What Can Be Done About Security of Debit Cards?

JumpDrive writes "I have been the victim of (Visa) debit card theft. I do not know where they stole or got the number, but it was used one day on the other side of the country and the next day it was used in Europe until they cleaned out my account. I had been monitoring my account online and immediately went to the bank and filed a claim. I was told at that time it would be 3 to 5 weeks for them to investigate the claim before they could return my money. Recently I tried to make a purchase with a debit card and was told that they couldn't use the card since it wasn't a Visa or MasterCard check card; this led to a discussion of why I no longer have a Visa or MasterCard check card. Which then led to the question of 'What can be done about it?' Currently I have a separate account for debit usage for my personal safety. But I also think that those producing these check cards should be required to advertise the hazards of having one of these cards (not in small print and maybe required in advertisement of these cards, similar to what is required with pharmaceutical drugs on television) and/or that if a debit or check card is issued a separate account should be required for its use, and users informed of the issues of placing all of their money in the same account that their debit card has access to. What other precautionary measures should be required or taken?"

Comments

Umm... what?

[Anonymous Coward]

You want my advice? Move to a civilized country. One where banks are required by law to secure debit card transfers, just like credit card companies are required to secure credit card transfers. Seriously, I've never met anyone who's had a problem with a debit card -- a credit card, perhaps, but never a debit card.

Just one more part of US legislation that is severely broken, I guess.

Re:What can be done? Nothing.

[evilviper]

checking your account every few days is only prudent.

Not unless you're unemployed and therefore have a lot of extra time on your hands...

Honestly, if I have to watch my bank account like a hawk to have a debit or credit card, I'd stick to cash exclusively, and the good old monthly statement... I don't know about anyone else, but the "convenience" of a credit/debit card is pretty damn small to me.