8 Places Not to Use Your Debit Card in ...

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I know, I know, ordering stuff online is such a good idea, but by using it on the internet, you are putting yourself in a vulnerable spot. I use PayPal to pay for my purchases online and I suggest you start looking into this option as well. PayPal has this option where you can get a card number that can be used only once. Generating a card number is pretty neat and safe!

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When it comes to a big ticket item, using a credit card would be much safer than using a debit card. Credit card companies allow you to dispute if something goes wrong with the purchase or the merchandise. With a debit card, you do not have as much protection. Some cards are also offering extended warranties.

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It goes without saying that if you don't have enough money, don't use your card. Always know how much funds you have available and yes, remember to include payments that haven't gone through yet so there are no nasty surprises. Or before you know it, the money you've been trying to save will disappear!

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Do you use your debit card at the restaurant? With all of those people around you? That can equal disaster, if the right (or should I say wrong) person is standing near you and you're busy withyour date. We hear many cases of debit card information being stolen in a restaurant. Restaurants are also one of those places where you actually let the card leave your sight when you use them.

Photo Credit: Andres Rueda

In the real world or in an online store, if you are the first time customer in any store, then for the first couple of times, it would be a good idea to skip the debit card usage. This way, you are going to get a feel of how the business runs and how you are treated. You will also get a feel of the quality of the merchandise before you hand over the card that is linked to your checking account.

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What is wrong with this picture? Buying the item now and taking the delivery weeks from now? It could be something you are familiar with and have trust in, but you never know when something is going to go wrong. Some cards limit protection to a certain time period and it is best to settle any problem as soon as the card is charged.

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Do you think it is a good idea to have recurring payments hooked to your debit card? We have all heard about the gym that would not stop sending bills to the ex-member’s debit card. Imagine if they same happened to you. Forget to deduct that automatic payment in your checkbook and you could face fees.

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Criminals have gotten pretty good at skimming. Take a look at the ATM machine. Does it look a bit off to you? Does the reader line up with the machine like it should? If something looks off to you, then it would be a good idea to skip it and put that debit card back in your wallet.

Sometimes, just using your personal judgment on where you should not use your personal debit card would be good enough. These are eight places from our own glossary that you should not use personal debit cards. Can you think of someplace else?

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