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Using Credit Cards in public instead of using a Debit Card

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thom02099
Valued Contributor

Re: Using Credit Cards in public instead of using a Debit Card

In addition to all of the previous comments, there's the advantage of the credit card companies monitoring your card activity, and if they see something fishy, they can shut down the card right away and contact you, the consumer.  Some card issuers are more proactive than others, but all of them seem to have a sense of urgency when something is just "not right".  You're far more likely to get a phone call from your credit card company than from your credit union or bank for your debit card.  This is not to say there's NO protection in using a debit card, and I'm sure there are some CU/Banks that may monitor debit card activity.  But the monitoring by the "big boys" is legendary. 

Message 31 of 45
Open123
Super Contributor

Re: Using Credit Cards in public instead of using a Debit Card


@dddewdrop wrote:

Also,, for me using credit cards increases the risk that I will go into debt so I mostly use my bank card. I feel it is safer in the long run for me because when I use a credit card I sometimes don't want to pay the bill so I let it go and could end up back in debt. To the person who was saying that "smart people don't use debit cards" I say that is untrue. 


You know, there are those who feel using your "own" money will cause you to spend more, while using a CC knowing you have to pay it back will cause you to spend less.  Smiley Wink

 

The difference is during a case of fraud, a debit card's funds are credited immediately as a "courtesy" while the Bank investigates.  They certainly aren't required by law to do so.  Furthermore, if funds are fraudently withdrawn from your bank account, unless you notifiy them within 60 days, you're no longer entitled to recover them.

 

In the case of credit card, by Federal law, you're only liable up to $50 for fraud period.  

Message 32 of 45
bribro
Valued Contributor

Re: Using Credit Cards in public instead of using a Debit Card

I had a friend who was the victim of fraud on his debit card, likely card skimming at a gas station. He had >$20,000 drained from his checking account before fraud detection caught on, and that money was "gone" for almost 2 weeks while they tried to clean up the mess.

 

Bottom line: ALWAYS USE CREDIT WHEN YOU CAN.

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Message 33 of 45
navigatethis12
Valued Contributor

Re: Using Credit Cards in public instead of using a Debit Card


@bribro wrote:

I had a friend who was the victim of fraud on his debit card, likely card skimming at a gas station. He had >$20,000 drained from his checking account before fraud detection caught on, and that money was "gone" for almost 2 weeks while they tried to clean up the mess.

 

Bottom line: ALWAYS USE CREDIT WHEN YOU CAN.


The bank was violating the law when they made your fiend wait until their investigation was finished to credit the account back. Visa requires that the money be put back within five days and the law says it has to be within ten days.

 

I'm not one to use a debit card except for Capital One's 20 cents on each purchase, but I think people are way too paranoid about the card being skimmed. How many times has the credit card you use been skimmed? A credit card and debit card have the same chance of getting skimmed or hacked into, so you really aren't safer using a credit card over a debit card. I have had credit card information compromised, but never a debit card. It's not really a good idea to keep all money in one account for many reasons. If you are paranoid about it, you could open another bank account and deposit a few dollars in it and keep it for the times when a debit card is needed.

Message 34 of 45
Open123
Super Contributor

Re: Using Credit Cards in public instead of using a Debit Card


@navigatethis12 wrote:

The bank was violating the law when they made your fiend wait until their investigation was finished to credit the account back. Visa requires that the money be put back within five days and the law says it has to be within ten days.


Thanks!  Didn't realize this.  Will certainly keep it in mind if my debit cards ever become compromised.

Message 35 of 45
frankietown
Established Member

Re: Using Credit Cards in public instead of using a Debit Card

can someone explain to me how to just use credit cards primarily? i relied on debit for sooo long and now that i got a credit card i do want to be safer.

 

so do i just charge everything i do normally to credit card? then transfer funds and pay it off?


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Message 36 of 45
scenery_guy
Established Contributor

Re: Using Credit Cards in public instead of using a Debit Card


@Open123 wrote:

@Commandolam wrote:

I never use my debit card for purchases nowadays. The only thing I use it for is depositing money into my checking account at my bank (I don't use direct deposit, I like going to the bank in person.)


These days, I use mobile deposit exclusively.  Now, I'm not sure if it's any safer, but I guess we'll find out in the next several years!  Smiley Very Happy


I tried using Chase's mobile deposit but every check I had was too large. What's up with that? At this point just ACH me the funds please. 

Message 37 of 45
GatorGuy
Valued Contributor

Re: Using Credit Cards in public instead of using a Debit Card

Don't forget about leveraging your money. whenever you make a purchase on your debit card that money is gone from your account then and there. You lose all ability to have that money working for you such as earning interest.

When you use your credit card you could have up to 2 months extra of keeping your money in an interest bearing account before having to pay your bill. This adds up to a significant amount through out a whole year.
Message 38 of 45
tinuviel
Moderator Emeritus

Re: Using Credit Cards in public instead of using a Debit Card


@navigatethis12 wrote:

@bribro wrote:

I had a friend who was the victim of fraud on his debit card, likely card skimming at a gas station. He had >$20,000 drained from his checking account before fraud detection caught on, and that money was "gone" for almost 2 weeks while they tried to clean up the mess.

 

Bottom line: ALWAYS USE CREDIT WHEN YOU CAN.


The bank was violating the law when they made your fiend wait until their investigation was finished to credit the account back. Visa requires that the money be put back within five days and the law says it has to be within ten days.

 

I'm not one to use a debit card except for Capital One's 20 cents on each purchase, but I think people are way too paranoid about the card being skimmed. How many times has the credit card you use been skimmed? A credit card and debit card have the same chance of getting skimmed or hacked into, so you really aren't safer using a credit card over a debit card. I have had credit card information compromised, but never a debit card. It's not really a good idea to keep all money in one account for many reasons. If you are paranoid about it, you could open another bank account and deposit a few dollars in it and keep it for the times when a debit card is needed.


While that may be true, for some people that span of 5 to 10 days could mean the difference between the mortgage or rent check either clearing or bouncing. By using a credit card, all that you're tying up is your available credit. I'd much rather that be in dispute than my funds that are set aside for paying bills.


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Message 39 of 45
09Lexie
Moderator Emerita

Re: Using Credit Cards in public instead of using a Debit Card

@frankietown

Everything you usually buy on a debit cc use your cc instead -Preferably one with rewards. Depending on your finances pay your cc bill every two weeks, before the statement cuts or before the bill is due. Pyt times depends on you. Just don't pay interest and don't forget to spend only what you can PIF
Message 40 of 45
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