 TITLE: Are Credit Cards Safer Than Debit Cards? CONTENT: How to Stay Safe Without a Credit Card\n--------------------------------------\nPrefer to use your debit card for the bulk of your purchases? No problem, just follow these tips:\n*   **Limit the funds in your checking account.** Don't hold more than you can afford to lose in the checking account associated with your debit card. A good technique is to open two accounts, one for checking and the other for savings, at the same bank. Only keep the amount of money you need to spend in your checking account, then move cash over from your savings account when necessary.\n*   **Be careful with overdraft protection.** With overdraft protection, your bank will tap into a linked source of funds, such as your savings account or a credit card, to cover transactions that exceed the amount in your checking account. The upside is that you'll avoid overdraft fees. The downside is if a thief uses your debit card, that person will then not only be able to grab your money from your checking account, but from the linked account as well. If you're particularly concerned about fraud, you may want to disable this feature.\n*   **Monitor your account statements.** It's always wise to maintain a close watch on all your transactions. On a daily or weekly basis, use your bank's app or review your statements online. Not only will you be able to plan ahead for spending, but you'll also spot any fraudulent activity that you need to address before it can hurt you.\nSo are credit cards safer than debit cards? Regarding consumer protection advantages, the answer is usually yes. But if you want to build a barrier against big credit card balances, which can also be dangerous, a debit card might be the better choice. Having both types at your disposal, however, and using them in an informed way will help you steer clear of danger. END