Comment by lxgr

19 hours ago

Except that you have strong statutory rights and commercial agreements between your bank and the card networks making it very likely that you’ll be made whole.

3 comments

lxgr

Johnny555 1 hour ago

Eventually you'll probably be made whole (unless the bank isn't one of the ones that waives your $50/$500 liability). But usually they won't return your money until after they resolve the dispute so your account is still missing the disputed money which could make you bounce checks or be unable to use your debit card until the dispute is resolved.

dqv 8 hours ago

> likely

> will

Which is why the credit card is still the better option. Especially given that the max liability on a credit card is always $50 if caught within the first 60 days, while the max liability on a debit card is $50 only if caught within the first two days, then up to $500 if reported after up to 60 days.

They may post a provisional credit when I report the fraud on the debit card or they can wait up to 10 days to do so. With a credit card, no money has left my account and I get the final say on whether I want to part ways with my real money. If the bank really wants to fuck me over by saying it's not fraud, I get to make it as unprofitable as possible for them, which includes forcing them to sue me if they really want the money.

I will take the ding to my credit report and a lawsuit over actual money taken directly out of my account any day.

lxgr 7 hours ago

> while the max liability on a debit card is $50 only if caught within the first two days
Within two days of learning of the fraudulent use or the loss of an "access device" (i.e. a card). Otherwise you have 60 days from the statement date as well.
> I will take the ding to my credit report and a lawsuit over actual money taken directly out of my account any day.
That's definitely true for many people, but probably not for many others, e.g. anyone wanting to buy a house or even rent an apartment.