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By the year 2000, two-thirds of American households will have a debit card. Debit cards are expected to rival cash and checks as a form of payment. With the debit card, you are using your own money, not the issuer's money.

Debit cards are also known as check cards. Debit cards look like credit cards or ATM (automated teller machine) cards, but operate like cash or a personal check. Debit cards are different from credit cards. While a credit card is a way to "pay later," a debit card is a way to "pay now." When you use a debit card, your money is quickly deducted from your checking or savings account.

Debit cards are accepted at many locations, including grocery stores, retail stores, gasoline stations, and restaurants. You can use your card anywhere merchants display your card's brand name or logo. They offer an alternative to carrying a checkbook or cash.

It's the difference between "debit" and "credit." Debit means "subtract." When you use a debit card, you are subtracting your money from your own bank account. Debit cards allow you to spend only what is in your bank account. It is a quick transaction between the merchant and your personal bank account.

Credit is money made available to you by a bank or other financial institution, like a loan. The amount the issuer allows you to use is determined by your credit history, income, debts, and ability to pay. You may use the credit with the understanding that you will repay the amount, plus interest if you do not pay in full each month. You will receive a monthly statement detailing your charges and payment requirements.

• Obtaining a debit card is often easier than obtaining a credit card.

• Using a debit card instead of writing checks saves you from showing identification or giving out personal information at the time of the transaction.

• Using a debit card frees you from carrying cash or a checkbook.

• Using a debit card means you no longer have to stock up on traveler's checks or cash when you travel.

• Debit cards may be more readily accepted by merchants than checks, especially in other states or countries wherever your card brand is accepted.

• The debit card is a quick, "pay now" product, giving you no grace period.

• Using a debit card may mean you have less protection than with a credit card purchase for items which are never delivered, are defective, or were misrepresented. But, as with credit cards, you may dispute unauthorized charges or other mistakes within 60 days. You should contact the card issuer if a problem cannot be resolved with the merchant.

• Returning goods or canceling services purchased with a debit card is treated as if the purchase were made with cash or a check.

"On-line" debit cards: These cards usually are enhanced ATM (automated teller machine) cards which work the same as they would in an ATM transaction. It is an immediate electronic transfer of money from your bank account to the merchant's bank account.

To access your account at a store terminal, you must punch in your personal identification number (PIN), as you would at an ATM. The system checks your account to see if it has enough money available to cover the transaction.

"Off-line" debit cards: These cards usually look like a credit card and resemble a credit card transaction. The merchant's terminal reads your card, identifies it as a debit rather than a credit card, and creates a debit against your bank account. However, instead of debiting your account immediately, it stores the debit for processing later -- usually within 2-3 days.

Most, but not all, transactions are verified to see if there are adequate funds. Instead, of using a PIN number, the customer must sign a receipt, as he or she would with a credit card.

The "on-line" and "off-line" distinction may not matter to you unless:

• your financial institution charges transaction or monthly fees.

• you prefer the security of a PIN-required transaction.

• you prefer that both options not be on one card.

 While some issuers give customers separate cards for ATM and on-line transactions and another for off-line uses, others combine the two on one card. If your card handles both off-line and on-line debits and the store accepts both, you will choose the function when you use the card. If you choose "debit" on the merchant's terminal and "swipe" your card through, the transaction will be done on-line and you will be asked for your PIN. If you choose "credit" on the terminal and swipe your debit card through, the payment will be off-line and you will be asked to sign the sales slip. 

What Does This Mean For A Merchant?

An "Off Line" transaction means you pay the percentage and transaction fee for this sale.

Say it is a $100.00 purchase and your percentage for that transaction is 1.75% plus .25 cents per transaction. Your cost is $2.00 for that sale.

Compared with an "On Line" transaction that the customer enters a pin number and your cost for debit is a flat .70 cents per transaction. You have just saved $1.30.

Call 1-800-540-8424 or Fax 1-775-854-1903