Debit Cards

Report a Lost or Stolen VISA^®Debit or ATM Card
To report a lost or stolen VISA^® Debit or ATM card, please call the numbers below
available 24/7, 365 days a year.

In the US

888-241-2510

Outside the US

909-941-1398

When is Credit better than Debit
and the other way around?

The Pacific Transportation VISA® Check Card is a debit card that you may use at millions of merchants across the world, at thousands of fee-free ATM's across the country (including 7-Eleven® stores), and to access your share and checking accounts. You may also use the VISA® Check Card at stores and get cash back.

Various merchants may offer two different options for debit cards to consumers when making a purchase, either a "credit" option or a "debit" option. How can you tell what the difference is and why you should choose one over the other when offered a choice?

Here's the difference from choosing "Credit" or "Debit" when at your point of sale:

"Debit" option (PIN required)

Purchase goods or services at places that accept VISA® debit card
Cash back is an available option. No need to visit the ATM
Security of using a PIN. PIN based transactions are much less likely to be fraudulent than signature-based.
Small transaction. ATM/debit cards carry a limit on purchases and withdrawals. If you're purchasing a big-ticket item, you may exceed your daily spending limit, or send the remainder of the day's transactions into limbo.
Your account is flush. Debit purchases are instantly taken out of your checking account, just like an ATM transaction.

Unless you need to receive cash back, choosing the "credit" option offers more utility for your debit card.

"Credit" option (PINless)

Increased fraud protection. VISA® and MasterCard® have zero liability policies on debit card purchases that are processed as "credit," meaning you have signed for your purchase rather than punching in a PIN.
Purchase goods or services at places that accept VISA® debit cards
Order good and services by mail or telephone from places that accept VISA® debit cards
Make automatic payments from your account to pay bills or other charges from places that accept VISA® debit cards. Money is deducted from your checking account
Sign for your purchases in face to face transactions
Stronger return rights. If a merchant doesn't refund your money, you may have some charge back rights from VISA®
Ease of use. No need to enter a PIN number
Assist your credit union in savings on costs
Larger purchases. Because of smaller limits imposed when using PIN transactions, larger purchases are more likely to be authorized using signature debit. Keep in mind that there are still limits to the "credit" side of an ATM/debit card; it's best to confirm this limit prior to making that big-ticket item purchase.

If you're paying with your ATM/debit card, one thing is always the same: Any credit or debit transaction you make will result in money coming directly out of your checking account. "Credit" transactions are not true credit; payments do not become part of a revolving account, as a regular credit card transaction would. There is no interest and no monthly payments. In this way, "credit" and "debit" charges on your ATM/debit card are largely interchangeable, and in most cases either choice is perfectly acceptable.

Some retailers charge a fee for either one or both "credit" and "debit" services. To avoid excess fees and unwelcome surprises, ask the retailer what fees may apply prior to making a choice between debit and credit. You'll also avoid excess fees by making sure you have adequate funds to cover any and all purchases you make, credit or debit, before you hit "enter." Adding an overdraft charge to the purchase price of any item can turn the best bargain into a splurge.

Visit www.usa.visa.com for more information on various VISA® promotions and offers.

Click here for a Debit Card Dispute Form

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