The identity theft risk with debit cards or ATM cards lies in their PIN number. There are three main ways an identity thief can steal your PIN and access your bank account:

1. The first is if you leave your PIN somewhere that is accessible, in the worst case if you leave your PIN recorded somewhere with your debit card. A thief who takes your purse or wallet and gets possession of your debit card can do very little with it until he gets your PIN. With your PIN he gains full access to your bank account as if he were you.