My friend couldn't use her own bank card without her bank's permission.

[matt819]

12. Check with the bank first

We use a business debit card throughout the US. A couple of years ago we had a similar problem, which was particularly embarrassing since we were trying to use it to pay for dinner with clients. Whoops. I called the bank the next day. It turns out they have a policy of disallowing debit card use in certain states where fraudulent use of these cards is high - Texas, Florida, and a handful of others. The block was as much for my protection as theirs. While debit cards do not enjoy the same protection as credit cards, my bank, at least, has refunded my card for fraudulent use a few times (probably skimmed at a gas station), but they want to limit these losses, and I can't blame them (community bank, the supposed good guys).

Once I learned of this, all I do is tell the bank when the card will be used out of state. Minor irritant, if that, and problem solved. By the way, they or the card processing company call every now and then when the card is flagged for what the system advises is unusual activity. Again, when they first started doing this, it was irritating. But after I thought about it I came to the conclusion that it's not a bad idea. Again, minor irritant, but in the overall scheme of things, one I can live with.

As for the snippy bank employee referred to in the post, I guess I am fortunate. I have a pretty good working relationship with my bank, and snippiness, on their part or mine, is not part of the equation.