How does a debit card work?

Question

For examle, my friend has a chase checking card, but when she puts it in the ATM, it always asks whether she wants to withdraw from her checking or savings account. When you buy with a card like this like at a store, does it take the money from the checking account or the savings one? Thanks alot guys : ), im new at this

Answer 1

It works like a credit card, but it takes from your checking account.

Answer 2

it takes it from the checking account.

Answer 3

The card will be tied to an account at your bank.  The particular account(s) is (are) selected when you get the card.  When you use a debit card, the money is transferred out of your account and put into the merchant's account, just like cash.

This can happen pretty quickly.  I've made debit purchases and the debit is shown on my bank's web site within an hour.  So, make sure you track debits in your check book to make sure you don't get overdrawn.