4 Things NEVER to Put on Your Debit Card

A credit card has advantages over using a debit card. Of course, one is that if you have a “rewards” card, you accumulate points for future use.  Another is that it’s easier to dispute a credit card charge and have it removed from your bill, versus a debit card where the money is withdrawn from your account.

However, I recently read an article where the author stated that there are five things you should NEVER put on your debit card.


Here they are:

1.     Online Purchases: There is a huge potential for fraud with both debit and credit cards.   While banks usually offer $50 card protection with both debit and credit cards, using a debit card could leave you with no cash in your account until the fraud issues are resolved with your bank.  If the same issue happens with a credit card, a new one can usually be mailed to you overnight, which doesn’t always happen if your debit card is compromised.


2.     Hotels:  Hotels usually place a “hold” on your debit card of $100 to $200 for “incidentals.”  Sometimes it’s applied to the payment of your hotel room, even if you initially reserved it with a credit card.  You may have the same problem using your debit card for gas purchases which may result in overdraft fees.

3.     Large Purchases:  Let’s say you bought a $1,500 TV using your debit card.  You took it home and found the TV to be defective. You may be forced to wait until the matter is resolved with the merchant before you get your money refunded.  To make matters worse, if the problem can’t be resolved between you and the merchant, you may be stuck with the defective item.

4.     Unfamiliar Places:  Never use a debit card at an establishment that looks or seems questionable.  This also includes ATMs that look strange or are hidden in obscure places.

Convenience of use is why most of us use our debit card, but try to remember to avoid using it for the above purchases… it may spare you a great deal of inconvenience!