Can a Place Charge Your Debit Card If You Didn't Provide a Signature?

A debit card allows the holder to withdraw money from a bank checking or savings account. You can use a debit card to withdraw cash, such as from automatic teller machines, or to make purchases at retail establishments. Companies that issue debit cards use a number of security measures to ensure that the person using the card has authorization to do so, including requiring that the person enter a specific code or write a signature.

Debit Cards

The terms "debit card" and "check card" are interchangeable. However, when an individual uses a true debit card to make a purchase, he must enter his personal identification number, or PIN, for the system to accept the purchase. If he enters the correct number, it will allow him to withdraw money from his account.

Check Cards

Check cards resemble debit cards. However, some check cards have credit card company logos, such as Visa or MasterCard. Any location that takes credit cards will accept these cards, too. Like a debit card, a check card links to a bank account, and withdraws money from this account when used. However, when the user pays with a check card, a merchant generally asks for a signature instead of a PIN.

Credit or Debit?

Whether a merchant will ask for a pin or a signature depends on how the cardholder wishes to process the transaction -- as credit or debit. In both cases, the user takes money out of the same account; the difference is how the payment goes through. A credit card company processes a credit transaction, and the retailer will ask for a signature. If the retailer handles it as a debit transaction, a bank does the processing and the retailer will demand a PIN.

Online Purchases

In some cases, particularly if the cardholder purchases a product or service online or over the phone, he won't have to provide a signature. Instead, as an alternative security precaution, the cardholder will offer the retailer a security code listed on the back of the card. Usually, it is the last three digits of a string of pale gray numbers. By providing this code, the cardholder gives evidence that he is physically holding the card.