Reply #27: No, it is being used as a PIN debit card and as a signature debit card

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When you use a debit card with a PIN input the transaction goes through the networks that connect the banks' ATMs together. It is debited from your checking account and the merchant is charged a fairly small fee, like 15 cents.

When you use a debit card with signature, then the transaction goes through the Visa or Mastercard network. It still is debited immediately from your checking account and the merchant is charged a fairly hefty fee, like it was a credit card.

Some cards can also be used as actual credit cards. In this case it goes through the Visa or Mastercard network, but the charge is applied to your credit card account -- it is not debited from your checking account. The merchant would be charged the hefty fee for a credit card transaction. You would not be charged an overdraft fee. If you go over your available credit limit on the credit card account, the bank would apply an over limit fee.