Debit card PIN saved me a hassle

[robertpri]

Drove to gas station, used DC, entered PIN and got gas. I had a long list of “to-does” and focused on them. Drove to grocery store and reached for my DC. Not in my pocket. After a few minutes of searching, returned to gas station and my DC was still in the slot. WHEW…!

Got home and received four alerts from bank. One was mine, and three were warning alerts that my DC was rejected due to wrong PIN.

They were barely a minute apart. So somebody saw my DC in the slot and tried three times to charge gas. All failed.

Yes, I know this is an endless debate here, but had it been my CC, they would have charged their gas, and Lord knows how many other charges.

That’s why I NEVER carry a CC since the bank refuses to allow a PIN.

[robertpri]

@ratbert2k

If you’d used tap-to-pay

Safety wise, that is the most dangerous feature of a CC/DC. Anyone can use it.

[robertpri]

@ratbert2k

card that doesn’t require a PIN

That is my primary issue: banks won’t disable the tap feature or allow a PIN.

My search on this never ending topic claims bank don’t want PIN’s because impatient users might prefer another card with tap. Which does not explain why DC’s can have PINs.

[robertpri]

@ratbert2k

PIN and tapping are entirely separate issues.

Precisely.

@ratbert2k

Security from high to low:

1. cards that require a PIN.
2. cards that don’t.

Not having a PIN seems to be my own personal pet peeve, so I’ll try to not mention it again.

[robertpri]

@ratbert2k

I’ll take that to mean that there is no logical explanation of why tapping is any less secure than swiping or other means of reading a card.

My OP was about DC’s using PINs, but not with CC’s. With all due respect, you brought tapping and swiping into the thread, which is not my issue. I don’t like the tap feature but that’s a separate issue

@ratbert2k

Security from high to low:

1. cards that require a PIN.
2. cards that don’t.

@ratbert2k

. If you don’t want to sound like a nut job when you talk to your bank

Wanting more CC security makes me a nut job?

[billinin]

@robertpri

Drove to gas station, used DC, entered PIN and got gas. I had a long list of “to-does” and focused on them. Drove to grocery store and reached for my DC. Not in my pocket. After a few minutes of searching, returned to gas station and my DC was still in the slot. WHEW…!

The station needs to software update or replace the pump. Like a modern ATM you should not have been able to continue the transaction, i.e. pump gas until the card was removed. That pump may not conform to their financial institution’s rules. Hence they could be held liable for losses.

[robertpri]

@billinin

. Like a modern ATM you should not have been able to continue the transaction,

Exactly right. But it was still my fault. I gotta pay more attention.

[robertpri]

@ratbert2k

it’s the lack of PIN that you really care about.

Yes! How many times must I say this? I complain about the tap feature only because you brought it up.

@ratbert2k

If you’d used tap-to-pay, you’d never have left your card in the slot.

[ratbert2k]

@robertpri

I complain about the tap feature only because you brought it up.

You brought it up here the other day, then ran back to the PIN issue when I asked you to explain how tapping is worse than other options. The only logical conclusion is that your disdain for tapping is irrational.

[robertpri]

@ratbert2k

The only logical conclusion is that your disdain for tapping is irrational.

Nut job and irrational??? I regret starting the thread.

[robertpri]

So’s being described as irrational and a nut job.

In a reply to Billinin above I admitted it was my fault. Okay?

[butler]

@ratbert2k

But complaining about tap-to-pay being a security risk makes you look like one, when it’s the lack of PIN that you really care about.

Tap-to-pay is probably the most secure because there is a one-time transaction code generated between the phone and the receiver.

[Angela_45]

Thank you for providing me with this valuable information. It’s incredibly helpful and greatly appreciated.

[butler]

@ratbert2k

I think we’re talking about tapping a card on a reader, not tapping a cell phone. Tapping a card on a reader doesn’t generate a one-time code as far as I know.

Alrighty then…carry on…

[Joe_Black_Sr]

The difference is in the card itself. A CC has Federal Protection if you report unauthorized use within 30 or 60 days, I forget which. The max you can be legally liable for is $50, or it used to be. Nothing comes out of your bank account until you say so. There is no such protection for DCs! It’s a direct link to your bank account. If they did get your PIN from a card reader or visually, some places it’s not needed, they get could drain your whole bank account, especially dangerous if you have Overdraft Protection. The banks are not legally required to replace the money, though some say they will, but you may not get as fast or as easily as you think or need. There are conditions to getting it back. You better know them. Yes, it’s easier to use another’s CC, but could be more costly if they do use your DC. That’s the difference. I canceled my DC and sleep better for it. CCs s/b welcome anywhere s CC is. Why carry something that is a direct link to your bank account? Just like direct ACH payments from your bank, it’s a two way street. They can go into your account and take money they think you may owe and it’s up to you to get it back. Good luck!