Credit card ?

[OneSickPsycho]

Originally Posted by shmike

You originally said bank card so I was thinking ATM/Debit card. Mortgage and car payments probably aren't going to allow for a cc though.

The visible benefits are cash back/points/building stronger credit, etc. My biggest reason for always using credit is theft protection. If someone racks up a bunch of charges on your credit card, your life is not interrupted as you get things straightened out.

If someone gets hold of your bank/atm card, they can wipe you out, especially if you don't keep a large balance in the account. Banks are usually pretty helpful and any VISA/MC branded card has the same fraud coverage as most CC's but it can take weeks to undo the damage. Meanwhile, you still have bills to be paid and checks that will be cashed, whether there is money in the account or not.

Exactly. I cringe every time I see someone using their debit card... Had mine stolen twice, huge PITA.. Same thing happens with the CC, get a new one in two days and all is well with the world again...