16.12.2.Types of debit cards
Debit cards come in two varieties: online and offline.
- Online cards function like ATM cards, requiring
personal identification number (PIN) to initiate
the immediate transfer of funds from the user’s
bank account to the merchant's bank account.
In some countries, such as Canada, online
debit cards are the only type accepted
- Off-line cards do not require the use of a PIN.
Instead, when making a purchase, a signature
is required in the same way as traditional credit
card purchases. Several days later, funds to
cover the purchase are transferred from the
user’s bank to the merchant's bank. The
distinction between online and offline cards is
often blurred because most cards can be used
in both online and offline capacities