"Real" debit cards from DR banks?

InsanelyOne · #1 11-05-2009, 11:48 AM

Do any banks issue debit cards that function with or without a pin... like the ones issued from US banks? I just opened up an account at Banco Popular in Bavaro (it took 2 tries.. the first branch I tried said my reference letter from my US bank was insufficient... went to another branch and they didn't even question it). When I got the debit card for the account I quickly realized it's a Maestro card so it only works with a pin. I suppose they do this because the credit card style debit cards (the ones with the Visa or MasterCard logo) are too susceptible to fraud?

bienamor · #2 11-05-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsanelyOne

Do any banks issue debit cards that function with or without a pin... like the ones issued from US banks? I just opened up an account at Banco Popular in Bavaro (it took 2 tries.. the first branch I tried said my reference letter from my US bank was insufficient... went to another branch and they didn't even question it). When I got the debit card for the account I quickly realized it's a Maestro card so it only works with a pin. I suppose they do this because the credit card style debit cards (the ones with the Visa or MasterCard logo) are too susceptible to fraud?

decided to answer with a pm

sheepshanx · #3 11-05-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsanelyOne

Do any banks issue debit cards that function with or without a pin... like the ones issued from US banks? I just opened up an account at Banco Popular in Bavaro (it took 2 tries.. the first branch I tried said my reference letter from my US bank was insufficient... went to another branch and they didn't even question it). When I got the debit card for the account I quickly realized it's a Maestro card so it only works with a pin. I suppose they do this because the credit card style debit cards (the ones with the Visa or MasterCard logo) are too susceptible to fraud?

Maestro is Mastercard ansd I m not sure what you mean but my debit style credt card requires a PIN at a POS location and is accepted as a credit card at other style transactions.

InsanelyOne · #4 11-05-2009, 12:33 PM

My debit card from my US bank (which is attached to my checking account) allows me to use the card anywhere I can use a credit card...even online. It was my understanding the Maestro card is limited to point-of-sale transactions and requires either a signature or PIN code. (Sorry, I was a little off in my explanation in my original post).

Visa makes a distinction between them calling the credit card style card a "Visa Debit" and the point-of-sale only card "Visa Electron". MasterCard is more nebulous about the whole thing in that Maestro cards work differently in different countries.

So I guess what I'm trying to confirm is that the debit card issued by Banco Popular is a point-of-sale only card.... I can't use it to purchase items online. When I tried to get clarification at the bank the woman just gave me a blank stare and didn't seem to know what I was talking about.

Chirimoya · #5 11-05-2009, 12:51 PM

Point of sale and ATM card only, yes.

InsanelyOne · #6 11-05-2009, 12:51 PM

Thanks for the clarification!

rubio_higuey · #7 11-05-2009, 01:12 PM

Banco BHD issues Visa DEBIT, and Banco Leon has VISA PREPAID which can be used online for Paypal, etc. The only thing Leon card is not embossed which means it cannot be used in manul card imprinters, but can be used online, etc.

http://www.bhd.com.do/app/do/persona...et.aspx?id=186
http://www.leon.com.do/prepago.asp