Reply #9: This article is FUD and heavily slanted.

[Shandris]

Of course you're supposed to be afraid of debit cards. Why, they don't have 21% interest!

Most Debit Cards from reputable banks have some kind of liability limit in addition to a withdrawal limit that auto-trips (please notice qualifier 'most') and refuses the transaction until identity is verified. The rules for handling a debit card are no different than a stores (particularly in the case where the card can double as a credit card; these require a signature on the back and so forth that are ~legally~ supposed to be checked before the card is honored) rules of handling credit cards. Even sleazy banks offer a small-fee insurance against identity theft in most cases.

The pre-loaded card may be an option, but I haven't personally taken the time to read the fine print on it so I can't say for sure. For shopping online, Paypal and a debit card have served me quite well.

Look at the organization name of the final statement. "The safest form of payment that truly exists on the planet is the credit card," says Abagnale. "I removed 99 percent of the risk because I spend the credit card company's money. If someone looks over my shoulder and gets my number, I have zero liability." -- American Association of Bankers.