Debit card # 3 in 2 years, Some Info to share for all.

also airline boarding passes, people throw them out and all your information is in the barcode thingy.
I never use my debit card anymore, I have 2 cards I use for everything and wind up with 2 free vacations every year.
Wife figured out how to maximize the points and beat them at their own game, along with free fuel and gift cards.

 

Why do you use a debit card as opposed to a credit card? We have a credit card from our local credit union. If there’s a problem we can go to the branch and they are very helpful.

 

I use my debit card a lot, but if purchasing anything online or over the phone, the credit card comes out.

I've thought about putting my groceries on the card as well, as the points add up after a while.

Currently I use the DC for groceries.

 

And 99 lbs has wanted me to get a debit card for years......no thanks!

 

I've had a DC for somewhere in the neighborhood of 24 years now.

Only had 2 issues with it.

1.. Never reserve or put a hotel room on it!!!

Didn't know it at the time but the hotel will put another nights hold on the acct.

Kinda sucks when ya get stuck in Cleveland with no money available because of a hold.

Had to call the boss and get money wired to me.

2.. Never let a store run it more than once.

Had this happen as well. Girl thought she was making mistakes, ran it through like 6 times.


Had to get that one squared away with the store manager the following day.

 

If I were to lose my wallet, or get robbed, the biggest hassle for me would be..
1.. Dealing with the DMV over my drivers license.
2.. Dealing with Social Security to have a new card issued.
(Still have my original card after all these years.)

I'd lose some personal stuff, but the DC and CC would be cancelled and reissued ASAP.

 

I never use my DC for anything but withdrawals. From my own bank if I can help it. I use my CC's for everything else. One gives me 3% back on all online purchases, and the other 3% for all restaurants. I entertain a lot of customers, so that adds up.

I'd much rather have to shut a card down because it was compromised than go to pay my mortgage and find that my account was wiped out. Granted, they will reimburse you, but you dont have that cash until they do.

 

Thanks for sharing Dave

There was a BIG scam going on at a local Riggins gas station sometime last year, where supposedly the attendant was taking the card in the booth, making a call and giving the card # away to someone on the other end. I rarely use the debit to make purchases, just to withdraw $$. I usually put it all on the card and play their little game of earning points. I've yet to get into trouble with it and pay off the balance each month.

 

I do have a B of A debit card as that is what BoA uses for ATM access and ATM access is all I use that debit card for.
There are just far too many risks assumed by the user with debit cards.

There was a time Cash was King, but that time is long gone. Too many perks on card s that are lost these days if you don't take advantage of them. You do have to possess the maturity to use a CC wisely. Play the game and play it well.
After a mortgage and a car payment ( if you haven't worked on eliminating those ) you easily spend 6-10,000 a year on "stuff" , heck some of us spend that much just on groceries easily , 5% on 10K is $500. That's $500 you'd throw away by using cash. What's in your wallet ? Earned perks or an empty hole ?


BTW, Target sells their Target gift cards one day of the year (this last Sunday) at a 10% discount. We usually stock up and use them at Target throughout the year. Paid for with a Discover card that gives 5% at Target back in the fourth quarter. WE don't buy a lot at Target as it isn't the cheapest place in town but we often do buy some things when they are on sale.

 

On my recent trip, I topped off just before entering NJ. It lasted until I got home.

 

I use my credit card for everything I can. Debit card pretty much only gets used at credit union ATMs and one grocery store that doesn't take credit cards.
If somebody gets ahold of my credit card info, they're taking the bank's money.
If they get ahold of my debit card, they're taking MY money.

 

Yes, Dec 08
They don't advertise it a lot.
I think I saw it in the flier the week before and/or on slickdeals or dealnews
I might have gotten a reminder on the Target app too. I do pretty good ignoring ads so I know It blasted me someplace.

 

Interesting. My card number on the back is not raised or indented, so this wouldn't work with my banks card.

 

The only card I have that is embossed is my BofA debit/atm card.
I don't have an unchipped card any more either.

 

I’ve also never had one.
Never liked the idea of someone draining my account if I lost the card.
Cash back , extended warranty , and car rental protect are all pluses for using credit.