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ATMs, debit cards and smart cards
 Automated
teller machine cards have become as common as a driver's license,
but there's a difference. Put the ATM card in the right machine,
push some buttons and voila -- out comes money. Debit cards
let you pay for items without having to even go to the bank, and
smart cards, while a success in Europe, haven't caught on in most
of the U.S. yet. Worries about privacy, theft and surcharges are
real, though, and this how-to guide will help you understand the
new technology that may someday make money obsolete.
ATM cards
The automated teller machine has transformed banking, and given
people access to their money 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
But be careful: know what you can and can't do with an ATM card
-- and watch out for fees.
Debit cards
Getting a debit card can be easier than getting a credit card, and
it can be convenient, but be careful: lose it and someone could
clean you out.
Smart cards
Also known as the stored-value card, smart cards are used on college
campuses and other closed environments, and may someday be as ubiquitous
as ATM cards, but they haven't caught on in the United States yet.
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