Debit cards are a useless hassle

[Anonymous]

I know people who have gotten fraudulent charges on their debit cards, and it's always a pain in the ass, because it debits the money first, then they have to file to get it back, whereas with a credit card you get a chance to challenge it first before you have to pay it.

This is not even counting the fact that you get rewards on most credit cards.

The best way around this pain in the ass is to call up your bank, and tell them you want the capability to charge things onto the debit card disabled, and that you want it for ATM usage only.

Credit cards are relatively easy to get too, even for someone w/ bad credit, it'll only take a year or so to rebuild it enough to be able to get an unsecured card. (Especially if they're armed w/ the information you can find here on how to rebuild it)

I never understood why people who HAVE credit cards still use a debit card. It's insecure, and you get no real benefits for it.

Having a debit card can cause all kinds of headaches. When it gets stolen, you could get your bank account drained for days/weeks until you go through the claim process, checks could bounce, etc..

Almost everybody gets a card stolen sooner or later, I would much rather it be a credit card then a debit card.

[Anonymous]

I have read and read on this forum about how much people dislike debit cards.  Personally, I choose to use my debit card in most instances as I don't particular care to "finance" my Quarter Pounder w/ cheese, a tank of gas, or weekly groceries.  A debit card with a Visa or Mastercard logo affords you the EXACT same protection as a credit card with same logo.  If a fraudulent transaction is made with your debit card, the bank will credit the money in question back to your account until an investigation is complete.  I know this because it happened to me once.

Message Edited by Barracuda on 01-04-2008 04:58 PM

[Anonymous]

Not all banks credit that money to your account prior to the conclusion of the investigation. Also, as has been mentioned you are losing out on rewards you would get otherwise. With the right card, those things you mentioned may get you as much as several hundred dollars cash back in a year.

An additional inconvenience with debit cards is that they require you to keep a lot of money in your checking account. I prefer to keep my money in savings accounts with good interest rates and transfer money to my checking when I pay my bills.

[Anonymous]

I feel that a debit card is just another form of money to carry around, like a check. Personally cause years ago I was denied a debit/credit atm card I don't have one...but I can see both sides of the arguement.

For those who have problems controlling their money, I can see where I would recommend one though.

[Anonymous]

I personally love my debit card, and there is no need for explanation...but that is the beauty of opinions...everyone is entitled. You can not please everyone, I guess.

[Anonymous]

Debit cards require you to have the cash in the account to pay for it.

If you have the cash, you can have at least one credit card that you PIF every month. So in lieu of debit, you charge it to that card. If you can't control your spending.. well, you better learn. Not having self control over your money is a serious problem that should be dealt with.

Again, it may have the same protection, but you may still get bounced checks and other problems from having your account drained. And boy is that going to make you look like a loser when a check you wrote bounces (My parents run a business, if someone gives them a bad check, that is the LAST time they can order anything from my parents. They've heard enough BS from people where "oh, my debit card got stolen" would be passed off as just another lie).

I honestly don't see any value in having a debit card (unless you CAN'T get a credit card, which is a minority of people). If you can't control your spending on credit, then get some help, it WILL help you in the long run (and besides, when you run out of money on your debit card, what's going to stop you from racking up spending you can't afford?).

And NEVER NEVER do a PIN transaction with a debit card! If you get your pin stolen too, then it's even harder to dispute a charge made w/ your pin.

[Anonymous]

I opened my current checking account in July-

I have yet to use my debit card-

I was in my CU the other day and set my PIN while I was there-

Who was the idiot that thought 4 digits was good enough for a PIN anyways?

[Anonymous]

OP is correct in most statements and conclusions. I do use my debit card. It is tied to a checking account in another state, a small county bank that I've done business with for 25+ years. There are no ATMs I can use here without paying a fee. So I get cashback from my grocery purchases with no fee. When I travel & need cash, debit to the rescue. Like nearly everything else, it's a calculated risk.

[marty56]

I have used my denot card as my primary metod of payment for over 4 years and while I was in the DMP, it was my only option (except for my gas card).

I had 0 problems, helped keep me on budget and broke me of the habit of getting into debt.

Now when I use any credit card, I first think about the effect on my FICO score, when I can PIF and do I really need to buy the item.  My Visa card all watches my debit card's back in case of an emergency.