It doesn't make much difference which option you pick since the money will be coming from the same place (your checking account), and both options are secure. You may also be able to pay your bills using a prepaid debit card.
Payments with a debit card are taken instantly from your checking account and shopping online comes with the added risk that your information may be stolen. Using a debit card opens up the possibility that the thief will gain access to the funds in your checking account.
One of the best benefits of autopaying your bills with your debit card is that you have a more accurate, real-time picture of your financial standing. With credit, you can always tell yourself you have more money than you actually do — but that money comes due, with interest.
While every type of payment method has some disadvantages, debit cards are probably the riskiest form of payment. Debit cards do offer the convenience of a card, since you don't have to carry cash around or write a check, but the funds you use are actually tied to your bank account.
A debit card is not a checking account but a card issued by a bank or credit union that is attached to a deposit account. You can use debit cards to pay for purchases and services in person or online, make ATM withdrawals or transfer money. Checking accounts are deposit accounts intended for everyday use.
Using a debit card may prevent you from making large, impulse purchases that you can't afford. They don't charge interest. Since debit card payments take money out of your account right away, you don't accumulate a balance that you have to pay interest on. This is a key difference between a credit card and debit card.
Can you have a debit card without a checking account? Yes. If you do not have access to a bank account, whether it be due to identity theft recovery or otherwise, pre-paid debit cards can be a great alternative. Pre-paid debit cards need to be loaded with money, and you can buy one at a local store or online††.
1. Credit cards. The most familiar form of online payment is also one of the most secure payment methods. Credit card transactions are encrypted, which means the details are jumbled up and encoded.
Variable Expenses
Utility bills and other expenses that change from month to month and season to season can lead to unpleasant surprises if you set and forget them. "Bills that fluctuate aren't good fits for autopay, such as your electric or water bill," said Bethany Hickey, banking and lending expert at Finder.
Though debit cards don't have annual fees, you may pay other fees to have a checking account. Those can include monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees if you overspend from your account, returned-item fees, and foreign ATM fees if you use your debit card at another bank or financial institution's machine.
In general, sending money via ACH is more secure than other methods. As a result of the ACH Network being fully automated, all banking information must be verified and authorized before the transaction can be processed. They must also abide by the Operating Rules.
Avoid public networks. Public internet networks at coffee shops, airports, and other public places may be where account hackers place devices that can intercept your debit card information if you go online to make a transaction. Use a strong password. Creating a complex password helps further secure your debit card.
Some ATMs will charge withdrawal fees, and if you use more than the agreed overdraft limit then the fees tend to be much greater than those incurred by credit card usage. Another disadvantage of debit cards is the fact that they have limited funds, which can slow down business.
Debit card payment protection
You don't get protection from Section 75 if you buy goods on a debit card – this is because they are not part of a credit agreement. However, you might be able to make a claim for a refund under Chargeback, which we cover in a section below.
It can be more secure than paying bills with a check, as your information is typically encrypted when you enter it online.
The stakes of becoming a victim of fraud are especially high for debit card users because your bank account is directly linked. A fraudster could quickly drain your bank account with fraudulent purchases before you even realize your debit card number has been compromised.
When you shop online with a checking account, you benefit from the safety and security measures provided by your bank, credit union or financial institution. These services often include fraud detection, account alerts, and the ability to freeze your debit card if it's lost or stolen.
While debit cards and cash offer consumers limited benefits, using a credit card can help protect you against purchases that go awry. A credit card is guarded from fraudulent activity and some offer benefits like travel insurance and return protection.
Debit cards are as vulnerable to theft as credit cards and offer limited fraud protection. Depending on how soon you report the fraud, you could be responsible for up to $50 in unauthorized transactions – or the full amount. Learn about debit card fraud protection and what you can do to minimize your liability.
Credit Card Payment
Credit cards are the most commonly used payment method in eCommerce. Since credit cards are easy and mostly safe to use, the high popularity of using them in online purchases is no surprise.
Remember: Your debit card is linked to your checking account. So when you use your debit card to pay for something, you're using money you already have. And funds are deducted directly from your bank account. If you have enough money in your account when you use your debit card for a purchase, you should be good to go.
Debit and credit cards both allow cardholders to obtain cash and make purchases. Debit cards are linked to the user's bank account and limited by how much money is in there.
While having just an account number likely isn't enough for thieves to drain that account, the combination of account number and routing number can lead to some less-than-desirable outcomes, such as fraudulent payments, the creation of checks for your account, and possibly online shopping with retailers that only ...