Life moves fast and you should be able to move with it. That’s why Interac Debit is your key to a convenient and secure payment experience that lets you take charge of your money whenever – and wherever – you need it.
Whether you prefer a physical card or your mobile wallet, online and physical retail payments are all available to you in the palm of your hand – literally.
What does Interac Debit empower you to do?
Questions this section will answer:
- What is Interac Debit for?
- What are the pros of using Interac Debit?
- What is the difference between a credit card and a debit card?
- When can I use Interac Debit?
- Where is Interac Debit accepted?
- What is a mobile wallet?
We know that as a customer, choice matters. And you should have a choice in how you pay for products and services the way you want. That’s where Interac Debit can help.
Interac Debit is a way to purchase products or services electronically by moving money in real-time from your bank account to a merchant’s. Depending on which solutions merchants offer, you can use a debit card provided by your financial institution, a mobile wallet like Google Pay or Apple Pay that keeps your debit card’s details to pay with your mobile phone, or pay through online banking.
Unlike a credit card, which essentially enables you to borrow money from the card issuer, Interac Debit allows you to take charge and use your own money straight from your bank account.
Interac Debit is made to be a simple, secure, and easy way to pay for your everyday purchases, and is accepted across Canada and approximately 2 million retailers in the United States. Whether you want to grab a quick snack from the corner store, pay for a movie ticket, or order dinner on your phone, paying with Interac Debit is the convenient way to pay with your own money.
What are the key benefits and features of Interac Debit?:
Trusted brand
Interac products have been a trusted everyday part of Canadian life for more than 35 years.
Widespread acceptance
Interac Debit is integrated across all Canadian financial institutions.
Best-In-Class security
Interac Debit uses up to date security technology and practices to help ensure that the only one who has access to your financial information is you.
Choice in how you pay
With Interac Debit you can pay in the way that suits you best. Whether using a physical debit card with contactless tap technology or by inputting a personal information number (PIN), or using a digital wallet like Google Pay or Apple Pay, there’s more than one way to pay.
Convenient payments
With Interac Debit contactless payments, a transaction can be as fast as tapping your card or mobile device on a purchase terminal.
e-Commerce payments
Interac Debit payments aren’t just for physical storefronts; you can purchase products and services online. From SkipTheDishes to Walmart, easy payments are just a click away.
Using your own money
When paying using Interac Debit, you can stay in charge by using your own money, straight from your account and authorized by your financial institution in real-time.
With Interac Debit, you have the choice of so many online and physical stores to shop from, all with the ability to pay with your own money, quickly and securely from your own bank account.
How Interac Debit works
Questions this section will answer:
- How can I use Interac Debit?
- Is paying with Interac e-Transfer the same as paying by Interac Debit?
- How do Interac Debit refunds work?
Interac Debit allows you to pay for products and services using money directly from your bank account. But how can you use Interac Debit? Depending on which solutions merchants offer, you can choose contactless, e-commerce or online checkout. Either way, the transaction is approved by your financial institution in real-time.
While products like Interac e-Transfer move funds between Canadian bank accounts, Interac Debit uses a debit card connected to your account, allowing for instant payments with no contact details required. And getting a refund on a transaction is just as easy as making one, as long as you are physically at the storefront with your debit card or mobile wallet. Once authorized by the merchant, the money will be sent right back into your account.
No matter which way you do it, paying with Interac Debit is simple and secure. Here’s how to make a contactless payment:
- When making a purchase, tell the merchant that you are paying with debit with the contactless method.
- Contactless may not be offered. Be sure to ask your merchant for details.
- The merchant will enter your purchase amount into a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal and hand it to you.
- Confirm the transaction amount on the terminal.
- When prompted to do so, hold your debit card, mobile phone or wearable device over the terminal.
- If using your mobile phone or wearable device to pay, you will be prompted to authenticate your identity with a pre-inputted password, pattern, or biometric scan (fingerprint, face scan, etc.)
- For your protection, there is a cumulative spend limit set on contactless payment, that varies depending on your financial institution. If you’ve reached your cumulative spend limit, you’ll need to insert your card and enter your pin. Please reach out to your financial institution to understand your cumulative limit on contactless payments.When you hear a beep, remove your card, mobile phone, or wearable device from the terminal.
- When you hear a beep, remove your card, mobile phone, or wearable device from the terminal.
Are you paying using Chip-and-PIN? Here’s how to make a payment using your debit card:
- When making a purchase in-store, tell the merchant that you are paying with Interac Debit.
- The merchant will enter your purchase amount into a Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal and hand it to you.
- Confirm the transaction amount on the terminal.
- Transaction limits are set and will vary based on your financial institution
- Insert your debit card into the terminal and select the account you would like to use for the transaction.
- Depending on the model of payment terminal and where the card reader is placed on it, you may have to insert the card chip-first or swipe down or across with the stripe facing down. Ask your vendor if you are unsure.
- When prompted to, use the number pad on the terminal to input your PIN.
- Press OK to confirm the transaction.
To learn how to use specific features of Interac Debit, visit our How To guides:
- How to Make Contactless Payments with Interac Debit
- How To Make e-Commerce Payments with Interac Debit
- How to Use Chip & PIN with Interac Debit
- How to Add Your Debit Card to a Mobile Wallet
How to get started with Interac Debit
Questions this section will answer:
- Do you need a bank account for Interac Debit?
- How do I get a debit card?
- How do I set up a mobile payment system?
Getting started with Interac Debit is almost as simple as transacting with it.
Upon setting up a Canadian bank account, your financial institution will provide you with a debit card. From there you can step into a whole new way to handle your money. From making purchases in physical and online storefronts and taking cash out with ABM machines to paying with contactless, you’ll soon find that life gets a little easier with Interac Debit.
And for a true connected experience, digital wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay can connect your card to a mobile phone or wearable device, allowing you to make payments at participating merchants without even taking your physical debit card out.
What we’ve learned so far about Interac Debit
- Interac Debit brings you a new level of choice in how you pay.
- It’s convenient, secure, and easy to use.
- It’s also safe. Read on to learn more about the unique security features of Interac Debit
What else Interac Debit can help you do
As we’ve learned so far, Interac Debit is more than just a card. It’s a key that opens you up to a variety of services and products.
Cross-border transactions: Making a trip to the United States and notice a debit terminal at a store? You may be able to pay using Interac Debit. Thanks to our collaboration with NYCE Payments Network, cross-border payments with a Canadian debit card is possible, giving you all the benefits and security of Interac Debit, including cashback at selected retailers when you’re in the U.S.
Transit Payments: Interac Debit can also make getting around more convenient on participating transit systems across Canada. Currently Metrolinx in Ontario accepts Interac Debit and riders can enjoy the convenience of a contactless payment option.
Keeping connected: By connecting your Interac Debit card with services such as Google Pay or Apple Pay, you can use your own money to shop for a wide range of products and services on participating websites or where available In-App.
Ways to use Interac Debit in Canada:
- Pay for in-store purchases
- Order food delivery
- Donate to charity
- Take out cash from an ABM
- Order a product online
- Use on select transit systems
- Pay at a select government service office
Keeping your transactions secure
Questions this section will answer:
- Is Interac Debit safe?
- Are mobile payments safe?
Not only is Interac Debit quick and easy to use, it’s also safe.
As the way we spend evolves, so does the need for heightened security. That’s why Interac has a dedicated security team that stays up to date on the latest risks, trends, and protection methods to help ensure that your personal and financial information stays where it should be: with you.
We also make sure that contactless payments with your card or mobile device are just as secure as traditional chip and PIN transaction thanks in part to transaction limits.
And if you find yourself in the unfortunate position of experiencing fraud, just know that if the worst happens and you’ve taken precautions as set out in your client agreement with your financial institution, you’re covered with the Zero Liability Policy. Contact your financial institution for specific terms.
You can read more about the safety features of Interac Debit here.
Where to learn more about Interac Debit
Want to know more about how to make fast and easy transactions? Learn more about how to use Interac Debit and other products here.
Are you a business owner? Click here to learn more about what Interac Debit can do to help your business thrive
Learn more about what Interac Debit can do for you.
Interac Debit makes paying easier.
