Visa debit same protection as Credit card?

buckman

Have seen conflicting things on the BBC that any card carrying a visa sign even debit cards, has some protection against items purchased and then not turning up due to the firm going bust etc?

I am about to make some big purchases but have an Abbey Visa debit and a Nationwide Visa debit card which i want to use...

I dont have the option of a credit card so just want to know how protected I am if the worst happens???

dazza.mk

With Credit Cards you have legal 'Section 75' protection. With Debit cards you have the possibility of using the Visa 'internal' chargeback system, Martin covers it briefly in the MFI Admin article.
Basically its not as fullproof as section 75 (and many people you speak to at the bank may not initially be aware of it), but it does offer a possibility to get your money back.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/mfi-administration-help

buckman

Thnaks for this - will take a look


I have just called Abbey and they have something called a "Visa Disputes" office that if you dont recieve anything that you paid for on their visa debit that you can claim for a full refund.

They clarified that Abbey card is protected...

NickX

The main difference is that the Section 75 protection offered by Credit Cards is a legal obligation so you are pretty much guaranteed to get your money back in the event of a breach of contract.

The VISA "chargeback" system is not legally binding and is offered by VISA as a gesture of goodwill. So there is not that cast iron guarantee but to my knowledge it is usually successful. It can also apply to Credit Card purchases under £100.