When your credit card gets hacked, you dispute the charges, the bank reverses them, and you move on. Inconvenient? Yes. But at least the money isn’t gone forever.
With a debit card, it’s different.
When fraudsters drain your checking account, that’s your actual money. Rent. Groceries. Gas. Gone. And when you call your bank in a panic, you get the same cold answer:
“Sorry, we’ve investigated and found no error.”
It feels like the rules are stacked against you. But here’s the truth: the rules are different — but they’re in your favor.
The Law Banks Don’t Want You to Know About
Debit cards are covered by the Electronic Funds Transfer Act (EFTA). This federal law forces banks to:
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Reimburse you for most unauthorized charges.
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Investigate your claim promptly and in good faith.
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Limit your liability, even if you didn’t catch the fraud right away.
Banks love to pretend debit fraud isn’t protected the way credit fraud is. That’s a lie. The EFTA is your shield.
Why Banks Deny Debit Fraud Claims
Simple: it costs them money. When your checking account is hacked, the bank has to write you a check. So they:
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Hide behind “policy” instead of federal law.
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Claim the transaction “must have been you.”
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Stall, hoping you’ll give up.
The Real Difference Between Debit and Credit
The real difference isn’t legal protection — it’s how much pain the fraud causes you. Credit card fraud hits the bank’s money. Debit fraud hits your money. That’s why victims of debit fraud suffer more stress, bounced bills, and sleepless nights.
But don’t let the bank turn their problem into yours.
How to Fight Back
If your bank denied your debit fraud claim:
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Dispute again, in writing. Put them on notice.
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Keep records of every denial, email, or phone call.
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Call a lawyer who enforces the EFTA.
At The Cardoza Law Corporation, we sue banks that break the law, recover your stolen money, and repair the damage they caused. And here’s the kicker: the bank pays our fees — not you.
👉 Call today. Don’t let your bank pretend debit fraud isn’t covered.
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