I just read a thread where the comments heavily suggested OP use a credit card when they travel again so that it would be easier to dispute a fraudulent charge. What makes a dispute through your bank less successful?
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The law.
Debit cards are newer than credit cards, and the laws regulating them were written later, by a more business-friendly Congress. Credit cards have a maximum legal liability (for fraudulent use) of $50, a dollar amount that AFAIK hasn’t changed one bit since the initial regulations were written. And while the bank investigates they can’t charge you the disputed amount. (If the investigation goes against you, they can retroactively charge you interest).
$50 is so little that many banks just forgo it so they can tout a “100% Fraud Protection Guarantee” that’s worth… $50.
Debit cards have a $500 liability limit. And during an investigation, you’re out the entire amount that was stolen from you. No wonder banks push debit cards so hard (for most banks, ATM cards got promoted to debit cards, like it or not).
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