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Ten Places NOT to Use Your Debit Card

While credit cards and debit cards may look almost identical, not all plastic is the same. Since the debit card is a direct line to your bank account, it will be wise to avoid handing it over in some places.

Here are 10 places and situations where it can pay to leave that debit card in your wallet:

1. Online
   If you have problems with a purchase or the card number gets hijacked, a debit card is vulnerable because it happens to be linked to an account. This category also includes phone orders.

2. Big-ticket items
   With a big ticket item, a credit card is safer because it offers dispute rights if something goes wrong with the merchandise or the purchase. With a debit card, you have fewer protections.

3. Deposit required
   This is where you want to use a credit card instead of a debit, that way, the store has its security deposit, and you still have access to all of the money in your bank account.

4. Restaurants
   It's dangerous because you have so many people around and some establishments will approve the card for more than your purchase amount because, presumably, you intend to leave a tip.

5. You're a new customer
   Online or in the real world, if you're a first-time customer in a store, skip the debit card the first couple of times you buy.

6. Buy now, take delivery later
   Buying now but taking delivery days or weeks from now? A credit card offers that a debit card typically does not.

7. Recurring payments
   To protect yourself from over-limit fees, you may want to think about using a credit card for recurring payments.

8. Future travel
   If you're buying travel that you won't use for six months or making a reservation for a few weeks from now, you'll be out the money immediately.

9. Gas stations and hotels
   Some gas stations and hotels will place holds to cover customers who may leave without settling the entire bill.

10. Checkouts or ATMs that look 'off'
    Criminals are getting better with skimmers and planting them in places you'd never suspect - like ATM machines on bank property. So take a good look at the ATM. Make sure it doesn't look like it's been tampered with.

For more details, please go to the link: www.cnbc.com/id/35933882