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Which is safer? ATM card or Credit Card ?
Fri, 11/12/2010 - 2:23pm
In the last few months both mine and the little-lady's ATM cards have been "skimmed" and used in the middle of the night to make thousands of dollars of purchases from gas-stations, etc. It's not that big of a deal because either the bank contacts us as soon as they detect the fraudulent activity, or we call the bank when we see the transactions on our account - either way, the bank reverses the charges. It's obvious that some place nearby is using a ATM card-skimmer or something, but there isnt much we can do, and the bank doesnt seem to worried about it.
Our biggest worry is that we'll get hit again, not notice and start bouncing checks so we are wondering if it is any safer to use a credit card for our small purchases instead of our ATM cards.. Does anyone know if using a credit-card is any safer than an ATM card, or, if it is a bigger-hassle to dispute charges on a credit-card than it is with our ATM cards (which, has been very hassle-free so far) ??
Maybe we should just go off-the-grid and pay for everything with cash like 10 years ago, in the olden-days..
Tips or advice from anyone that has gone through this, or from anyone that has a friend that steals ATM card info?
Sat, 11/13/2010 - 2:27pm
#2
Zoo Keeper
I am working my program
from a sunny little valley.
Re: Which is safer? ATM card or Credit Card ?
Mr/.Pants's credit card got skimmed recently at a gas station. Apparently someone had installed some sortof device on the machine that read his information when he swiped the card. The bank caught the fraudulent charges before we even knew what had happened. About a wek later his department was notified that there was a skimmer found at the gas station. We are assuming that is how they got the information so really it doesn't matter which card if the information is being skimmed in this manner. I would use credit cards versus AM just for the reason you stated...better to fight with a credit card over money that wasn't yours in the first place than to have to fight to get back money that is yours...JMO...
Sat, 11/13/2010 - 12:45pm
#4
animestrinity
I am new here at GrownUpGeek.Com
from On my own planet... keep off... no visitors.
Re: Which is safer? ATM card or Credit Card ?
I thought ATM skimmers were only on ATM machines.
I would imagine that if your bank doesn't care, then stick with the ATM card, no reason to test customer service that you're not familiar with... or switch to cash (and don't get it from the ATM??)
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Sat, 11/13/2010 - 10:50am
#5
Re: Which is safer? ATM card or Credit Card ?
Neither is safe, cash is safer and even cash can be stolen. Pick your poison.
Sat, 11/13/2010 - 3:00am
#6
stxr
I am A Human
from Land
Re: Which is safer? ATM card or Credit Card ?
I only have dealt with Capital One credit cards. Their customer service is excellent. Once my wallet was stolen and someone purchased thousands of dollars in air line tickets, booze, etc. and they got it all straightened out in less than an hour.
Rather than an ATM or Credit card, have you considered a pre-paid debit card? Just keep $50 or less in it (again, Capital One's debit cards don't drain if you don't use them) and that way if someone steals the card and tries to physically use it, the cashier might hold them there until the police arrive. If they DO get caught, PLEASE press charges. 
I don't use my debit card because I remember reading that it is more like cash (hence the PIN) and is more difficult to get charges turned around.
Because of the increase in online credit card fraud, many card companies have implemented software that learns your spending habits. Until you've developed a history, it will err on the side of safety and will "flag" your account when it is triggered by certain purchase patterns, large or multiple Internet purchases. You will get a phone call to verify purchases and in some cases, will decline the charge until they hear from you to say that you made the charge. They say this is for YOUR protection, but they are really trying to save themselves time to have someone correct fraudulent charges.