4 ms·

Maybe it's because I'm from Europe, but I don't see what's so special about that. Isn't the debit card number just the bank account number?

• mtamizi 12y ago
  There's a few differences: 1. You have to hunt down a check or track down your account number and routing number from your bank where you have your debit card in your wallet. 2. We've found that customers are more skittish to share their bank account than their debit card number. I can try to guess why, but that's at least what we see. 3. Bank account numbers can't be verified in real-time (takes 2-3 business days) where debit card numbers can. This can lead to big issues the first time a customer gets paid and a poor initial experience.
  • Osmium 12y ago
    > 1. You have to hunt down a check or track down your account number and routing number from your bank where you have your debit card in your wallet. In the UK at least, your account number and sort code are also on your debit card?
    • steveklabnik 12y ago
      US debit cards look identical to credit cards, except they say "debit" next to the card brand. No account or routing numbers.
• mrjatx 12y ago
  NOoooooo not even remotely. That would be terrible. The debit card number is a layer of abstraction that allows you to HIDE your bank account number from retailers. If you give someone your bank account number they can do whatever they want until you shut down that BANK account. Someone steals your debit card or the number it's super simple to get that changed and replaced. Someone steals your bank account number it's a nightmare.
  • ginko 12y ago
    > Someone steals your debit card or the number it's super simple to get that changed and replaced. Someone steals your bank account number it's a nightmare. So account numbers are essentially secret? Over here, they're like phone numbers. You need them to transfer money to someone else.
    • mrjatx 12y ago
      They aren't secret- some places require them for ACH direct transfers. Rent and mortgage nearly always requires it. The thing is you should keep it secure and NOT use it if you have the option to go another route.
  • battani 12y ago
    If someone steals your bank account number and charges you, you call your bank to reverse the transaction and block any future transactions from the thief :) did that yesterday, works like a charm.
    • mrjatx 12y ago
      I've never heard of banks completely blocking a company from attempting a charge. That's good, thankfully I've not experienced that.
  • vidarh 12y ago
    In most of the world, giving someone your bank account number for them to pay into is routine, and won't give them the ability to do anything with your account other than send you money.
  • tass 12y ago
    I'm very confused about this. Does that mean you should NEVER pay anyone by cheque since it has your account number printed on it? Why is the USA one of the only first-world countries that have such prevalent usage of cheques, but it's seen as so dangerous to disclose a bank account number? What can someone do with just a bank account number, and why isn't that problem being fixed?