Debit cards - pros & cons...

[traces7]

We're thinking of getting a debit card. (I know, we're behind the times!) But I've been so nervous about them.

But now, a lot of the places we write checks at, like WalMart, gas stations, grocery stores, etc., just take your personal check, run it through a machine and give it back to you. Seems like such a waste to me, as far as buying boxes of checks.

Can you guys give me some more advice? Should we just get one and be done with it? We'd only use it at the grocery store, gas station, WalMart, places like that.

What are the good things about debit cards and the bad things? I've heard you can check out and just use the debit card but say credit and then you won't have to put in a pin number. (The whole pin number thing is what scares me.) Thanks for any advice!

 

[neatokimmo]

I'd personally get a credit card and pay it off every month. If your number is stolen, you don't have real cash in fraud limbo.

We're thinking of getting a debit card. (I know, we're behind the times!) But I've been so nervous about them.

But now, a lot of the places we write checks at, like WalMart, gas stations, grocery stores, etc., just take your personal check, run it through a machine and give it back to you. Seems like such a waste to me, as far as buying boxes of checks.

Can you guys give me some more advice? Should we just get one and be done with it? We'd only use it at the grocery store, gas station, WalMart, places like that.

What are the good things about debit cards and the bad things? I've heard you can check out and just use the debit card but say credit and then you won't have to put in a pin number. (The whole pin number thing is what scares me.) Thanks for any advice!

 

[delmar411]

I'm not sure what you are nervous about exactly to help ease your mind?

A debit card can be used just like a CC. You hit credit and swipe your card. It has the same protections as a CC too for $0 liability on fraudulent transactions so that's a big plus.

You never have to use your PIN if you dont' want to. I don't ever use PINs and I actually had to go to the bank and have our PINs reset because I forgot what mine was and DH never even knew what his was. We were at Costco and I had forgotten to bring a check. Rather embarassing at the time but that should give you an idea how often you need to use a PIN. LOL I don't ever use an ATM but if you do that would be about the only time you have to use the PIN.

 

[CajunDixie]

We have to use ours as a "credit" when shopping. Our credit union charges us a fee if we use it as a debit and considers the purchase the same as using a non-networked ATM. Ours has the Visa logo so we're supposed to be protected under them. I've had the magnetic strip get messed up on 2 of my cards so that was a PITA! But we still have a box of checks for times like that and for small places that don't accept credit cards.

 

[allyphoe]

I'd personally get a credit card and pay it off every month. If your number is stolen, you don't have real cash in fraud limbo.

This. Even with 0% liability for fraudulent charges, that doesn't change the fact that until the charges are reversed, you have no access to that money. And even if your bank reverses any overdraft fees, the people you paid in the meantime aren't going to be reversing the bounced check fees.

 

[maddiesmom0116]

I think Debit cards are still safer then checks. A check has you address and phone number, at times your DL number and of course your route and account number to your bank account.

 

[traces7]

I'm not sure what you are nervous about exactly to help ease your mind?

A debit card can be used just like a CC. You hit credit and swipe your card. It has the same protections as a CC too for $0 liability on fraudulent transactions so that's a big plus.

You never have to use your PIN if you dont' want to. I don't ever use PINs and I actually had to go to the bank and have our PINs reset because I forgot what mine was and DH never even knew what his was. We were at Costco and I had forgotten to bring a check. Rather embarassing at the time but that should give you an idea how often you need to use a PIN. LOL I don't ever use an ATM but if you do that would be about the only time you have to use the PIN.

That's what I was worried about, was somebody somehow getting my pin number and getting all the money in my account. But if we never use the pin, we wouldn't have to worry about that right? So you can just always use your debit card as credit with no problem right? That's what I think we'd do. Would be so much easier and better than wasting checks.

 

[traces7]

I think Debit cards are still safer then checks. A check has you address and phone number, at times your DL number and of course your route and account number to your bank account.

That does make sense. I was always wondered about that too.

 

[allyphoe]

That's what I was worried about, was somebody somehow getting my pin number and getting all the money in my account. But if we never use the pin, we wouldn't have to worry about that right?

They couldn't use your card as a debit card and get all your money without your PIN. But they can use it as a credit card, without even having the physical card, and get all your money.

 

[IDoDis]

You are much safer using a debit card vs a check. I've had a debit card since they first came out -- how long has that been? 15 years? It's not the pin # you should be worried about really because all anyone needs is your account number to hack into your account. When you write a check, your account number is right there for anyone to see. When you swipe your debit card, it's on a secure network unlike your paper check floating around in a file somewhere. When those swiping machines get hacked, all the hacker needs is your account number and info from the magnetic strip.

Don't worry about it really. You really need to use a debit card. When Wal-Mart runs your check through a machine and hands it back to you, it's basically the same thing as you using a debit card.

If it makes you feel safer, open a separate checking account where you only keep enough money in it per month to cover your debit card transactions. Then if your info would be stolen only the money from that account would be gone -- and really it's not even gone. The bank will pay it back to you.

 

[Green Tea]

They couldn't use your card as a debit card and get all your money without your PIN. But they can use it as a credit card, without even having the physical card, and get all your money.

Happened to my DS's today, infact. The card was not out of possession but the number was used at Western Union for a cash advance. Way overdrew his account. Someone is happy tonight.

 

[traces7]

Happened to my DS's today, infact. The card was not out of possession but the number was used at Western Union for a cash advance. Way overdrew his account. Someone is happy tonight.

This is what scares me! How did they get the number if they didn't have the card? Would a debit card still be safer than a check? I would think so, since on a check your account number is right on it.
Oh! Everything is scary today, I get so confused! Thanks for all the advice. We will probably get one eventually!

 

[3_disprincesses]

NOTHING is safe anymore! You just have to be cautious and protect all your information no matter what way you choose to pay. I use a debit card for everything...I check my account daily online so if there were anything fraudulent, I will catch it immediately. I did like the idea a pp had to only keep enough money in that account to cover what you will be spending with the card. Checks, credit cards, debit cards...just Be Careful!

 

[NYCDiane]

There's nothing to be worried about in using your debit card. Just track your purchases so you don't overdraft your account.

I recently stopped using my debit card. I used to use it for everything. Now, after I get paid and pay all my bills, I take the cash out of the bank. I used to dislike carrying cash but now I'm more conscious of what I'm spending since I "see" the money going..... With the debit card, I'm not spending any more, but it's too easy to just "swipe away" and not really realizing what you're spending. With cash, I think twice and actually "see" when I'm running low.

I don't carry around hundreds of dollars --- I usually know what I'm going to spend on groceries or whatever and bring that amount with me and leave the rest home. I've actually saved money this way since I know I only have "x" amount to spend and won't buy extra.

 

[umaangel00]

This is what scares me! How did they get the number if they didn't have the card? Would a debit card still be safer than a check? I would think so, since on a check your account number is right on it.
Oh! Everything is scary today, I get so confused! Thanks for all the advice. We will probably get one eventually!

I work for a bank so if you want to ask me anything specific please let me know! Usually they get your card number if you are using it on the internet. Usually what happens is a virus or spyware gets on your computer that records every keystroke and you are none the wiser. There are con artists our there that have tiny cameras and can take a picture of your card when they are behind you in line but that is VERY rare. I also do agree using it at credit instead of debit is safer since you have 0 liabliity that way. It is MUCH safer to use your card than a check. I rarely just checks anymore, I just use my card. Let me know if you have any other questions. I promise you won't annoy me. I work in a call center for the bank I work for and I am hounded all day long!

 

[dfchelbay]

This is what scares me! How did they get the number if they didn't have the card? Would a debit card still be safer than a check? I would think so, since on a check your account number is right on it.
Oh! Everything is scary today, I get so confused! Thanks for all the advice. We will probably get one eventually!

I'd go with a credit card...visa or mastercard. It's not attached to your personal funds. You are not responsible for the fraudulent charges and they will give you a new card and new account number if it's ever stolen. Just as you go online to check your banking, you can go online and check your credit card everyday. We use our credit card for practically everything. Then, I go home and just pay the balance online. No interest or fees. We get airline miles each time we use our credit card, so we get free trips quite a bit.

Hope this helps. Maybe check into the Disney Visa, then all your charges will give you free Disney dollars.

 

[traces7]

I'd go with a credit card...visa or mastercard. It's not attached to your personal funds. You are not responsible for the fraudulent charges and they will give you a new card and new account number if it's ever stolen. Just as you go online to check your banking, you can go online and check your credit card everyday. We use our credit card for practically everything. Then, I go home and just pay the balance online. No interest or fees. We get airline miles each time we use our credit card, so we get free trips quite a bit.

Hope this helps. Maybe check into the Disney Visa, then all your charges will give you free Disney dollars.

We do already have the Disney Visa, so that's a possibility!

 

[riley2008]

I prefer having the debit card; HOWEVER I have the "old" debit card which still requires the PIN number. It doesn't have a Visa or Mastercard logo on it. I can use it 99% of the places I shop. The only places that I cannot use it are at one of our fabric shops and and my boys' pediatrician's office. I use it at all other retailers. Oh, I can't just swipe it and "hit credit" - it'll get denied. It requires the PIN.

Now, my bank tried to get me to get a Mastercard debit card, but I declined. I've been very happy with my "old card".

Oh, I can't use it for internet purchases, but I don't have a problem using my credit card for that.

 

[kafitty]

You never have to use your PIN if you dont' want to. I don't ever use PINs and I actually had to go to the bank and have our PINs reset because I forgot what mine was and DH never even knew what his was. We were at Costco and I had forgotten to bring a check. Rather embarassing at the time but that should give you an idea how often you need to use a PIN. LOL I don't ever use an ATM but if you do that would be about the only time you have to use the PIN.

i'm not sure where you live or what kind of card you carry, but i have to use my PIN number everywhere. Legitimately, everywhere. it's a Bank of America card with a VISA symbol on it; if i use my actual CC (BoA Visa, again, but an actual credit card), most places ask for a zip code.

You are much safer using a debit card vs a check. I've had a debit card since they first came out -- how long has that been? 15 years? It's not the pin # you should be worried about really because all anyone needs is your account number to hack into your account. When you write a check, your account number is right there for anyone to see. When you swipe your debit card, it's on a secure network unlike your paper check floating around in a file somewhere. When those swiping machines get hacked, all the hacker needs is your account number and info from the magnetic strip.

Don't worry about it really. You really need to use a debit card. When Wal-Mart runs your check through a machine and hands it back to you, it's basically the same thing as you using a debit card.

If it makes you feel safer, open a separate checking account where you only keep enough money in it per month to cover your debit card transactions. Then if your info would be stolen only the money from that account would be gone -- and really it's not even gone. The bank will pay it back to you.

to all of the above, but especially the bolded.

online banking is a godsend! imagine never balancing a check book - you can always check your balance online, or even through your phone in some cases.

an amusing anecdote - if my mother and i are on a shopping spree, we can always expect a call from her husband, just "wondering" what we're up to. Yah, okay, just wondering - he's been monitoring her debit card use! (and, uh, their dwindling bank account )

We do already have the Disney Visa, so that's a possibility!

i actually like this idea, because if you have the money to pay it off every month, you may as well reap the benefits!! (and all the better if they're DISNEY benefits!!)



i'd say go for it, become comfortable with the the technology now, as opposed to 5-10 years from now when checks become obsolete. Banking is definitely going to become more and more technology-based in the future, for better or for worse.

and i'm sure the people in line behind you won't mind either... (not trying to be rude at all, but...yeah)

 

[delmar411]

i'm not sure where you live or what kind of card you carry, but i have to use my PIN number everywhere. Legitimately, everywhere. it's a Bank of America card with a VISA symbol on it; if i use my actual CC (BoA Visa, again, but an actual credit card), most places ask for a zip code.

I use a Chase bank card. It has a visa logo and I hit credit to pay. You only enter a pin when you choose debit to pay. Way back 11-12yrs ago when I got my first bankcard if you choose debit to pay you had to pay a .25 fee for each transaction. So I only used credit even then except at places like Costco that only allowed debit cards or checks. Those debit fees are gone these days but I still only use the credit option. I use online banking, I pay my bills online, I track our spending online. The only checks I use are to pay rent, at Costco and the rare occasion I have to send in a check to the kids school.

I don't carry cash and I get rewards for using my Chase card as credit. I'm not sure why I would ever have to use my card as a debit unless I didn't have a check at Costco.