These are the FTC's rules [1], I'm not sure if Visa or Mastercard can make them 'better' (give you a larger window). They have an interesting tidbit below their chart -
>If someone makes unauthorized transactions with your debit card number, but your card is not lost, you are not liable for those transactions if you report them within 60 days of your statement being sent to you.
Isn't it free to get a new card? That'd be the easier way than worrying.
Generally these days they are, but the problem is the money is removed is from your account by the time the charge appears, (at least a period of time), whereas on a credit card you have 30 days to review charges. This could cause overdrafts, etc. depending on timing and amount. Those too can generally be reversed, but the whole thing becomes more of a headache. I never use debit cards for any kind of recurring charges, and I avoid using them online in general.
The same is possible with a credit card - you can have your card maxed, get nailed with overage charges, declined transactions, etc. It's still a headache, but when I've had it happen to me I think I had the money restored within a few minutes of making the call.
Visa has a zero liability program for debit card - http://usa.visa.com/personal/security/visa_security_program/...
These are the FTC's rules [1], I'm not sure if Visa or Mastercard can make them 'better' (give you a larger window). They have an interesting tidbit below their chart -
>If someone makes unauthorized transactions with your debit card number, but your card is not lost, you are not liable for those transactions if you report them within 60 days of your statement being sent to you.
Isn't it free to get a new card? That'd be the easier way than worrying.
[1] http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0213-lost-or-stolen-cre...