There's a lot of good about using debit cards -- you don't have to carry cash, you're spending money you already have instead of borrowing and it is just about universally accepted.

But with this convenience comes risks that aren't always so obvious. And with more and more people relying on debit cards as their primary means of spending it is more important than ever to understand the risks.

Debit cards are not credit cards and are not afforded the same protection as credit cards when it comes to theft. Debit cards are, however, attached to your bank account, which means a mistake could be costly.

Here are the top five risks of using debit cards you need to keep in mind:

1. You are using your checking account and transactions are real-time, so when you buy something the money changes hands immediately.
2. Because your checking account is the source of funds, you are subject to overdraft charges and could cause checks to bounce if you don't keep track of spending.
3. You are not afforded the same protections as credit cards in the case of theft.
4. When using debit cards for certain purchases, such as gas, a temporary hold in an amount great than the purchase can be placed on your bank account -- making it seem as though you have less money that you really do and denying you access to that cash.
5. You do not have the same protection a credit card affords if you have a problem with a purchase.