When using your debt card at the checkout counter you are often asked "credit or debt". It is in reference to the way your purchase is processed. It will go through either way but one is more beneficial to the credit company that issued your bank card (example: Visa, MasterCard, etc..). Retailers are charged around 2 percent of your purchases total when you choose to sign a receipt rather then entering your PIN number. Which does not affect that purchase but you know it is the business way to pass the "cost" on to the consumer and that is a "cost".
Your main factor in deciding should be your bank. Some banks charge a point-of-sale fee for debt purchases. If your bank is one of the thirteen percent of banks that do charge this "POS" fee you should choose credit at the check-out counter. Just use your PIN for cash withdrawals. May retailers have their card swiping machines set to automatically prompt for a PIN. To change that so you sign for your purchase, hit the "cancel" button and choose the "credit" option.
For those that have a "POS fee" free bank, it is a matter of if you want cashback (that is if you can find a store that still gives cash back). If you do not want cashback consider choosing "credit" instead of debt because it may offer you more protection from fraudulent transactions and on the off chance you may have to return purchase. Of course, that really depends on your bank, if you are unsure contact your bank and ask.
* Also see if you can earn "rewards" by choosing "credit".
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