Why Using Credit Cards Can Safeguard South Dakotans Against Fraud

Ah, what a wonderful world filled with fruadersters we live in, don't you love it?

It seems like every week someone has a story about spotting mysterious charges on their bank account after a quick stop for gas, an online purchase, or dinner out. Unfortunately, credit card fraud has become one of those unpleasant parts of modern life, right up there with construction season and accidentally hitting every red light on 41st Street.

Dakota News Now reports that, according to an article from Motley Fool Money, choosing a credit card over a debit card for certain purchases can offer significantly better protection if your information is stolen.

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What makes Credit Cards better?

Federal law limits your liability for unauthorized credit card charges to $50, and many credit card companies don't make you pay anything at all.

Debit cards operate under different rules. If you don't report a stolen debit card within two business days, your potential liability can climb to $500. Wait longer than 60 days, and you could be responsible for every dollar taken from your account.

That's a huge difference when your checking account is on the line.

Here's a BIG bonus. Rewards.

Americans earned an estimated $47.5 billion in credit card rewards during 2024, nearly double what they earned in 2020. That averages about $228 per cardholder, enough money to help cover a few tanks of gas or a grocery run at Hy-Vee.

So, Where Are the Five Places You Should Use a Credit Card?

According to Motley Fool Money, these are the purchases where a credit card is the smarter choice:

1. Gas Stations

Gas pumps remain one of the most common places for criminals to install card-skimming devices. If your information gets stolen while filling up in Sioux Falls, Brookings, Mitchell, or anywhere across South Dakota, a credit card keeps thieves away from your checking account while the fraudulent charges are investigated.

2. Travel Reservations

Whether you're booking a flight, reserving a hotel in the Black Hills, or planning a family vacation, credit cards typically offer stronger fraud protection, travel benefits, and rewards that debit cards simply can't match.

3. Online Shopping

Even legitimate retailers experience data breaches from time to time. Shopping online with a credit card gives you another layer of protection if your card number ends up in the wrong hands.

4. Restaurants and Bars

Most servers are completely trustworthy, but once your card leaves your hand, you lose sight of it. If someone were to clone your card, it's much easier to dispute fraudulent charges on a credit card than to recover money pulled directly from your bank account.

5. Big-Ticket Purchases

Buying a new TV, laptop, appliance, or other expensive item? A credit card often provides purchase protection, extended warranties, and a much easier path for disputing charges if something goes wrong with a transaction.

Debit cards absolutely have their place, especially for ATM withdrawals and keeping everyday spending in check. But when it comes to purchases that carry a higher fraud risk, a credit card is usually the safer, more secure play.

Let's be honest: we all know scammers are working overtime these days to relieve us of our hard-earned pay. Let's not make things any easier for them.

10 Most Dangerous Cities in South Dakota

Cities on the east and west side of the Missouri River have made the latest list of South Dakota's Most Dangerous Cities for 2021.

Roadsnacks recently released its most 'Dangerous Cities' list and here in The Mount Rushmore state there are a few surprises, especially at the top. To determine the most dangerous cities in the state, Roadsnacks looked at the FBI's report on the latest violent crime, along with property crime statistics.

And surprisingly, the town with the most murders per capita in the state has less than 3,000 residents. Take a look at the list below.

For a look at the detailed list, visit roadsnacks.com Story Source: Roadsncaks