We know it’s supposed to be fast and just like cash, but it’s got risks. We’ve gone pretty much cashless. Just a few years ago, credit card transactions had minimum limits, and now, using a credit card to pay for just a bottle of water or iced coffee is the norm.
How you swipe that plastic, though, makes a big difference in how you are protected from your neighborhood cyberthief.
If you enter your PIN when you run a debit card transaction, STOP! Run the card as credit. Not only will you not have to enter the PIN, but you’ll also almost always get more anti-fraud protection should you have a problem with a purchase or if the card number is hacked. In addition, always use the card as credit when shopping online, out of town on vacation or business, or when making large purchases.
Running your transaction through the credit card network instead of the bank network offers these additional protections – plus, it’s faster!
