ATM Card

[the g man]

How do you get an ATM Card ? do you just go into the bank and ask for one?

[vehelpfulguy]

An ATM card is usually a debit card for a bank account (as opposed to a credit card which is a different thing).

You are only likely to get an ATM debit card if you

a) Have a bank account (and not a brand new one)

b) Have a regular amount going in (salary etc)

c) Proved you can manage money (ie dont keep going overdrawn)

If you satisfy all three of those above then just go into your back and ask if you can have a card.

Note that to use the ATM debit card in a shop, or withdraw money from a hole in the wall machine, you have to have money in your account.

This differs from a credit card, where you can spend money you have not got, but you pay interest on that, and they help you to get in debt.

[Bellringer]

ATMs charge you for taking out your own money. Better off buying your groceries at a supermarket, paying with a debit card and getting cash back as well.

[rojash]

Most banks will be happy to give you a debit card, as it's virtually impossible to overdraw (as your balance is checked before the cash is issued).

[simsfreq]

ATMs don't usually charge as long as you're using a debit card. And the law in the UK now is that if they do charge, they have to have a clear message on them which warns you before you get money out.

Yeah it should be pretty simple to get an ATM card. You'll need a bank account (Not a building society account) - just walk into any branch of any high street bank, they're usually helpful.

Oh you have to be over 11 but I'm assuming you are ^_^

[Stu in USA]

Since when has the US acronym "ATM" been used in the UK? Last time I was in England it was "cashpoint".