It's not ignorance at all. If you have a weird charge on a debit card and the bank moves slowly or you have any problems with your dispute, you're out the cash until you get a resolution.

On a CC if you have a problem with a dispute you can let it sit there while they muck it out, and not be put out.

I agree with you that its simple: all my CC fraud claims (maybe 2 or 3 in 20 years) have been handled in less than 10 minutes, which is great.

I assure you that my "rinky dink" CU is not monitoring this stuff :D. It's been years since I worked for two of the largest mega-banks in the US....maybe it's changed recently (doubtful) but ditto for them too...

I just don't live "that close" with my $ that it's an issue...

Here's the REAL reason I despise CCs....it's the "margins" that are skimmed off of every transaction with a CC verses a Debit card. They (the CC/Debit providers and the banks) don't make squat off of Debit usage compared to the 4% (at least that's what it used to be) for a CC swipe. That's a HUGE cost that is simply passed on to every consumer purchase....YMMV. Nuthin' is "free"....I absolutely "live" via my debit and the "cash back" (out of my checking acct.) that I use as pocket money. Never been an issue....

ps: I cancelled my CC (held for 15 years) several years ago when they decided they were no longer gonna provide typical CC protection (bogus product, etc.) for Internet purchases or physical transactions outside of a 75 mile radius of my mailing address....idiots :p

KC, it probably depends on the bank. I work for one of the largest and we handle all fraud and claims. The smaller banks probably don't. Once digital wallet is common, many of these problems will be solved, but I'm sure there will be a whole history of new ones that crop up.

Your bank should be able to instantly issue you a temporary card at any of its branches. ...http://lifehealthus.com/image/images/28.gif

Are you a bad customer at restaurants?!

I never give my credit card to anyone... At a restaurant I insist I swipe or insert it into the EFTPOS machine myself and use a PIN not a signature.
I always get a receipt and check my accounts at least once a day.

Online... Only PayPal which means I won't buy from a non PayPal site. And I keep it's use to a minimum.

Painting over the verification code is probably the best idea in this thread.

I use me debit card 20 times a week on average. I use my credit card for all on-line transactions. I pay off the CC every month.

Before my recent trip to California and back I called my credit union and my CC company and told them I would be driving out and back and there were zero problems.

I have had my CC number used once and the CC company caught it, They called me to confirm I did not just fly to Italy to buy Scuba equipment. I confirmed I was still here in Oklahoma with no need of scuba gear.

The Debit card has been stolen twice. Both times I was issued a full refund and got a new card right away. The biggest pain about getting my CC account stolen is for the automatic bill pay on some items. I have to call those companies and tell them the new CC number to bill.

The fraud detection for my CC is pretty amazing. I am the treasurer for our local PCA region. We had a Christmas party dinner and after everything is done I get to pay the bill. Few if any restaurants will accept a check for 50 people eating at a fancy Christmas party on the 50th story. The bill was well over two grand and my credit card when right through. I am sure one reason it went through was the room reservation fee and a down payment had been charged earlier in the year to the same company.