My comment on this subject is not a happy one. I was on vacation this last week in Oregon and my debt card # was stolen when I used it to make a purchase. Thank goodness Arvest was alert and noticed the activity and put a hold on my account. But with everything going to debt cards how does one protect their self from this happening??

Sharla - I'm sorry to hear your card # was stolen while traveling and am very glad our fraud department caught the unauthorized activity on your account.  They do a great job!

Unfortunately there will always be criminals who are constantly trying to steal card or account numbers by various methods.  The best way to protect yourself is to be vigilant in watching your account activity for anything that looks suspicious, and alert the bank immediately if you see anything that appears to be unauthorized.  Using online banking, or particularly Mobile Banking allows for the quickest and easiest way to check in on your account.

Using your debit card is still better than carrying large amounts of cash or using personal checks.  In the event fraud is detected on your card and reported, you are covered from loss with Visa's Zero Liability policy. 

Thanks for banking with us.

     I have had a debit card ever since I was 16 and had a job.  I have used my card an untold number of times between Arvest and the bank I used prior.  I just wrote my 199th check of all time.  I am 26 now, so over the last decade I have written approximately 200 checks.  I love the convenience of the debit card; and the transactions post to my online banking balance so quickly that I have a "real time" balance at my finger tips.  It only makes sense to use my debit card.

Check writing is a pain.

I stand in a line in, say, a supermarket, and someone is writing a check,

That's sometimes ok , because their script is usualy better & almost certainly faster than mine.

Then it's my turn.  First, I have to use that little platform they have for check writing.  (For those who've learned to write this way the platform's not a problem. But for those of my generation, who didn't grow up with it it's sometimes a handicap (my parents generation could'nt have used it at all.) Then, I write in the date,  the party to whom I write the check, the written amount, the numerical amount, my signature. Then, if I want to be particular, the specific item that I purchase.  By this time, the people behind me are developing ulcers.  The debit card is definately a benefit, especialy when time is limited, or one is handicapped.

We just expanded into manufacturing personal checks.  Huh?  What?  Why would we do that?  People still use checks?!  Checks are DEAD!

It is true that check usage is declining 4-6% annually.  However, according to the Federal Reserve, 30+ billion checks are written annually.  The Deluxe Corporation expects checks to continue to be an essential part of their business even though their direct-to-consumer sales are declining 10%+ annually.  This represents $190 million annually and $1 billion annually if sales through banks are included.  You can safely double these numbers by including Harland Clarke.

Don't stick a fork in us just yet!