debit card question

[JohnnyDrama]

If I were to buy something online, would it be possible to use a debit card instead of a credit card, or does it have to have an option that says I could use debit?

[PsyClerk]

Might depend on your bank. My bank's debit card is accepted by any place that takes Visa. I can use the card as either debit or credit.

[Scrubking]

I think a debit card and a Check card (which is what I have and can use anywhere), are two different things.

So call your bank and make sure what you have.

[JohnnyDrama]

My card says "Check Card" on top, but a little off to the side it says "Debit", so I think they are the same thing.

[Wlogan31]

They are the same. A debit card works like a check, only without paper.

You can buy things online with them. It is what I use for E-bay and Best Buy online purchases all the time.

[JohnnyDrama]

Thanks a lot for the help, I just checked the FAQs from my bank for my debit card and it says that I could use it online wherever Visa is accepted.

[CTLesq]

I have never understood the need of people to use a debit card as a debit card. It works just like a credit card but without the pin.

If your question is about can it the card be used wherever Visa or MC is accepted I can understand not being sure (if this is the first time you are trying to use it). But the insistence of people at the grocery line to use their debit card as a debit card when its not accepted is enfuriating.

Run it through as a credit transaction!!!!!!!!!!

[thatstoobad]

it would probably be in your best interest to use it as a "credit" card, even though it's really a debit card. i know some banks (including mine, but not all) charge you an extra dollar or so if you use it as a debit.

the money comes from the same account whether you use it as debit or credit, the only difference is in the process. using it as a debit at a store instead of a credit is like using an atm that doesn't belong to your bank.

[JohnnyDrama]

So bottom line, whether I'm using the card online or in-store, it's better to use it as a credit card from now on? I feel like such a noob, I've always used credit before, but not debit.

[wubb]

For anyone else that has this question. Your debit card should have the Visa logo on it somewhere if it can be used as a Visa card.

Personally I would reccomend using a real credit card if you think you might end up having a problem. You can file a complaint with either type of card, but with a visa check card the money will actually come out of your account and you will be out that cash until the dispute is resolved (hopefully in your favor). With a real credit card you dispute the charge when the bill comes and don't pay anything until it is resolved (and if it is resolved in your favor you never pay anything)

I think most banks will do something for you if you dispute a check card charge unti it is resolved, but personally I never use them for this reason.

[wubb]

I have never understood the need of people to use a debit card as a debit card. It works just like a credit card but without the pin.

If your question is about can it the card be used wherever Visa or MC is accepted I can understand not being sure (if this is the first time you are trying to use it). But the insistence of people at the grocery line to use their debit card as a debit card when its not accepted is enfuriating.

Run it through as a credit transaction!!!!!!!!!!

Could be that they want an additional $20-$40 cash back so they have to do it as a debit transaction. Although it is also (probably more) likely that people are just stupid.

[CaseyRyback]

check regional banks in your area. In NC BB&T charges no fees until you are 24 if you are a student. This would eliminate any worries of fees

[CTLesq]

I have never understood the need of people to use a debit card as a debit card. It works just like a credit card but without the pin.

If your question is about can it the card be used wherever Visa or MC is accepted I can understand not being sure (if this is the first time you are trying to use it). But the insistence of people at the grocery line to use their debit card as a debit card when its not accepted is enfuriating.

Run it through as a credit transaction!!!!!!!!!!

Could be that they want an additional $20-$40 cash back so they have to do it as a debit transaction. Although it is also (probably more) likely that people are just stupid.

There have been a few cash back people, but 96% are just retarded and feel they have "added security" by using thier pin.

Then I ask them: "But if I steal your debit card, I am going to use it as a credit card and still defraud you. How are you protected then?"

Then they just shut up.

Get an AmEx Card. it is the best.

CTL

[CaseyRyback]

most people do debit because then they do not have to look for a pen or ask for a pen to sign their name either on the touch screen or a piece of paper

[dtcarson]

I usually use mine as a credit, except when I need cash. I'd rather run into a store, buy something for a buck, and get cash back, than pay some other bank 1-3$ to access my money.
Other than that I do use it as a credit card. Because it comes out of the account very quickly, it's not like traditional credit where you're spending money you don't have.

Isn't an AmeX card, traditionally a 'charge' card, not a 'credit card', that is, you can't run a balance? And they charge an annual fee? I know they've got 'Blue' now which acts more like a credit card. And I would of course love to get the Black AmEx [except for that annual fee], but I don't see that happening in this lifetime.
http://www.snopes.com/business/bank/blackcard.asp

[PsyClerk]

I use my debit card as a debit card most of the time. I see no advantage one way or the other. The two seconds it takes to enter my pin # is the same two seconds it would take me to sign the credit slip.

Regardless, you can also check with your employer to see if they can get you a deal on a bank account. My old employer did a lot of business with one bank, and that bank offered employees free checking accounts. The only time I've paid a fee is if I use another bank's ATM.

[bignick]

Usign it as a credit card is better.

When you use it as a debit card, you get no protection.

When youuse it as a credit card, you get protection.

NEVER use it as a debit card.

[CTLesq]

Isn't an AmeX card, traditionally a 'charge' card, not a 'credit card', that is, you can't run a balance? And they charge an annual fee? I know they've got 'Blue' now which acts more like a credit card. And I would of course love to get the Black AmEx [except for that annual fee], but I don't see that happening in this lifetime.
http://www.snopes.com/business/bank/blackcard.asp

You are mostly correct that AmEx is not a "credit card" and you can't run a balance (unless you get a Blue Card).

I have the platinum card and can choose to select charges to pay over time. But I never do that.

Annual fees vary - 45 for a green rewards card, 300 for the platinum (which I have) and I think its 2-3K for the black card.

But the benefits I get from having the card easily pay for the annual fee.

CTL

[bignick]

I have the gold one, and I love getting the platinum lletters in teh mail, they have tissue paper in them! I would love the platinum, but $300 is a lot. With the plat, you can buy a 1st class ticket to europe, and get one free!

[CTLesq]

I have the gold one, and I love getting the platinum lletters in teh mail, they have tissue paper in them! I would love the platinum, but $300 is a lot. With the plat, you can buy a 1st class ticket to europe, and get one free!

What does the gold card run annually?

The actual platinum card comes in an elongated blue box. Its rather cool.

[PsyClerk]

Usign it as a credit card is better.

When you use it as a debit card, you get no protection.

When youuse it as a credit card, you get protection.

NEVER use it as a debit card.

I don't think I need protection for gas and food. Unless the bank will compensate me for the massive gas I'll suffer after one too many microwave burritos.

[bignick]

I have the gold one, and I love getting the platinum lletters in teh mail, they have tissue paper in them! I would love the platinum, but $300 is a lot. With the plat, you can buy a 1st class ticket to europe, and get one free!

What does the gold card run annually?

The actual platinum card comes in an elongated blue box. Its rather cool.

$75 I think. Then $45(not %100 sure) extra for the membership rewards.The platinum has a lot of traveling benefits, I dont travel. The gold still gets you double warrenties, free shipping at places, stuff like that.

[bignick]

Usign it as a credit card is better.

When you use it as a debit card, you get no protection.

When youuse it as a credit card, you get protection.

NEVER use it as a debit card.

I don't think I need protection for gas and food. Unless the bank will compensate me for the massive gas I'll suffer after one too many microwave burritos.

What if there was an error, and you got charged $200 instead of $20. You lose. ALWAYS use it as a credit card.

[PsyClerk]

I can (and have) disputed errors before with the bank. Might vary from bank to bank I guess.

[bignick]

I can (and have) disputed errors before with the bank. Might vary from bank to bank I guess.

With debit card transactions, they are under no obligation to refund any money.

[PsyClerk]

I'm pretty sure that if you raise enough hell, something will be done. I find it hard to believe a financial institution would give you a piece of plastic for which they will claim absolutely zero responsibility.

This gives me the idea to actually call my bank and ask them. Will give me something to do tomorrow when I'm bored (that'll be about five minutes after I get into work).

[CaseyRyback]

I'm pretty sure that if you raise enough hell, something will be done. I find it hard to believe a financial institution would give you a piece of plastic for which they will claim absolutely zero responsibility.

This gives me the idea to actually call my bank and ask them. Will give me something to do tomorrow when I'm bored (that'll be about five minutes after I get into work).

who do you bank with? If its BB&T would you PM me what they tell you

[PsyClerk]

I bank with First Citizens of SC, since the places I work for are in SC.

[bignick]

Ask them the difference in protection with using your card as debit vs credit. I have USAA, one of the highest rated financial institutions in the world, and there is next to nothing they can do if there is an error while using your card as a debit card.

[CTLesq]

Ask them the difference in protection with using your card as debit vs credit. I have USAA, one of the highest rated financial institutions in the world, and there is next to nothing they can do if there is an error while using your card as a debit card.

Oh come now. I have USAA as well. My card was electronically stolen. Apparently when we went out to dinner they swiped our card a second time and stole the electronic information including the pin.

The card information was sold to someone in Africa and over the course of four days they almost emptied my checking account through ATM transactions. USAA instantly put the money back into my account, pending a fraud investigation. Needless to say it was fraud.

Although I understand your point about an error as differentiated from fraud.

Thats why I do it all by credit transactions.

[bignick]

Ask them the difference in protection with using your card as debit vs credit. I have USAA, one of the highest rated financial institutions in the world, and there is next to nothing they can do if there is an error while using your card as a debit card.

Oh come now. I have USAA as well. My card was electronically stolen. Apparently when we went out to dinner they swiped our card a second time and stole the electronic information including the pin.

The card information was sold to someone in Africa and over the course of four days they almost emptied my checking account through ATM transactions. USAA instantly put the money back into my account, pending a fraud investigation. Needless to say it was fraud.

Although I understand your point about an error as differentiated from fraud.

Thats why I do it all by credit transactions.

How did they get your pin? Wow, I didnt know you could get it from the pin. I love the no fee atm and the atm surcharge rebate I get every month! It's like $10 I get back,

[CTLesq]

Ask them the difference in protection with using your card as debit vs credit. I have USAA, one of the highest rated financial institutions in the world, and there is next to nothing they can do if there is an error while using your card as a debit card.

Oh come now. I have USAA as well. My card was electronically stolen. Apparently when we went out to dinner they swiped our card a second time and stole the electronic information including the pin.

The card information was sold to someone in Africa and over the course of four days they almost emptied my checking account through ATM transactions. USAA instantly put the money back into my account, pending a fraud investigation. Needless to say it was fraud.

Although I understand your point about an error as differentiated from fraud.

Thats why I do it all by credit transactions.

How did they get your pin? Wow, I didnt know you could get it from the pin. I love the no fee atm and the atm surcharge rebate I get every month! It's like $10 I get back,

Apparently the electronic devices they have are sophisticated enough that they can get the number now. Beats the hell out of me. The dollar amounts were random like $444.14, but thats because it was being converted into (IIRC Sudanese) foreign currency.

I distinctly remember it because I discovered it on September 11, 2002. I went to the Starbucks by Columbus circle and then went to the memorial service. I lost my wallet at the Starbucks, called them, they didn't have it and when I called USAA they were like, oh, by the way you have no money. Have you been in Africa recently? Ever since then I check my account every other day.

The single best part of the credit/debit card they have is the 1% rebate on all purchases run through as a credit card transaction.

That is mad cash back every month which over the year is huge.

CTL

[bignick]

ya, that %1 adds up. although, Im stuck between that or getting my amx points. I always use it as a credit card. I pay my car insurance with it, cell phone, and I use to pay most of my utilities with it. Its free money! Thats funny, oh, you have no money. lol