withdrawing funds from an ATM machine.

Tips & Warnings

• If the online retailer accepts PayPal for payments, you can create a PayPal account and link it to your checking account instead of using an ATM card.

References

• Western: Difference Between ATM and Debit Cards

Resources

• GSA: List of ATM Networks