never had that happen, thank goodness. Waiting on reply's as well.

"Can the bank actually tell you what or where a purchase that flagged your account??"

Mine can. And they call me when anything turns up that is suspicious before freezing the account.

Have only had it happen twice.....once when I was out of state (no fraud - just me :-)) and the second was an actual fraud attempt made across the country with just the card number.

Was it only your account? Perhaps the bank had a security problem and froze a number of accounts due to a breach?

There are a number of reasons why using a debit card for shopping isn't the best idea and you've bumped up into one. Imagine how it would have been had they put a hold on your checking account.

If you need spending discipline, get yourself a prepaid Visa credit card and replenish it when needed.

Better to say "debit card was frozen" than "debit card froze". The second would describe what might happen if you were out in sub-zero weather.

Good luck.

Good article on why you should use a credit card instead of a debit card.

https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/reasons-to-use-credit-cards-vs-debit-cards

And use cash for small purchases at places like the coffee/donut place.

I wasn't in the habit of using my debit card for anything other than cash at my banks drive up - until the last couple of months. Recently I've been putting it in my pocket, leaving all else in my car when going into a store and paying for my purchase with my debit card. I thought I was doing well not handling cash or writing a check, and liked not having a bill come at months end, charging groceries in particular something I've never done.

Are you saying that's not wise use of my card?

Better consumer protection using a credit card and a fraud catastrophe won't tie up or empty your bank account.

When my debit card was frozen I looked at my bank account before I called the telephone number that notified me in the middle of the night to see if the number was real. I could see on my bank account that several items from all over had hit the account already. Always if you have not already looked at your account online you may want to. You may have charges on it that you did not make. Mine were all over the country. One may have been a test because if I was going to use a card that was not mine I would order something more than a $6.00 pizza.

When my debit card was frozen so was my bank account until I called and verified which incoming charges were mine.

Morz8 it's much more dangerous because it is direct access to your checking account. Whereas if you use the credit card for everything and have one payment to pay off at the same time each month. The risk is much less likely to cost you time and money if your credit card is compromised. Usually it will be covered by the credit card company. That's not always the case with the debit card. And you can end up with all your money frozen along with the debit card.

Thanks for the tips. I knew not to use it online and haven't, I didn't know not to use it in stores. Sigh. And it was proving so easy ;0) Between debit and PayPal, I was finding little reason to charge anything. I'll replace it with one of the credit cards, pay for purchases with that.

I think the differences in consequences of problems to cardholders arise because consumer lending laws that govern credit cards (and the policies of better banks that often go beyond what's required) are more consumer friendly and differ from banking laws, which cover debit cards. Different laws, different provisions. But I'm not sure.

Maybe someone who's familiar with commercial banking and lending laws will happen by and shine a light on the differences.

Or any amount up to the total amount in that account ... gone into someone(s) else's pocket(s)!

If you have agreed to have recurring payments, e.g. power bills automatically paid from that account and it gets blocked, you'll have some hassles when any of those payments get refused while the account (supposing there's still any money left in it) is blocked.

Most agencies to whom you gave a cheque that's dishonoured make a charge of a substantial amount, e.g. $25.00. And most banks charge a fee if one of your cheques is refused because there's insufficient money - though you might get this worked out with the bank.

My bank used to charge $42.50 each ... later 45. ... then 47.50 and $50.00. Haven't asked lately.

Many charities, and more recently churches, have asked my permission to let them collect whatever agreed amount monthly from my bank account. None of them has received such permission: if, say, ten of them were to do that and this forgetful old fart had neglected to pump up the account - that $500.+ penalty by the bank's end is way more than most any of the charities get per year! (And no income tax benefit from those fees, either!)!

Good wishes for careful management of your assets and the use of them.

ole joyful

If you are concerned about spending, then look at old statements and total up all the debit card purchases, and average them out for a typical month. Say, a total of $500? Then just make note of $500 every month in a register. Or mentally on your online bank statement. Sometimes it'll be a little less, sometimes a little more. When I make a larger than normal purchase, say a car repair that's out of my usual spending pattern, I'll make note of that, too. So when the bill comes, you've already taken the charges into account

I bought an over-sized checkbook style ledger and record each debit card transaction just as I always used to with my household checkbook. It stays in a desk drawer . Once a month I balance it with the bank's figures.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0073A1M6G/ref=twister_B079HRNQCQ?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

It being the 21st century now, manual ledgers are pretty passé. Easier alternatives exist. One would be to download bank transactions to Mint - a free and easy way to budget and keep track of all spending. Another would be to use a spreadsheet. Free templates for money management are easily found for spreadsheet programs and also for online use (allowing both browser and smartphone access too) within Google Docs (Sheets).

I care not about passe. ( ETA: nothing would be MORE passe than making snide remarks )

“I bought an over-sized checkbook style ledger and record each debit card transaction just as I always used to with my household checkbook. It stays in a desk drawer . Once a month I balance it with the bank's figures.”

Does your ledger ever differ from what your bank posts immediately online?

Why not check your account (online) each time you use your card? It’s easy to get into the habit of checking your accounts daily, it takes about 30 seconds.

The numbers online can differ from my ledger due to automatic credits or debits that come later on in the month. I certainly use both methods, but not daily. I just find a hand written ledger satisfying to use alongside the computerized options. It does not work for all.

One benefit of doing it by hand is you REALLY understand it. I worked with some people who relied so much on automation they didn't understand what was going on, couldn't spot errors in method or result. These weren't always young folks, either.

That said, I rely on my bank and cc statements and never doublecheck.

Greetings nickel_kg,

When you get into a car - do you attach your seat belt ... in case something goes wrong?

ole joyful

I check my account on-line each day. I know what I've spent, and know what the charges/debits should be. It's easier to correct an error right away than at the once-a-month exercise. If there's an error today, I can get it corrected right away, rather than waiting until the end of the month. And I can also catch anything unauthorized that could happen. I really understand it. The amount that I spent should be reflected in my account. If I've spent $10, my account should reflect a debit of $10. It takes no more than 30 sec, if even that. I find it saves time, rather than sitting down with a hand written ledger and a computer print-out. Yikes, who has time for that.

As I said before, I keep a hand written ledger AND check the account on-line. I do not print out a statement. There is no once a month exercise. I find it very hands on and satisfying although it is SO last century! There are not that many entries to make it tedious. I also keep an eye on investments, the market and potential investments and expenditures. It all takes time.

If a debit card gets compromised and transactions are charged fraudulently, that is YOUR money from your checking/savings account that is gone. Yes, presumably your bank will put the money back in your account....you know, at some point, once they believe you and get around to it. :)

If your credit card gets compromised, that's the credit card issuer's problem. Yes you still have to call and report the fraudulent activity - but in the meantime, none of your actual cash in your actual bank account is gone while it gets sorted out.

I have never even owned a debit card, for this reason. It's just not worth it to me. I get points on my credit card (which means cash back for me, yay!), and the bill is paid in full every month. So the credit card company is literally paying me to use their product. I've had 2 or 3 fraudulent charges hit my credit card over the years, all of which were easily resolved on my end - and none of "my" money was tied up in the process. Win/Win/Win. :)

It must depend on the bank. When the single instance of fraud against my debit card hit the computers, my bank called me to deny or confirm the transaction. When I denied the transaction (half way across the country and with no card presented (obviously)), the funds that were temporarily debited were immediately credited back. Less than 2 hours involved start to finish!! NBD!

Still would not give up or stop using my debit card for 99% of my financial transactions. No credit, no thanks. YMMV

Elmer, You do not know what my financial situation is or how it is handled or by whom. It is inaccurate and unkind to judge me by one small hand written ledger that only concerns household checking. If others choose to scroll by my comment so be it. To each his own.

You need not worry about me at all, I do use "newer ways" with my finances. No further commentary is necessary.

Elizabeth, I am also an Elizabeth and I write checks and I keep a check register and I go online frequently to look at my bank account. I enjoy it. It's nobody's business but our own!! You go, girl!!!

Thank you ....other Elizabeth