no place to use a debit card

**sinopa27** · 03-20-2010, 09:30 PM

I was reading this article and it says 10 places not to use a debit card. After reading it, I am wondering what is left? There isn't anyplace to use the debit card then. Why can't we have safeguards in place for the debit card then.

10-places-not-to-use-your-debit-card: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance

**Jilly** · 03-20-2010, 09:39 PM

Yikes! I pretty much use mine at almost every place they say not to! This report is contradictory to what Dave Ramsey recommends. He doesn't believe in even owning credit cards at all. Now I'm really confused!

**Palooka** · 03-20-2010, 09:50 PM

Don't agree. I use my debit card for everything and would be lost without it. I use it to pay most my bills online.

**dcompton** · 03-20-2010, 10:31 PM

I do agree. I only use a debit card, occasionally, at an ATM, and only at ATM's at the bank or the credit union ATM in the medical school, though I know these can also be tampered with. I have never felt at ease using a card that, just as it says, is a direct line to my checking account. A CC at least gives a window to deal with problems without my actual money being siphoned off and MIA for a time.

**Contrary Housewife** · 03-20-2010, 11:15 PM

Some of the things they caution against, like paying for travel up front (#8) and having it taken out of your account immediately, aren't issues if you have the money to spare. If you saved up and you pay in advance, that's a lot different than if you're using your weekly grocery budget money and living paycheck to paycheck and trying to get it all to wash at the end of the month.

It's the same with bank holds from hotels (#9). Having $50 or $500 held up isn't an issue unless you're living that close to the edge.

**monkeywrangler71** · 03-20-2010, 11:24 PM

It says not to use your debit card in a restaurant because it is out of sight. How does that work? Here you can't just give your card to someone and they take money out, you have to input your PIN. Restaurants usually bring a handheld device to your table.

Also, I've never heard of having hold amounts taken off of a card, I don't know of any way for a business to take an unapproved sum out of my account, I have to press "ok" on the amount and put my number in for every transaction.

When I use my card online it goes through my own bank's online banking, with our national payment system as a bridge between my bank and the business I am dealing with. They have no access to any of my information.

Number 10 is good advice.

**craftypam** · 03-20-2010, 11:30 PM

I have always felt using a debit card that if you have a dispute they already have your money. Does anyone have experience with disputing a debit card purchase; like if you don't get the item

**Palooka** · 03-21-2010, 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

It says not to use your debit card in a restaurant because it is out of sight. How does that work? Here you can't just give your card to someone and they take money out, you have to input your PIN. Restaurants usually bring a handheld device to your table.

Most places, the server takes it and runs it through and you sign the receipt and add a tip. Debit cards are swiped just like a credit card. You don't have to enter a pin number.

**monkeywrangler71** · 03-21-2010, 12:44 AM

Originally Posted by Palooka

Most places, the server takes it and runs it through and you sign the receipt and add a tip. Debit cards are swiped just like a credit card. You don't have to enter a pin number.

Wow! Okay, I'd be really uncomfortable with that. Debit cards here need a pin. Most places make me enter my pin for my credit card as well.

**frugalfranny** · 03-21-2010, 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

Restaurants usually bring a handheld device to your table.

MW - our rest. don't have the handheld devices......they have to take the card to the cashier/register spot....then return it to you and have you sign the slip.

Don't have a debit card........don't want one.

**Palooka** · 03-21-2010, 12:58 AM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

Wow! Okay, I'd be really uncomfortable with that. Debit cards here need a pin. Most places make me enter my pin for my credit card as well.

But you wouldn't sign a receipt if the amount was wrong though. Besides just restaurants, you can have an option to use a debit with a pin number or swipe it like credit. I use the credit option mostly because it's faster sometimes. I also like the fact that I can go online to my bank that instant and see the transaction.

I guess I don't see what the big harm is...I'm just glad life moved past writing checks...

Disputing a debit card is no different to me than a credit card. It pretty much works the same way.

**frugalfranny** · 03-21-2010, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by craftypam

I have always felt using a debit card that if you have a dispute they already have your money. Does anyone have experience with disputing a debit card purchase; like if you don't get the item

I would be curious about this too CP..........would like to hear from someone that had actual experience with it.........and from what bank.

**sinopa27** · 03-21-2010, 01:10 AM

I thought if you use the debit card as a credit card transaction, you have the protect of a credit card.

**Palooka** · 03-21-2010, 01:15 AM

For those that don't use a debit card...do you put your trust in using a credit card and paying it off every month? I know some here do. How do you see it different? I mean at least using a debit card you are in a sense using cash, but have more proof.

How do you prefer your bills to be payed? Cash only driving to the place or waiting for a check to clear? Through the bank?

I'm sure I'm getting off topic now. heh

**monkeywrangler71** · 03-21-2010, 01:18 AM

Originally Posted by Palooka

I guess I don't see what the big harm is...I'm just glad life moved past writing checks...

Amen to that. Most of our stores stopped accepting cheques between 10-15 years ago. I'm not sure I can even remember how to balance a cheque register.

Originally Posted by Palooka

But you wouldn't sign a receipt if the amount was wrong though.

I guess not, but it's awfully easy to make copies of debit cards.

I've just never heard of these types of cards, it's totally different from what we have.