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Originally Posted by VirFighter
Using your debit card online is generally not a good practice. In fact, you really shouldn't use your debit card at any establishment where it leaves your line of site. My "debit card" never leaves my wallet except when its being inserted into an ATM. Most people's debit cards are tied directly to their checking accounts. If someone gets their hands on your information, they can clean out your account. Yes, odds are you will get your money back from the bank, but you are without your money for X period of time.
If someone gets your credit card information then yes it sucks, but they aren't taking your money, they are taking the credit company's money.
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Most debit cards come with the same security protections as a credit card. The debit card I carry is guaranteed by MasterCard--if a purchase shows up that I didn't make, I call MC and they take it off.
In the past when transactions have seemed "out of the ordinary" on my debit card, the card has been shut down. For instance, I once traveled to Canada for a couple of days. On my way back to the US, my debit card would not work anywhere. I called the card company and they said that they had shut it down thinking it wasn't me in Canada. If I suddenly started making large purchases, I have no doubt that they would know it wasn't me. I'm a nickel and dime kind of girl.
They would also have to get their hands on my PIN in order to get any information about my checking account, or to access an ATM.
So no, I don't worry about the security of my debit card. I've been using one for over six years now and haven't had any problems yet, and the card companies seem to be on the ball about watching my transactions.