Did you know there are some places where your bank account won’t be protected? Today we normally pay by debit card because it’s much easier, but this could be a mistake. Some places seem to be safe, but they aren’t and your money will be at risk.
That’s why we are going to tell you five places where it’s better not to use your debit card, but a safer option like a credit card. So if you want to know how to protect your bank account, keep reading.
1. Gas stations and convenience stores
I’m sure you have seen someone paying for gasoline by card, which seems normal. However, gas stations are the favorite place for fraudsters to put skimmers, small devices that are hidden to copy the information on your card.
The FBI says this type of fraud costs consumers and banks more than $1 billion every year. The worst part? if they take your debit card data, they can empty your bank account within minutes and take it back could last weeks.
The safest way to avoid this situation is to pay by credit card, which even gives you 3% or 5% rewards on gasoline. Not bad, right?
2. Travel bookings
When you pay for a flight, a hotel room or rent a car with a credit card, you receive benefits you wouldn’t have when paying with a debit card. For example, travel insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, extended warranties, car rental coverage, reward points, and even airport lounge access.
Some credit cards even pay TSA PreCheck. With just one travel booking could save you hundreds of dollars in benefits. So, if you use a debit card, you wouldn’t see any of these advantages on your bank account.
3. Online shopping
The Internet is full of opportunities, but also scams. Even big stores can be hacked, so if you use a debit card and hackers steal your data, the money will immediately disappear from your bank account. And while the bank investigates the situation, you could be left with no access to your own money (if you have any).
However, with credit cards you can dispute fraudulent charges and keep using your bank account with no issue. Some cards even offer virtual numbers to shop online in a safer way.
4. High-value items
Picture this: You buy things like a new mobile phone with your debit card and after three months the mobile phone breaks. That would be bad luck, right? But, if you would have paid by credit card, most of the time warrants could be a year longer or include protection against damages or thefts.
5. Bars and restaurants
Here, thieves can copy the data of your debit card and, once again, the money on your bank account will immediately disappear. However, with a credit card you can detect the fraud and block the card.
Protect your bank account
Your debit card can be super handy, but it is not always the safest choice. Now that you know the five places where it can put your bank account at risk, you can be more careful about when and where to use it.
Think of your bank account as something that deserves extra protection. By using a credit card in riskier situations (like gas stations, online shopping, or travel bookings) you are keeping your money safer and giving yourself more benefits at the same time.
In the end, it’s not about avoiding your debit card completely, but about being smart with it. Protect your bank account, and you will protect your future. Will you start using your credit card in these places or not?