Debit card and Credit card

A debit card is linked to your checking account which also is called a check card that you can use like a credit card without the interest charges. Make sure there is money in your account. A credit card is used to charge things that you don't have money for which includes monthly interest charges on your balance. Be careful these cards can ruin your financial life.

All of the previous answers gave pretty good insight...  the only other thing to add is that when you make a purchase with your debit card yo u need to enter your pin # and in some cases the retailer may have a cash back option where you can increase the amount of the purchase and get the difference in cash.  When you choose a credit card no such dreaming is possible. Not that you would want to advance cash on a credit card anyway... as stated "read the fine print"  And finally, in some instances the bank tacks on a charge for using "debit" instead of the "credit" option for those debit cards that act as a credit card for the transaction. it used to be .25 or .75 per transaction, some banks still pratice this depending on if they pay for processing.  So when you're at the counter with your debit card with the VIsa or MC logo on it, and the store clerk asks "Debit or Credit?" choose "credit"  this won't require you entering a PIN and there will no surprise charges.  It will still copme directly from your checking account, but you just have the option of going to any retailer that accepts MC/ Visa. 

Credit cards you have to pay back to money you use to a company you have the credit card through and pay interest but you only get those with credit checks and stuff hints the credit card also if you do not pay it back on time it can screw  up your credit. The credit card in my opinion is that it is dangerous if you can not control yourself.However it is always nice to have an emergency only one . With a debit card it comes out of your bank account and you do not have to pay it back or pay extra. However you can you your debit card as a credit card and that means that you do not have to enter the pen and you just sign it but it still comes out of the money you have but you can get rewards and stuff from using it as a credit card as opposed to a debit card!!!

I was told by a bank teller that a debit card tends to be safer because you have to know the pin code whereas with a credit card you can just  hand it to the sales clerk (often (for me I have noticed MOST) times) without any request for ID of any kind whatsoever. Seems you could get pretty far without detection.

Good advice.  It took me about 5 years to clean up my credit cards.  Now,  everything is paid with cash and or debit card.  Icould not believethe mental relief that I had once I cleaned things up.  I have mtwo credit cards used only out of necissity and if the cards or card is used it is paid in full on receit ofthe nexrt statement.  Good Luck ,, it can be done.

Herb

A debit card deducts money from funds you already have in a checking account. A credit card will deduct money from funds your creditors hope you have by the time you get the credit card bill. lol Some debit cards DO earn points, I believe. It depends on which bank which use.

Some debit cards also allow you to use your card as a "credit" card even though the funds are already in your account. VISA check card is one of them, and thus you earn points which come along with credit card purchases. Your points can accumulate rapidly if you use this type of card for all your purchases, and can be redeemed for gift cards for products, services, etc.

Debit cards are paid up front from your back account. Credit cards are paid monthly by check or online banking.

A combo debit/credit card is better used as a "credit card" when making purchases, since the encryption from the card swipe machine onwards is more secure than as a debit card transaction. When entered as a "credit" transaction, no PIN number needs to be entered, displayed or otherwise observed while being used.