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How Debit Cards and Credit Cards Works

How Debit Cards and Credit Cards Works



If you are staying in the United States for a while, it is useful to have a debit card (ATM) or a credit card to be able to withdraw money. Take the time to inquire, as fees vary greatly depending on the type of card and transaction.

 Credit Cards in the USA

If you have a card in your country, check with your bank if it works in US distributors (ATM) (in general, banks are compatible with this system in the United States). If you plan to stay in the country for a while, you may need to open an American account and get a card to make your transactions cheaper.

If you lose your debit or credit card, contact your bank as soon as possible. Never give your secret code to anyone, at the risk of stealing money.

Credit card

In the US, you can pay with a credit card almost anywhere, whether you are in a restaurant or a supermarket. As in many countries, the most common cards are MasterCard, Visa and American Express. Check the stickers at the store entrance to see if your card will be accepted indoors. If you have a PIN for your credit card, you can use it to withdraw money from distributors, but be careful as the fees can be high.

Most credit card companies do not take you an annual fee. When choosing, check with various banks and department stores to find out which card is right for you. Some banks do not entrust cards to new customers. Do not forget that to have a credit card in the US, you will need a social security number.

Debit Cards (ATM)

Very often, debit cards / ATM cards have a Visa or MasterCard logo, which means you can use it as normal credit cards. The only difference is that the money will come directly from your checking account. That's why ATM cards are so popular.

When you open your bank account, you will receive an ATM card with a secret code (normally four digits). This card allows you to draw money in most American distributors. Withdrawals from your bank's distributors and associated institutions are free, but distributors from other banks will charge you a fee (often between $ 2 and $ 4). Ask your bank how much this type of transaction costs.

With your ATM card, you can also print bank statements to your bank's distributors. These records show all transactions made. The money transferred to the account is credited (credit), and the money taken from the account is debited (debit).