[Red in Blue PA]

Why anyone uses debit cards is beyond me. Call me crazy, but I much prefer a $50 risk associated with a credit card versus having my entire account wiped out.

[Larry Lucido]

but I much prefer a $50 risk associated with a credit card versus having my entire account wiped out.

Having my entire account wiped out would cost me way less than $50.00. :-)

[goldstategop]

Keep your PIN number in your head so no one can access your bank account.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[from occupied ga]

but I much prefer a $50 risk associated with a credit card

I agree.

[Terabitten]

Why anyone uses debit cards is beyond me. Call me crazy, but I much prefer a $50 risk associated with a credit card versus having my entire account wiped out.

I'm in the middle of this right now. I don't know who exactly did it yet, but I suspect a local Mexican restaurant skimmed my data from my debit card. They bought $300 in wireless phone cards, two bus tickets from Texas, and attempted to make a $1400 purchase from Lowe's.

The reason I use debit cards is simple - I'm not disciplined enough to stay out of credit card debt. My bank (USAA) is ridiculously easy to work with when it comes to fraud issues. They cancelled my card and issued me a new one within 24 hours of my identifying the fraud. They'll also reverse any charges I disupte and refund any NSF fees that may pop up. At most, I'll have an inconvenience that could last as long as 3 days.

[Vaquero]

I leave a minimum amount of cash in my debit account....they cant steal what is not there....and transfer funds to it on-line as needed.

But basically I use my AMEX CC with cash rewards which garner me about a grand a year in cash back.

[hunter112]

Why anyone uses debit cards is beyond me.

They're perfectly fine where I'm the only one who touches the card, such as in the supermarket checkout line. It's way less hassle than writing a check, and easier to get a few bucks back in the transaction so I don't have to hunt down an ATM.

[Pablo64]

Debit cards (that are Visa or MasterCard debit cards) have exactly the same protection as a regular credit card. You can go to Visa's website and check the security information and if the card has the Visa logo and hologram you are protected just as if it was a credit card. You are still required to report it and you will probably stand the first $50 (or whatever your agreement states) but if someone steals your debit card and takes your money the bank will put it back.

I've used nothing but debit cards for over 12 years and I have never had even one single problem.

[linn37]

My bank covers my debit card if someone misuses it.

[longtermmemmory]

More than a few banks offer 100% guarantee in the event of a fraud which means zero deductable.

Competition in the marketplace is good.

[Old Professer]

Our debit card is protected as though it were a credit card.