Debit vs. credit cards: Which is safer to swipe?    @melhicken
December 20, 2013: 6:25 AM ET 4 steps to ensure your credit info
is safe   That's because debit and credit cards are treated
differently by consumer protection laws. Under federal law, your
personal liability for fraudulent charges on a credit card can't
exceed $50. But if a fraudster uses your debit card, you could
be liable for $500 or more, depending on how quickly you report
it.  "I know people love their debit cards. But man oh man, they
are loaded with holes when it comes to fraud," said John
Ulzheimer, credit expert at, a credit management website.
Plus, if someone uses your credit card, the charge is often
credited back to your account immediately after it's reported,
Ulzheimer said.  Yet, if a crook uses your debit card, not only
can they drain your bank account, but it can take up to two
weeks for the bank to investigate the fraud and reimburse your
account.  "In the meantime, you might have to pay your rent,
your utilities and other b