I use my ATM card far more than any other card. I had one instance where the ATM card number got stolen (not the card). Because I had overdraft protection on my checking account, the thief got all my checking account money and 1/2 of my savings account before the credit union locked the account. Two weeks later, I had ALL my money back.
I cancelled my overdraft protection. It wasn't like I needed it, so why have it for the thieves benefit.
But I still use my ATM all the time. I rarely use my credit cards. In 20 odd years, I've had one problem with my ATM - I've had multiple problems with my credit card numbers being stolen.
2oldman - my point is just that what aggravates one person will protect another person. It's impossible to find a solution that never backfires - you try to find a solution that backfires as little as possible. I've known multiple instances when the card being locked in the ATM has stopped a thief. I've known far fewer instances when it backfired.
And as you point out, there's always something posted that makes folks run for the hills - when in reality, it's not that common an occurrence and liberally applied common sense, logic, and proper attention will prevent much of it from happening.
