> Credit card companies have a lot more leverage than individuals to lean on companies to respect their own return policies. Not just leverage, but an obligati

> Credit card companies have a lot more leverage than individuals to lean on companies to respect their own return policies. Not just leverage, but an obligation. Or rather, even if your debit card says Visa or Mastercard on it, they have no legal obligation to get your money back. You don't have an obligation to pay the merchant, but the impetus is on you to get your rightful money back (the debit card company may help, but they are not required to). With a credit card, they don't exactly have an obligation either, but this time it works in your favor - it's the credit card's money, not yours, and while you still have no obligation to pay the merchant, this time it's the company's money that is on the line (the collateral, so to speak). So they will fight tooth-and-nail to get it back, because technically if they don't, they can't collect any money from you. (They may still try, but then you have to weigh the cost of a legal battle with them as well). Think of this in the context of theft/fraudulent use of your card, and you'll see why debit cards are very risky indeed. (Remember that, even if you manage to get chargebacks on your debit card, you may still be liable for the fees for the temporary, eventually-reversed overdrafts!)