WHAT IS A DEBIT CARD?

 
     A debit card is a small plastic card issued to you by your bank. This card has information imbedded into a magnetic stripe, or a computer chip (or both) on the card. As you insert the card into any ATM (automatic teller machine) or you swipe the magnetic stripe along a 'card swiper', the information that is stored in the stripe or the chip is read by the machine, which then connects electronically to your bank account or accounts. Once the ATM has made this connection, you can perform a variety of services, which most often include withdrawals, deposits, and transfers.

     Debit cards are quick, simple, and convenient. They allow you to perform tasks with your bank account/s without you needing to physically go to your bank, and which you can't do online on your computer; for example, you cannot make check or cash withdrawals or deposits on your home computer! But if you're in a faraway city, or blocks away from your local bank, you can go into almost any other bank, or stand-alone ATM, and withdraw cash from your account, using a debit card. You can also use them to completely by-pass the need for physical cash, making transactions that are entirely electronic, from your bank to the bank of whatever store or company you are buying from. Debit cards were also welcomed by the banks because they would cut down the costs of cheque-processing; Cheques need human handling, paper and printing, and time, and it was hoped the electronic card could cut down much of that expense.
     They first came into use in the early to mid 1980's, amid much controversy. People were worried about fraud, theft, and even about simply 'spending more money' because access to it was so easy, with ATM's being available 24 hours per day. Yes, fraud, theft, and spending more money all did become problems. But we still have the cards. We're willing to take the risks, because it makes things just too darn convenient. I can hardly remember what it was like, now, to think back to a time where you'd be in another city our country and have to go through complicated bank wire transfers, money orders, traveller's cheques, etc. to withdraw money when you needed it. Now, in practically any country in the world, you whip out your debit card and take money out immediately, and in the currency of whatever country you're stranded in. THAT'S convenient!
     The pictures below: 1. Debit cards. There are thousands of kinds all over the world, but they all look like this, with different colors. 2. A hand-held debit card reader, with a card's magnetic stripe being swiped. 3. An ATM kiosk, found around cities in stores, restaurants, gas stations, casinos, airports, basically any place there's a little corner needing to be filled. 4. ATM kiosks are usually wall-mounted like this when found in banks. Customers are usually less furry, depending on which country you're in.