Ler, Bogy and others who believe that debit cards are safe as CC.
VISA Check or Debit cards may only have additional protection or similar protection to CC as defined by the issuing bank. Again, the devil is in the details. Additionally, there is much confusion about the law regarding protection of ATM, VISA Check(debit) and CC. They are three separate levels of protection. In the merchant member news letter regarding these three the best example given is with debit card's 48 hour rule- How much can a crook run up in 48 hours?
Bogy- while selling a protection plan that mirrors the federal law for debit protection is indeed a scam. not all are like this. The most common one, not a scam, is the one that guarantees all your cards, atm, debit, and CC equal protection with a $50 deductible. What often happens also is the consumer may purchase several plans which is like buying two car insurance policies. Except for life insurance, loss will only be paid once.
Anyway- You believe what you want. Just don't get caught having to fight your bank if they don't have the policy you think they have or that your interpretation of the Federal law is incorrect.
Another thing to consider is the risk / benefit of these three cards.
In a practical use, the ATM has far less risk than a debit card because all transactions are protected by a pin that is private in the sense you are using the pin at an ATM machine that by its design, aids in the privacy of your PIN. A Debit card also has a PIN but not only the clerk can see you enter the PIN but anyone standing in the checkout line may too. I often am amazed at how I can see the PIN of these debit card holders when at the checkout counter. YMMV.
I agree with anyone who feels they can manage their credit and actually do and don't have a debit card. It's not hard for me. YMMV I have an ATM and several credit cards. I feel debit cards are for people who can't properly manage their lines of credit. This does not mean that if you carry a balance on your credit card you are in that category. I often see posts here that defend CC by saying I never incur a finance charge. OK, that is a noble position but may not always be the best position for one who can manage their credit. Consider this- If you could borrow money at NO FINANCE charge for 6 months, and had the ability to pay it back before that line of credit jumped to 18% in the seventh month, would you do it? I would, and do. If you have a plan that is earning 12% on your money deposited, you might even use a CC to obtain that money if the card charges you 6%. This is not high finance. Its just common sense and ability to manage it. The trick here is paying on time and maintaining the rate, plus always being in a position to pay it all off when needed.