Banking while living in an RV?

[rvpopeye]

YOU can get cats in a row ?????

I use a debit card and credit unions with shared branching (tons of CUs allow you to use them as if they were the one you have an acct at),,,,,,I actually have two accts.

 

[ArtW]

A friend of mine just had a $123 purchase made from his debit card last month, it has a Visa logo, he did not get that money back, and will not
Just because it had a MC or Visa logo on it does not mean it has the same protections as a credit card, check with your financial institution re that particular bit of protection, as some do, and some do not

 

[#1BonBonQueen]

Ducks are the last thing I need.  Cats, now that is another story.  

You need more Cats GotSmart?
I could probably get a few for you on my way West next month, if you really, really want more. LOL

 

[Queen]

A friend of mine just had a $123 purchase made from his debit card last month, it has a Visa logo, he did not get that money back, and will not
Just because it had a MC or Visa logo on it does not mean it has the same protections as a credit card, check with your financial institution re that particular bit of protection, as some do, and some do not

Happens here all the time with the college kids, they leave their debit card on the bar and someone else has a party with it.  It's probably a 60/40 shot at getting the money back, if you are deemed "negligent" the bank doesn't have to pay.

 

[#1BonBonQueen]

I will be checking out the in's and out's at our CU, as that is where we have been banking since '86.
I will ask the questions about the DC and it being protected from theft, and if I can use it at other CU's around the country, or if so, which ones.
Thanks y'all, you have been a great help in giving me the tips and tricks to ask about, and to find more information about usage.
Sharon

 

[ArtW]

Queen he was incautious enough to give it out over the phone to someone presenting themselves as his medicine supplier, fortunately all they bought was shoes via website, but the bank say so sorry, no, you pay

 

[#1BonBonQueen]

ArtW, I can understand why they wouldn't  pay his money back, after all, it was his negligence and not the DC's fault.
I would probably not want to repay them either, if I were the DC holder.

 

[DrJean]

I would like to know of any CU or bank that covers debit card theft.  FWIK they don't... this is part of the FDIC system and theft via debit cards are not covered by it.   I refuse to have one and check monthly to be sure someone didn't open one "on my account" literally and figuratively.

Which brings me to the next point:  Chase, and I assume other banks very soon, offers now a no-card atm cash option.   Now how is that safe?  How are they going to cover theft for that?   I hope it's an opt-out option if they don't have insurance to cover it.  You WOULD think that if they have someone else on video using it...but all that person has to say is you gave them permission...and it's a civil matter in court. No thanks.

Also be aware that there is no insurance on items in Safe Deposit Boxes.... MAYBE up to $5k in some circumstances (like the bank is blown away by a tornado???)

Paypal connected to your bank account is also not covered under theft FWIK. (I could be wrong but probably not.)  You give paypal permission to access your account.  If paypal employee decides to clean your bank account out we can only  hope that it's traceable and they have insurance to cover it.   I sure wouldn't link my bank account to ANY place online.... unless it's the bank who is responsible?

One more thing on using debit cards.  Read the "rules" that come with it and when they update them, and the privacy statements.  Often you will not be charged a fee if you get cash back from say a certain grocery store where you make a purchase and get money out of your account at the same time (this is in the discretion of the store whether they charge you or not).  Why use the atm outside the store when you can spend that fee on something inside the store?

I would think that those who live in vans ( well, I really think everyone)  should have credit blocks on their credit bureau accounts.  This means ONLY those companies with which you have done business can access your current credit rating/status.  There are thousands of businesses who scan through and then mail you offers for credit cards...and these are easily stolen from the mail, plus most are junk mail to me anyway.  Just say no.

On your bank accounts you should have an option to receive emails on your smart phones (should you have them)... setting a limit of xx amount of money any time a payment is made over that amount (I use autopay for most of my bills) is good and anything over that you receive an email stating what was just transacted over that amount.

For credit cards use a temporary credit card number that is linked to the real one.  Set up "virtual credit card numbers" with your provider... some do charge a fee but I think it's usually for the whole year.

USE RFID wallets or at the very least "rfid sleeves" to block a scanner from reading ALL your private info on credit cards, passports, driver's licenses etc.  These scanners can be bought on the internet for $20 bucks and can scan what's in your wallet from 20 feet away.   Don't take the card out until you put it into/through the machine and quickly put it back in the sleeve/wallet.

Usually if you have a direct deposit on a regular basis the bank will give you free basic checking and savings accounts.  I have mine linked right now, with an overdraft protection but once I'm on the road I will cut that link.  (I won't have house bills!)  

IDK about and won't discuss keeping any large amounts of cash on the RV!  But even a small RV might need a small safe for some cash and a weapon perhaps?   Think "end times" desperation and how long can you live on the cash you have on hand, say, if the banks shut or the internet goes out even for a week?  (The US no longer has control of the internet and there has been some censoring already btw).    What about the campsites that only accept cash?  Having lived in hurricane country, we know the keep "lots" of small bills on hand during the season.   Even a $20 might be too much for a store selling water...as most people don't have $5s and singles. 

I would like to return some to the barter system...and I really like Bob's "free table items" idea... leave what you don't need, take something you do....  From what I've been reading up on all this...  if you have coffee to trade you can probably trade for nearly anything else you need.


If I think of anything else, I'll let you know  ... hahahhahah   sorry if that's TMI.

 

[highdesertranger]

about 5 years ago I had some fraudulent charges on my DC. I went to my bank, "Chase" they refunded all the money and issued me a new card. highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

With credit cards, there's an actual Federal law that limits your liability to $50 max

There is no Federal law regarding debit cards, so each bank sets their own policies about them.  Said policies being subject to change at their whim. 

So anecdotal evidence of the "My bank did this" or "My cousin's bank wouldn't do that" are fairly meaningless.

For all I know, it might depend on how much the loss is.  If it's fairly low, they may make it good in the interest of good customer relations.  If it's a lot of money, they may decide your good opinion ain't worth it.

If you have a debit card, it' safest if you assume that if it's compromised, everything in your bank account is permanently gone.

 

[#1BonBonQueen]

I really do appreciate all of your information you have posted here, am not "quoting" but I am sure others have read it too.
I will take into consideration all of your points of interest and check into them.
I don't have a bank account linked to my PP account, I pay that as I need to.
You really have a lot of great points and some I am sure that others haven't even thought of.
NO not TMI.  Great insight!!!!
Thanks!!!!

Sharon

 

[#1BonBonQueen]

about 5 years ago I had some fraudulent charges on my DC.  I went to my bank,  "Chase" they refunded all the money and issued me a new card.  highdesertranger

HDR, that is a good thing!!
I know almost everyone else has a DC and I will get used to it, I am more into the Cash in Hand type of buying, if I don't have the money,  I don't buy it. lol But I guess I am going to learn the "ways of the world" at least to a certain degree.
I really did talk and ask a lot of questions to the associate at my local CU and she answered all my questions, and I am satisfied with the answers.
I am always cautious about my cards, have bought an RFID purse, to carry all the stuff in it, to keep others from copying my info, whether I know about it or not.
I believe in staying safe, and if this helps us to keep others out of our business, without my knowledge at least, I will keep them out.
Thanks!!!!!

Sharon

 

[#1BonBonQueen]

With credit cards, there's an actual Federal law that limits your liability to $50 max


For all I know, it might depend on how much the loss is.  If it's fairly low, they may make it good in the interest of good customer relations.  If it's a lot of money, they may decide your good opinion ain't worth it.

If you have a debit card, it' safest if you assume that if it's compromised, everything in your bank account is permanently gone.

I know about that law OP and I hope I never have to find out if it works or not. 
My newly acquired DC will be kept in my new RFID purse, and not used unless I have to use it.  I just needed a way to be better able to access our money, the "real stuff" without having to come home to do it, and also without finance charges like on a credit card.

Thanks for all the information!!!!!

Sharon

 

[DrJean]

Don't they make refillable cards? I mean, don't banks offer (or maybe the other credit companies) offer plastic cards that are like the gift cards at stores (except no one has written down all the numbers and use the money as soon as they are activated and then you get squat)... that you fill from your bank account use like a credit card? The stores don't know it isn't a credit card, and if it's stolen you only lose what's on the card...and no need for atm nor the fees?

Perhaps it's refillable through online access to your account, linked? At worst it's refillable at a bank branch?

I'm sure if your bank provides this type of card, then it has a number on it and if stolen you can cancel it perhaps in time? I have to look into this---does anyone know?

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

They're called prepaid cards.  Consumer Reports has some good info on them, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

http://www.consumerreports.org/prepaid-cards/prepaid-cards-smart-way-to-pay-with-plastic/
http://www.consumerreports.org/prepaid-cards/prepaid-cards-smart-way-to-pay-with-plastic/
[url=http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/prepaid-cards/buying-guide.htm]http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/prepaid-cards/buying-guide.htm[/url]

 

[#1BonBonQueen]

Yes these may be a good choice and I may also reduce myself to buying/using the prepaid cards. I just have a bigger problem with buying something that I can get free, at my bank. I did read the pages you posted Optimistic Paranoid. They have some great information about PC and how you can use them, and their usefulness too.
Thanks for the links!!
Sharon