I move roughly US$4,000 per month from my checking account to pay different bills and transfer money online to other US-based banks. I've never been hit with fraud.
Granted.... The only time I use my debit card is to withdraw money at the ATM, and I only use ATM machines at the local bank branches.
Using your debit card elsewhere is asking for trouble; whether in DR or elsewhere. It's too easy to rig the machine with a mag stripe reader and a wifi transceiver. You won't know right away, but your number will probably sit along with others at some database for weeks and months after it was collected, and you'll get hit when least expected.
I don't know what the regulations are in DR, but in the US if a credit card is hit with fraud, you're off the hook for the balance. With a debit card, it will take several days to get your money. For that headache alone, I personally prefer letting my credit cards take the risk and keep the debit card safe and sound in the wallet.
Granted.... The only time I use my debit card is to withdraw money at the ATM, and I only use ATM machines at the local bank branches.
Using your debit card elsewhere is asking for trouble; whether in DR or elsewhere. It's too easy to rig the machine with a mag stripe reader and a wifi transceiver. You won't know right away, but your number will probably sit along with others at some database for weeks and months after it was collected, and you'll get hit when least expected.
I don't know what the regulations are in DR, but in the US if a credit card is hit with fraud, you're off the hook for the balance. With a debit card, it will take several days to get your money. For that headache alone, I personally prefer letting my credit cards take the risk and keep the debit card safe and sound in the wallet.