OpenField Finance

Beginner Course · Lesson 7 Assessment

Assessment: How to Use a Debit Card Safely

Check what you understood from Lesson 7 and apply it to real life.

Beginner Lesson 7 of 14
Before you start: complete the questions and challenges first. The full answer key with explanations is at the bottom of this page — no peeking until you finish.

1. Knowledge Check

1. When you use a debit card at a store, where does the money come from?
  1. A line of credit from the bank
  2. Directly from your checking account
  3. A prepaid gift card balance
  4. A loan you repay at the end of the month
2. Your account has $45. You buy a $50 item, the bank covers it, and then charges a $35 overdraft fee. How much do you owe the bank?
  1. $5
  2. $35
  3. $40
  4. $85
3. A text says your bank account is locked and includes a link to verify your card. What should you do?
  1. Click the link quickly
  2. Reply with your card number
  3. Open your bank app directly or call the number on your card
  4. Forward it to friends
4. Which overdraft option is usually best for teens just starting out?
  1. Standard overdraft coverage
  2. Opt out / decline
  3. Maximum overdraft limit
  4. No alerts and careful guessing
5. Kenji sells sneakers online. A buyer sends too much by Zelle and asks for a refund. What should Kenji do?
  1. Send the extra money back immediately
  2. Send half back as a compromise
  3. Do not send money back; treat it as an overpayment scam
  4. Ask for the buyer’s PIN

Short Answer

6. Explain the difference between current balance and available balance. Why does it matter?

Write 2–4 sentences.

7. Name two debit card safety habits you can start this week and explain how each protects you.

Write 2–4 sentences.

2. Real-World Action Challenge

The Debit Card Safety Audit

Objective: Complete a debit card safety audit so your card is set up to prevent avoidable fees and catch fraud early.

Step 1

Check overdraft settings and switch to opt out/decline if appropriate.

Step 2

Turn on transaction notifications and set a low-balance alert at $50–$75.

Step 3

Find the freeze or lock card button in your bank app.

Step 4

Review the last 30 days of transactions and mark anything unfamiliar.

Step 5

Save your bank’s fraud number as Bank Fraud or Card Emergency.

Reflection Question: Which safety setting or habit will protect you the most, and why?

3. Extension Challenge

Compare Two Banks’ Debit Card Safety Features

  1. Choose two banks or credit unions.
  2. Compare overdraft settings, card freeze tools, fraud alerts, ATM network, replacement card options, and fee policies.
  3. Decide which one is better for a teen debit card user and explain your reasoning.

4. Key Takeaways

  • A debit card spends real money from checking.
  • Pending holds reduce what you can actually spend.
  • Opt out/decline is usually safer than standard overdraft coverage.
  • Transaction alerts and low-balance alerts prevent problems early.
  • If your card is missing, freeze first and call the bank fast.

Answer Key

1. Correct Answer: B

A debit card pulls from your checking account. It uses money you already have, not borrowed money.

2. Correct Answer: C

The purchase puts the account at -$5. The $35 fee makes the balance -$40.

3. Correct Answer: C

This is a phishing red flag. Contact the bank through the official app, website, or phone number.

4. Correct Answer: B

Opt out/decline prevents overdraft fees by declining purchases when funds are not available.

5. Correct Answer: C

Overpayment scams use fake or stolen funds. The refund you send can be real and irreversible.

6. Sample Short Answer

Current balance shows posted money in the account. Available balance reflects pending transactions and holds. It matters because spending from the wrong number can cause a declined purchase or overdraft.

7. Sample Short Answer

Examples include turning on transaction alerts, setting low-balance alerts, covering the keypad, using bank ATMs, checking pending transactions, and freezing a lost card quickly.

Back to Lesson 7 Back to Beginner Course