" QUESTION: Using the PIN pad or signing the receipt for a DEBIT card? ANSWER: It depends. If you need cash back and do not have a free ATM nearby, then using a PIN will usually enable you to ask for "Cash Back" from the transaction without incurring an ATM surcharge. Other than that scenario, it is better protection for you to run the card through as a credit card and sign the receipt. First, no one will see you enter a PIN. Second, if you have a dispute with the merchant you have the full recourse of the Visa system and may be able to recoup the cost of defective merchandise or services if you are unable to rectify the matter with the merchant. Also, it is much easier to prove fraud on a debit transaction than an ATM(using pin pad) transaction. For an ATM card to be used fraudulently, the thief must have the card and the PIN number. The debit card transaction is easy to verify, because we have your signature on file. "

" brew when my kid is 8 she doesnt sit in the seat on the shopping cart, and when she was little it was very easy to run the buckle thru it and have it on the BACK of where she was sitting! dah! My bank knows who I am but it is their job to check anyways-I can go there daily and she must check or be fired! "

" I don't know where you get your credit cards from but the ones I carry have 0 liability if lost or stolen. You are quoting what the legal statutes say but not the policies of the credit card companies. And when does information from a police officer become irrefutable? If you were any kind of a solid citizen your bank would know who you were. A debit card does not have a $50 limit on liability. The policies are different for each bank and they are not bound by credit card rules. As usual you go into a battle of facts unarmed. And Froggy if I left my wallet out in public and it was stolen the first person I would blame is me for being so stupid. That little shelf in the cart is for your kid's butt not your purse. "

" brew I would like to see you get into YOUR bank deposit box WITHOUT any form of ID if your wallet was stolen? PS. I always check my facts! Now go to your bank and see if they will let you in your BOX! "

" sorry brew but I recieved my advice from a police officer! If your ATM or debit card is lost or stolen, report it immediately because the amount you can be held responsible for depends on how quickly you report the loss. If you report the loss or theft within two business days of discovery, your losses are limited to $50. If you report the loss or theft after two business days, but within 60 days after the unauthorized electronic fund transfer appears on your statement, you could lose up to $500 of what the thief withdraws. Keep a record - in a safe place separate from your cards - of your account numbers, expiration dates, and the telephone numbers of each card issuer so you can report a loss quickly. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/atmcard.shtm "

" From your desk? I think I would use one of those mini-door alarms attached to it-wouldn't the office thief be shocked!X-mas is the worst time-I have seen many of women just sit their purse in the cart and stare at items on shelves-anyone could walk off with their purse! Thieves are even bold enough to grab them while one is loading their car--I always secure mine with the cart buckles! I would love to see someone try to grab my purse! "

" Actually CM it is better to carry a credit card than a debit card. Credit cards generally have 0 liability when stolen but debit cards policies vary by the bank's policies. They don't have the protections that credit cards have. And why would you make a copy of your credit cards and license and secure it at home? So that you have 2 ways to get robbed? Maybe make copies and put it in a safe deposit box. A burglar would have access to your computer and your credit cards and license and you are wide open to ID theft. Think about your advice before you give it out. But you do have a reputation of never checking facts. "

" I don't understand how you people can point the finger at the victim!! How pathetic are you?! Since when is it a person's fault that they had their belongings tampered with? This lady had her purse stolen, and all you can say is "Oh it's your fault, because you are irresponsible?" I don't think so! Pretty sad. Don't worry, I'm sure sometime in your life, you will be on the recieveing end of a wrong doing. I just hope you don't want a little sympathy. Because it'll be your own wrong doing, that "acccording to you" will be the reason. "

" CM - good ideas. I had mine stolen right from inside my desk unfortunately. But since then, I carry no cash and because I always did have my cards recorded I was able to stop them immediately. One was taken the next day at a local bank atm machine that he tried to use it in and the atm machine confiscated the card. "

" since you don't mention as to how your purse was stolen-A. a thief is a thief or B. your lack of responsibility, Here's some hints to aide in the future: 1. carry very little cash/use debit cards. 2. photo copy you credit cards/drivers license and keep in a secure location in your home. 3. when you use a shopping cart use the child restraint buckles to secure your purse to the cart, so when you turn your back a thief may try to get your purse but will get a whole cart too! "

" This is absolutely the worst. I hope the person that did this is found. I had my purse stolen a few years back and believe it or not they found the guy. Unreal. Grand larceny for him when they get him. Stealing a purse that contains cash, credit cards, bank cards is grand larceny. APD was great, they tracked him to his hometown and found him with a relative. "

" Keep better track of your purse. "