what is happening if i run my debit card as a credit card?thx?

Answer 1

Ok first of all the merchant gets the payment at the same time no matter how you use the card, credit or debit, not like what Paris P said. The only difference is that by running the card as credit, you are utilizing several things:
VISA/Mastercard do not require identification. If a store asks you for ID they are in violation of their merchant agreement with VISA/Mastercard. The money is still automatically deducted from your account at the time of sale. Depending on your bank all pending charges should be available online. They will be immediately deducted from your balance, however while they take 24-48 hours to post the items will show as pending.
By using a credit vs debit option you can also accumulate points!
for example if you have a visa debit card you should go to www.visaextras.com and register it! it's a free rewards program for check card users. Since I enrolled I've gotten 4 old navy gift cards, 6 blockbuster gift cards and 6 ruth chris steakhouse gift cards. using the credit vs debit option also means you do not have to enter your pin. This just makes your transation a little more safe as the store does not have your pin. Given the alarming number of data compromises at stores nationwide- TJ Maxx and DSW just to name a couple, you want stores to have as little information about you as possible and by using credit vs debit they wont have your pin #! this way crooks cannot create a duplicate credit card, yes unfortunatley that happens, and use it to drain your checking account.

The bottom line is this: NEVER RUN AS DEBIT unless that is your only option. You are better protected by VISA and this way the store has less of your personal information. Your benefits to using the card as credit greatly outweigh the use of it as debit. I have had a check card for over 8 years and have never ONCE used it as a debit card.

I HIGHLY recommend signing up for visa extras...why not get points for money that you are already spending?????

Answer 2

If you run your debit card as a credit card, all that is happening is your bank won't receive the transaction until the store processes its credit card transactions... if it's a big store like Target or Wal-Mart, it generally posts the next day. The difference is when you run it through as debit, the store automatically receives the cash out of your account once you put in your PIN number. Debit transcactions process immediately, while credit transactions take about 24-48 hours... unless you're buying from a small business which processes things much more slowly, it could take 2 or 3 days for the transaction to post to your account.

Also, many banks these days charge you a small fee if you use your debit card too many times or for too large of an amount, it just depends on your bank and the type of account you have... but if you use credit instead of debit, the bank will not charge you any fee (it encourages you to use the bank card as a credit card instead of Visa or Mastercard, your bank's main competitor).

Answer 3

It depends, if you mean checking credit instead of debit when you have money in the account to cover it than nothing. When I move back to Ohio, most banks want you to use them as credit cards and will actually charge you a fee for using them as a debit card. In Oklahoma they do not care.

If you use it as a true credit card and over run the account than you will get the normal overdraft fees and the other negative credit for over drafting your account.

Answer 4

It depends...If you debit card is not one of those Visa/Mastercard Debit Cards (Convenience cards) then nothing will happen since debit cards normally require pins to authorize payments..However a Visa/Master debit card acts like a credit card but withdrawals directly from your bank account, bypassing the need for a pin. So it depends on what type of debit card you are using.

Answer 5

nothing will happen if the correct funds are available the the transaction will go through, the good thing about choosing to use the credit option is that there is a processing fee associated with using the card to purchase goods( ie the $1.50 to $2.00 banks charge to use a non branch ATM) when you choose the debit option you pay that fee when you choose the credit option the merchant picks up the fee. unless your also trying to withdrawal money with your card while making a purchase, it would be better to choose the credit option when using your debit card to make purchases.

Answer 6

You are using as a credit card, the money is deducted from your checking account immediately just as in the use of the ATM feature, but you are not entering your PIN number. Some people have discovered that they don't want to type in their pin no. at stores all over town, with so many security cameras rolling.

Answer 7

it depends on your bank, but my bank card takes 3 days to post a credit transaction, and instantly if I use my debit with pin.

Answer 8

One of then goes thru your bank faster, I can't remember which one. With the debit, you just put your pin in and with credit, you have to sign the slip.

Answer 9

Nothing, I do it all the time.