Credit or debit? It’s a common question you’re likely to hear when using your Visa® Check Card. We recommend choosing credit, unless you need cash back. With either debit or credit, the funds will be deducted from your checking account balance.

Visa offers a Zero Liability policy on all signature-based “credit” transactions, protecting you against fraud, which is especially important considering your Check Card is linked directly to your checking account.

“Debit” purchases (PIN-based transactions), on the other hand, may not be covered under the Zero Liability policy. If someone makes an unauthorized purchase with your Check Card by entering your PIN, you could be liable for $50 - $500.

As an added bonus, Visa conducts promotions and sweepstakes from its list of signature (non-PIN based) transactions, so you could be a winner!

The only time we recommend choosing debit instead of credit is when you need cash back. Retailers will only give cash back on debit transactions.

So the next time the cashier asks “credit or debit,” choose credit unless you want cash back.