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debit cards

   

Bank of America Ends Some Overdraft Fees

by Flexo on March 10, 2010. Credit 3 comments.

Last year, Smithee reported that Bank of America was the first major bank to allow customers to opt out of overdraft protection and the associated fees. Those customers who opted out of overdraft protection would have their card rejected when attempting to make a purchase without the funds available. Thanks to these changes as well as ... Continue reading this article…

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Senator Dodd Going Ahead With Overdraft Legislation

by Smithee on October 20, 2009. Banking 7 comments.

We told you last month about banks deciding to let customers opt out of overdraft fees, first announced by Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase, and then the next day by Wells Fargo (and Wachovia, which it owns). These big banks made the changes very soon after lawmakers announced an intention to try to regulate ... Continue reading this article…

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Cash Back Rebates Now Take the Form of Prepaid Debit Cards

by Flexo on August 24, 2009. Credit 21 comments.

My girlfriend is an elementary school teacher in the New York City public schools. One of the benefits of her employment is the reimbursement for the purchase of supplies and materials used in her class. Any teacher will tell you that they are required to pay for many of their own materials, and the amount ... Continue reading this article…

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Answering Mail: Using Debit Cards as Credit Cards

by Flexo on August 6, 2009. Credit 11 comments.

Every so often I address questions and comments I receive via email or Twitter. If you have a question, please contact me using the form on this page. I try to respond to everyone, but it might take a while before I read every email I receive. From A. Parker: What is the difference between the options ... Continue reading this article…

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More From Visa About Debit Cards

by Flexo on January 22, 2009. Credit 14 comments.

Last month, a representative from Visa offered to answer a few questions for Consumerism Commentary readers about debit cards. It many ways, I find debit cards to be inferior to credit cards, but Visa claims the cards linked directly to bank accounts have some redeeming qualities. Here are three additional questions I asked Visa and ... Continue reading this article…

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A “Computer Glitch” Caused Macy’s Customers to be Charged Twice

by Flexo on December 30, 2008. Consumer 3 comments.

On December 22, a representative for Visa wrote about that company’s protection for customers who use debit cards: If your account is compromised, Visa is committed to setting things right without further aggravation or inconvenience to you. Visa’s cardholder protection policy requires all financial institutions issuing Visa products to extend provisional credit for losses from unauthorized ... Continue reading this article…

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Visa’s Take on Debit Cards

by Flexo on December 22, 2008. Credit 7 comments.

A representative from Visa offered to answer a few questions for Consumerism Commentary readers about debit cards. I’ve written previously about five reasons to avoid debit cards, preferring credit cards for plastic payment. Here are three questions I asked Visa and the company’s responses. I have three more questions to post in the future as ... Continue reading this article…

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Wall Street Journal Podcast: Safe and Smart Online Shopping

by Flexo on December 8, 2007. Consumer Shopping 3 comments.

I mentioned the other day that I participated in an interview for a Wall Street Journal podcast, the Tech News Briefing E-Report. This service is seemingly accessible only to paid Wall Street Journal subscribers only1, but the RSS feed and the podcasts within are open to the public. To listen to the podcast ... Continue reading this article…

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