Aren't all these bank notices just the formal "disclosure" for something they have been doing all along? (ie. adding x% above Visa's 1%)...

LVSue, you CAN use your ATM/Mastercard anywhere and everywhere in Europe. I used mine at ATM's and for purchases, both, but not at restaurants. Our banker friends say that when numbers are stolen nowadays during a transaction it is usually at a restaurant, when the waiter takes the card away from your table and swipes it through on a machine out of sight. It's easy to jot down the number in the kitchen or a wait station. In a retail store the card never leaves your sight, it goes through the machine and you sign the merchant's printed copy, which only lists the last 4 digits of your number.

kswl, thanks for the encouragement. I hope you're right. Just in case, I called my CU and had them change my plain ATM card to one with a Visa logo. And if all else fails, I have my trusty 10-year-old travelers checks.

Budman, to clarify, when I use the card there are two options when I am paying. I can either press "debit" or "credit". I always choose "credit", if I were to choose "debit" I need to put in a pin number, (which I forget) and it charges my account a dollar and fifty cents. I understand the principles of all the various transactions, I guess I was "speaking literally" as to what option I press when using the card. I also obviously do not use it as an ATM card.

I hope that makes more sense. I am not exactly the world's best typest and certainly not the best at expressing myself sometimes.

Thank you for explaining that to me though, I do appreciate it.

dsm22, WOW! Most merchants won't allow you to use a debit card with a PIN as they are only set up to take credit cards. There are exceptions such as grocery stores which give you the option of using either.

I have never been charged using my debit card at a grocery store. I do it often, especially if I want cash back. I've only been charged a fee for using another bank's ATM machine.

If my bank charged me your fees, I think I would look into changing banks.

Yeah, I don't know why my bank charges that much. I have my accounts there because that is where my company banks. I have been through 3 banks and one credit union since I moved here from NYC. I worked in banking for years. It seems that they are all getting greedy with these fees.

It seems that most of the stores in the mall I work at allow you to use your PIN number. Even the fast food restaurants are getting cashless(with the PIN number option.)

I NEVER carry cash. I use that card for everything. I really think that I spend less money that way. When I do have actual money in my pocket it burns a whole in it.

As far as changing banks, as I said they are all getting greedy. At least this one is in the mall with me, and I can get there easily. I work 65 hours a week and I find that other banks around here are always closed when I have the opportunity to go. You have to also understand I moved out into the middle of a cornfield. It is almost like the 1950's out here. Banks, and some business close at noon on Wednesday, not open on sunday obviously, but even stores here open at 12 and close at 5pm if they are open at all.

While I go to the bank for my store I can do my own things. I just do not use my card that way and I avoid any fees. I do not get charged anything else.

Okay, I will shut up now I have babbled enough!