You can set a cap on non PIN transactions (treating it like a credit card) by contacting the issuing bank. I wish I had 5 dollar figures right now to worry about, count your blessings, but no way could anyone jack more than a few hundred from mine before I could get it corrected.
Our debit card has a daily limit-which is good, I guess. Last time at Sam’s Club we had to keep having the clerk take things back until we were under the limit. I felt so dumb, but at least I know that even with a PIN there is only so much per day that could be stolen.
We have never had 5 figures in our checking so a 3 figure limit is a very good thing for us :)