debit cards

[linapio]

why cant i apply for a debit card? i'm 17 and a half and am fed up with having to trot off to a cash machine to withdraw my money in cash. I just recently asked this question at my local Barclays branch and was told that i couldn't until i had a proper job as i might go into debt! EH? HELLO? i didn't know you could go into debt with a debit card. confused and angry!

[Harley]

I am not 100% sure but doesn't a debit card also act as a cheque guarantee card? If so then any transaction up to 50 quid is guaranteed by the bank and unlike your cash card your account balance is not debited straight away, transactions are batched by the retailer and go through the system later.

[FP]

Linapio, I know that HSBC allowed my son a Solo Card from 16, which can be used in cash machines and at a great deal of retailers. However, I do see how you feel. Perhaps it would be useful if banks were to allow Debit cards and not cheque books - cheque books are rarely used anyway. In that way you could not go into debt by paying by cheque. In my opinion, it's just as easy to get into debt if you are over 17 with a 'proper' job.

[MrsCheeks]

If your card is a Solo Card, as another member mentions this can be used at literally thousands of retail outlets AND you can get chasback using it too. I have to use a cashpoint to withdraw money from my bank anyway, as the Halifax & Bank of Scotland introduced a minimum limit of �300 for over the counter withdrawls a few years ago. Saves so much time using the cashpoint, so why worry?

[stevie21]

Normally with debit card payments your bank "authorises" the payment and gets the chance to approve or decline it (depending on your balance). In some cases, if it's quite a small amount then it doesn't go thru this authorisation and the money just comes out of your account without the bank getting the chance to decline it. This way, it's possible to spend money that you don't have. You should still be able to get a Solo or Electron card at 17 though.

[stevie21]

Incidentally, you can still get into debt with either of the cards mentioned when every single payment is authorised (or declined) but that's another story.

[PFA]

A debit card is a "payment guaranteed card" which may be subject to a credit check. Implying you are not above the legal age (18) for any form of credit/guaranteed payment system it is highly unlikly that you will get a debit card this early. However turning 18 does not automatically give you the availability of a debit card. Also a CRA / CCJ plays a part in it. I.e. Credit referencing.

And if you go into debt below the age of 18 - the bank could  be liable for it.