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alzee76 t1_iy5ef4d wrote

Hope this young man has this sorted out, but this is a valuable lesson: Don't buy high ticket items on a debit card unless things are dramatically different in the UK vs the US regarding buyer protections.

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FJ1010123 t1_iy5f2z8 wrote

Yep you’re right, credit card purchases are protected in the UK too!

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alzee76 t1_iy5fenp wrote

My question was more : Are debit cards in the UK protected like credit cards -- in the US, they aren't.

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surfmaster t1_iy5gb6g wrote

There are significantly fewer protections on debit cards in the US, but the EFTA and most card servicers (Visa/MC/etc) do limit liabilities within a window of the transaction.

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alzee76 t1_iy5h5xx wrote

> the EFTA does limit liabilities within a window of the transaction.

The EFTA offers no protections in a case where the product you purchased is defective or not delivered. It protects you only from liability due to errors made by one end of the financial transaction or the other, and unauthorized transactions like a stolen card or number.

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FJ1010123 t1_iy5fv9d wrote

Oh I see. As far as I know it’s only credit cards unfortunately.

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Wojtas_ t1_iy5euhn wrote

They are, at least in the EU. All transactions are under the same protection (why wouldn't they be???)

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jimicus t1_iy5fn0s wrote

The UK isn't in the EU - and even when it was, the law is quite different. There is much stronger protection for credit card purchases.

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alzee76 t1_iy5f9by wrote

Ok then, what's the problem? Chargeback, eat the $50 (or whatever the fee is over there), and don't panic.

> why wouldn't they be???

In the US our strongest protections come from a law called the "fair credit billing act" which doesn't apply to debit cards, checking accounts, etc. -- only to credit cards.

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