Opposing Digits

Recent widespread debit-card fraud likely has roots in three major data leaks that occurred in the last six months, two of which have yet to be publicly disclosed by the companies involved.

Consumers have noted a large increase in the amount of debit-card fraud since the beginning of 2006, as well as a wide recall of cards by banks and financial institutions. Three major incidents are likely fueling the fraud, according to financial and security experts.

A breach associated with bulk-goods retailer Sam's Club last autumn likely resulted in millions of debit-cards potentially being put at risk, according to financial-industry insiders. A second, smaller breach affecting hundreds of thousands of debit cards has been connected to office-supply retailer OfficeMax, although that company has denied any breach of its systems. And, the most recent data leak occurred in an ATM network and likely affected millions of debit-cards as well, banking executives told SecurityFocus.

Full Article by Robert Lemos

You may want to check into liability for stolen debit cards. Credit cards only hold the user liable for the first $50 in the US. Debit cards don't fall under the same law.