Are ATM and debit cards the same?

Question

if not can you use your ATM card to purchase things online and at stores?

Answer 1

they are the same

Answer 2

It depends. If the bank allows you to use it not just for cash withdrawal... you may.

Most of the biggest bank today, allows their customers to make their ATM cards flexible for paying over the counter products.  Some still don't. For better knowledge about your card, ask your bank about it.

Answer 3

No, they are not the same.  An ATM card can only be used in an ATM to access your funds on deposit at the bank.  It cannot be swiped through a card reader at a store to pay for purchases.  It cannot be used online.  It is not acceptable for PayPal or other payment processors, etc.  If you have a savings account, you can get an ATM card for it, but not a debit card due to federal banking regulations.

A debit card looks something like a Visa or MasterCard credit card.  It will have an MC or Visa logo.  It can be used in many types of stores to pay for purchases with the amount automatically deducted from your linked checking account.  It can be used for PayPal, or used similarly to a credit card online, etc.  The difference between the debit card and the credit card is the debit card is limited to funds already on deposit with the bank.  No credit.

Answer 4

An ATM card is a debit card.You can make purchases any place that accepts them. I use mine to pay for almost everything, including online and paying through paypal when I buy on Ebay.

Answer 5

Yes and no.  

Types of cards an how each work.

In the United States.

We have a restricted atm cards. This only works at your banks atm

We have an atm cards that will work at just atms (However, this card is becoming obsolete)

We have an atm cards that will work at atms and merchants.

We have debit cards that will work at atms and merchants.

These type cards above can be assigned to a checking or a savings account. However, some savings account and certain types checking accounts have a monthly limit of 4 transactions. These cards above can only be used by entering a pin.

We also have a debit cards with either a MasterCard or Visa symbol (some people still refer to this as an advanced atm card or a check card.) This card is usually assigned to a checking account with unlimited transactions.

These cards can be used as a pin transaction or a signature transaction. To use it as a signature transaction the place must accepted MasterCard or Visa. However, some places in the U.S. can now refuse to process theses types of debit card as a signature transaction do to the merchant lawsuits. However, most merchants try to steer you to use the pin but won’t deny the signature transaction. Banks try to steer you to use it as a signature transaction. Some banks even have pin transactions fees.

A pin based only atm card can be hooked to a unlimited checking account.  This can work at merchant that take pin based atm cards.  Just make sure your bank will not charge you a pin transaction fee if you get this type of card.

A debit card is not a credit card but can work like one. The money comes from your checking account in most cases.