'Credit or Debit?' Purchase Differences to Know So You Master the Checkout
Have you ever been at a store register to pay for something, handed the clerk your debit card, and been asked, "Debit or credit?"
Though the card you provided may be easily distinguishable, you are still given an option in how you prefer the charge from your bank card to be processed.
Whichever you pick, funds will be directly taken out from your account, but the way you verify your identity will change, and so will the speed at which your payment is deducted from your account.
"Enter Your PIN"
When you use your bank card as a debit card, you will be asked to enter your personal identity number (PIN) and your funds will go through the PIN networks (Star, Purse, or Interlink). Your funds will be deducted from your account immediately.
Select "Credit"
If you select credit, you will be asked to verify the transaction with your signature, and your funds may not instantly be removed from your account. It all depends on how the merchant processes credit card transactions. Many stores often do what is called "batching," running all credit transactions at the end of the day. Once the batching is finished, it takes a day or two for the credit transaction to process.
Rules for Rewards
Depending on your bank and the account, the rules for earning rewards will require when your card purchase goes through as "debit" or "credit."
Be sure that you confirm the right transaction type to select at checkout or you'll miss out on those rewards.
Cash Back Option With Your Debit Card
If you're looking to get cash back with your purchase, you can only do so by selecting the "debit" option.
This is a way for consumers to get cash from their debit card during the checkout process at a merchant. The amount is added on to your purchase and you receive the cash.
Card Processing Fees for Merchants
If you're shopping at a local mom-and-pop store, select "debit" as a courtesy to them -- merchants are charged a fee for card transactions run as credit.
Protection
Both options cover you under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, which provides protection to both signature-based and PIN-based debit transactions.
If you lose your debit card and call your issuer within two days, you'll only be liable to pay $50 of fraudulent charges. If you call within 60 days, you're liable for up to $500, and after that point, you could be liable for all the purchases.
Which do you choose when you're at the checkout?
Related Stories:
Debit vs. Credit Card: Which is Safer to Use?
