Debit/Credit Card Paranoia?
 

Hi everyone,

Thank you all so much with your help thus far. I've been reading past postings regarding debit cards and credit cards. I was planning on using my debit card in Italy as a credit card and to withdraw cash out of the ATM's. It is a Bank of America Visa debit card. I've seen multiple posts that state that their debit cards don't work in Italy. Is this accurate? I have a 4 digit pin number, and am definitely planning on calling Bank of America to let them know that I will be overseas. Has anyone had a problem with this, or am I buying into the other paranoia?

Thanks,

I have used debit and credit cards of all types throughout europe without any problems at all.

For debit cards you need to be sure that they are linked to your checking account, you have a 4 digit PIN - and you bank knows you're going abroad.

Don;t know why you would use a debit card versus a regular credit card for other charges - but if you really want to, it has a Visa or MC logo and you have the money there - go right ahead.

Hi Ive only been to italy a few times and i did have a few problems with my debit cards.The thing is there machines sometimes eat your card so try to avoid machines that take your card inside.This just happened to me on my last trip in Seina. Like i said im no expert. but my advice is always carry a good amount of cash on you in a moneybelt .Most of Italy outside of the cities is very safe .This way you dont have to waste time looking for atms and can just enjoy yourself .Also call your bank and tell them about your trip that is a must!

We opened a second checking account that was linked to our primary account. This way my husband and I had four cards total in case one got eaten. We used the atm for 100% of our cash for our trip and never had one single problem. We were in Europe for 97 days. We just got cash every few days and used that for all of our expenses. Don't be paranoid, just be prepared for the unexpected and try to avoid it. :)

If your debit card does not have chip and pin you may have some issues using automated ticket machines, unmanned toll booths and unmanned gas stations. For ATMs it should be just fine.

I've lived in Italy for 3+ years and still have a couple of Bank of America accounts in the States. I do *infrequently* use my BofA debit card at multiple locations.

BofA has agreements with France or Britian at specific banks and you can use their ATM's without fees. Unfortunately, they do not have that agreement with a bank in Italy - so you'll have to pay fees. It costs me $5 each time I take out moeny from an ATM.

I also have an Italian ATM card and a Danish ATM card... so those are far cheaper for me to use, depending on where I'm at. For more info on ATM's in Italy, read this posting - Good Luck:

http://tinyurl.com/italy-atm

Thank you for the replies.

Rineurope, Thanks for the link. I actually found that one during my paranoid googling phase. :)

NyTraveler, I would prefer to use my debit card so I can just pay for everything up front, and save my credit card for an emergency. :)

I travel to Europe and specifically Italy quite frequently. I always use my BOA debit card for cash withdrawals, but only use the ATM machines at bank locations.

I have made countless purchases with it and almost never had a problem. However, there is a fee and as someone else said there are certain places (automated gas stations, toll booths, etc.) that require chip and pin.

dave

Dunno if it's the same with your credit cards, but you have far greater comeback and insurance if you use a credit card for purchases rather than a debit card.

You are going to need cash in Italy. Do not, as mentioned above get euros at home. Use ATM to withdraw euros while there.
I carry a couple of cards just in case. I save my CC for paying larger items like hotel, car rental,etc..

Be careful with a debit card for all purchases, as there is often a "hold" put on your account when you use it to check into a hotel or for purchases. This effectively freezes your balance and if you have a low balance your card can be denied. The "hold" is removed when the account settles up sometimes this can take a couple of days if it over a weekend/holiday.
A credit card can be used up until its predetermined spending limit and it offers protection in case of loss or frudulent use, unlike your debit card, you are only responsible for the first $50 of loss.

If you limit your ATM use to ATMs in banks during open hours, the bank could help you retrieve your eaten ATM card. That said, I've never had a card eaten, in maybe a hundred or more withdrawals.

The whole point of ATMs is to avoid carrying large amounts of cash. We bring multiple ATM cards and credit cards, all from credit unions, so only a 1% conversion fee.

And if the OP is from outside Europe, she'll have to pay through the nose to buy euros, either at home or in Europe.

The only time I had a card eaten was at an ATM in Memphis, TN in 1993. It happens, but rarely. We went into the bank and a teller got it back for us.

Our practice for day-to-day expenses (meals, sightseeing, etc) is to get cash from a local ATM so we can pay with cash. We pay for larger things (hotels, car rental, more expensive tours, etc) with a credit card. If at all possible, we don't use our debit cards anywhere except a bank-owned ATM.

The reason for this is because if a thief gets our debit card number, they can actually remove money from our accounts. The bank will have to put it back eventually, but in the mean time, it could put a real damper on our trip. OTOH, with a credit card, the same scenario isn't as big of a deal. So we cancel that account, the bank investigates the fraud, and we use a different card for the duration of our trip. Small speed bump versus possible derailment. If our debit cards are only used at bank-owned ATMs, the risk of fraud is significantly reduced.

<i>'if a thief gets our debit card number, they can actually remove money from our accounts. The bank will have to put it back eventually'</i> - not necessarily true - depends on your bank and whether your account agreement includes some kind of theft protection. Stealing money from your checking account with a debit card is like stealing cash from you. Someone can empty your account and you may have no recourse with the bank.

Thank you everyone.

You have all helped decrease my paranoia quite a bit. I really appreciate all of the suggestions. Thank you so much! :)