My dad swore using a debit card for everything would ruin me, turns out he was kind of right

So my dad told me years ago to NEVER use my debit card online because you have zero protection if something goes wrong. I laughed it off because I wanted the cash back rewards from my credit card. Then last month someone got my debit number from a gas station skimmer and drained $400 from my checking account. Took the bank 10 days to put the money back and I missed a rent payment. Anyone else have a parent give them financial advice that actually ended up being spot on?

3 comments

3 Comments

jake_owens1mo ago

Ditch the debit card for anything except getting cash from your bank's ATM. I use my credit card for practically everything and just pay it off each month. That way if someone steals the numbers, it's their money on the line, not mine. The gas station skimmers are brutal right now and they're everywhere. You got lucky it was only $400, my buddy had his whole paycheck vanish for two weeks. Your dad knew what he was talking about for sure.

the_lee1mo ago

Stick to plastic for gas stations and sketchy places. Learned that one the hard way myself.

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dianas501mo ago

Jeez, straight facts right there. I still use cash at some spots. Old school but whatever. Those skimmers are nasty little things. Rather lose a few bills than my whole bank account.