I'm appropriately wary of infections and phishing attempts, and am very computer-aware, have a hardware firewall on my broadband service in addition to a software firewall, antivirus, antispamware, and I don't use IE for browsing. For online purchases I use a CitiBank card that carries a virtual account number feature. A cardnumber was stolen once at an online site, but it was a virtual number so the transaction for it had already been run and the perps couldn't get any success with the number. Quoted from http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre04.shtm: ATM or Debit Card Loss or Fraudulent Transfers (EFTA). Your liability under [U.S.] federal law for unauthorized use of your ATM or debit card depends on how quickly you report the loss. If you report an ATM or debit card missing before it's used without your permission, the EFTA says the card issuer cannot hold you responsible for any unauthorized transfers. If unauthorized use occurs before you report it, your liability under federal law depends on how quickly you report the loss. For example, if you report the loss within two business days after you realize your card is missing, you will not be responsible for more than $50 for unauthorized use. However, if you don't report the loss within two business days after you discover the loss, you could lose up to $500 because of an unauthorized transfer. You also risk unlimited loss if you fail to report an unauthorized transfer within 60 days after your bank statement containing unauthorized use is mailed to you. That means you could lose all the money in your bank account and the unused portion of your line of credit established for overdrafts. However, for unauthorized transfers involving only your debit card number (not the loss of the card), you are liable only for transfers that occur after 60 days following the mailing of your bank statement containing the unauthorized use and before you report the loss. If unauthorized transfers show up on your bank statement, report them to the card issuer as quickly as possible. Once you've reported the loss of your ATM or debit card, you cannot be held liable for additional unauthorized transfers that occur after that time.

zone_8grandma wrote: dreamgarden, I wasn't singleing out the OP when I said that. I've gone back and re-read all of the posts and a number of them simply display a lack of knowledge about debit cards. I understand. My point was that the OP's bank is making it difficult for the OP to get an ATM card. She specifically stated that she did NOT want a debit card and that is what they gave her anyway. I stated the reasons why they might do this. Frankly, I would prefer to lose what cash I have in my wallet then lose a debit card. This is why. "Consumers should understand, however, that while their credit card fraud liability is low by law, their debit card liability can be much higher, according to law, despite the bank's revocable promises of zero liability. Plus, it is your own money, stolen from your own checking account, that you're fighting with the bank to get back. Our best advice-- never use debit cards-- either online or in person, at big merchants or small. While many of these breaches may occur at small merchants, just one breach at a big merchant, TJX Marshalls, resulted in the loss of 45 million debit and credit card numbers. It isn't worth the risk." Posted by Ed Mierzwinski/U.S. PIRG at September 22, 2007 Links that may be useful: ATM/Debit Cards: What consumers need to know about greater fraud risk, card blocking, and debit card fees www.pirg.org/consumer/banks/debit/debitcards1.htm Electronic Fund Transfers www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/consumerhdbk/electronic.htm#loss

One thing to know about debit cards...you cannot put a stop payment on a transaction. You must dispute it and wait. I had a legitimate reason to stop payment on a transaction, but found I could not because it was on my debit card. I was told by the bank that it's essentially like cash when it comes to payment. Whenever we need to purchase a big ticket item, or have a repair done, we use our credit cards...gives us some protection, and in some cases, the CC covers a longer warranty. I use checks very, very infrequently. Debit or credit cards almost exclusively. And every one of our household bills is done with on-line bill pay. I set up regular recurring payments (mtg, car insurance, etc) and for variable payments, I can set the amount I want to pay. Even for places (like the garbage co) that don't have electronic payment option, my bank sends them a check, but immediately deducts the payment from my account as if it were an electronic payment. I absolutely love it. No paper, no stamps, no finding a mail box, no late fees, and a permanent record of what was paid where all on my computer screen. My mother actually turned me on to it! I quit writing checks to stores when I got the 3rd degree after writing a check. Needed ID, managers approval, yada yada. But swipe my plastic and no problemo. Honestly, it'd be easier for an identity thief to clean you out with plastic than a check, but the stores act like you're a criminal for writing a check (unless you're white haired, barely reach the counter and take 13 minutes to complete your transaction )

I use my debit card free of charge all the time, rarely have cash. It is convenient for keeping track of expenses. As long as you switch to "credit" and don't use your pin, you're pretty safe unless someone has stolen the actual card. Twice my credit union has called when they suspected odd activity, but it was me both times. They are on the ball because consumer liability is generally limited to only $50. When I was using checks to pay bills, a clerk wrote down my CU routing number and account information and had a great time buying things with my money. The bank was on top of that one, too, and though thousands of dollars was spent, I lost nothing. You have to pay attention, but they are very safe. Imo. Read the link below. Here is a link that might be useful: debit card safety