Using the ATMs in Italy

I have never heard such a thing--what would the alternative to using a debit card to withdraw cash be? Did they state what the concern was?
Obviously don't withdraw hundreds at a time, and be prudent about where you withdraw. We use a credit card occasionally for hotels and dinners, but I have never had any issue using a debit card to withdraw cash.

They said they do not recommend using a debit card

Then how else are you supposed to get money?

They may mean not to use the debit card for purchases. That would be advise I agree with. Just use the Debit card to get the cash you will need from bank operated ATMs in Europe. This will give you the best exchange rate possible. Depending on the fees your credit union may charge, per use or percentage, you will have to decide whether fewer large withdrawals work better or more frequent smaller withdrawals. Also check what your daily withdrawal limit is on the debit card. If the amount seems low, ask if it can be increased. Also, if the two of you have separate accounts at different banks, take both cards with you. That way, in case one gets suspended or lost the other one will allow for you to still get cash.

ATMs do not allow you to withdraw from a savings account

That is true. While most ATMs you find in the US do offer account selection, those in Europe do not. They default to checking with no option offered to change it. If the only account you have connected to your debit card is savings and you do not have a checking account, that should work.

Spot on by Mark. I never use a debit card in Europe except to withdraw cash. Credit or cash on purchases. Heavily rely on credit card and little cash.

Use it only to get money at ATMs. How do they think all Europeans and travellers there get cash in the nation's currency? Your Credit Union gave you incorrect information.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I thought that is what I read, but getting last-minute jitters when hearing about a potential problem!!

Yes this has come up a few times here in this forum with some extensive discussion. Mark is most likely correct, that whoever you talked to probably did not understand what you intended. It is true that debit card accounts used for credit dont have the legal protections that credit cards do, and they probably thought this what you meant. If there is a phone number on the back of your cars for fraud or customer service, I would call that number and discuss specifically ATM (bancomats in Italy) withdrawals with them. If you talked to someone at your local branch office its pretty likely they don't have any experience with foreign travel issues.

Its a good idea to have a backup - each of you having a debit card from different banks. Also ask them for a non-toll free number to call if there is a problem - 800 numbers dont work overseas (from experience).

Americans are covered by the federal Electronic Fund Transfer Act (government at work) which limits your liability against unauthorized debit card transactions. That said, since your debit card is connected to your checking account, fraudulent draining of your checking account would be at best inconvenient. If you use your CU checking account for "Bill Pay" and automatic EFT payments, going to a zero balance because of fraudulent activity would be a bit more than inconvenient.

While a chip and pin debit card seems secure, my wife's Schwab cash account debit card (that she only uses for travel ATM cash withdraws) was recently (August) compromised with foreign transactions. (She last used the card for an ATM cash withdraw in Europe in March). Schwab's fraud detect stopped some the the fraudulent debit card transactions and reversed the the others that went through. Schwab canceled the compromised debit card and mailed her a new card. Should this happen to you in Italy and your CU debit card is your only debit card, it could be inconvenient not being able to access cash until your CU expresses you a replacement card assuming that you can activate it while in Italy.

Here is some advice on using your ATM card in Europe.
Try to use an ATM connected to a bank as stand alone ATMs at airports and train stations may have high fees.
I try to do this during banking hours in case the machine eats your card. This is rather rare.
Be sure to observe your surroundings so no one sees your pin input.
Banks usually limit the withdrawal amount to 250-300 euros but some may be as high as 500. I tend to limit it to 200-300.
Also if you try to buy train tickets or gas from a self service machine you will need to use an debit card unless your credit card has a pin. Most US credit cards do not.
RDJ

And chances are the person you spoke with at the CU probably has zero experience at withdrawing cash from a foreign ATM. Some people travel extensively but the majority do not. They have limited knowledge and sometimes just regurgitate what they hear.

Headed to Amsterdam next week. Today hit our credit union and notified them of our travel plans. We have exclusively used our credit union debit for cash for many years.

ATMs do not allow you to withdraw from a savings account ----- that is not quite true. The ATM draws from your primary account and, if, your saving account is your primary account then you are OK. It is just that ATMs do not allow a choice between multi accounts -- savings or checking. Our credit union account is tied to the saving account so that is where the withdraw is made.

The ATM draws from your primary account and, if, your saving account is your primary account then you are OK. I
Perhaps. You would need to limit ATM withdrawals from your saving account to no more than six in a statement month or be in violation of Reserve Requirements for Depository Institutions 12 CFR. 204, Regulation D.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulation_D_(FRB)

In consumer banking, "Regulation D" often refers to §204.2(d)(2) of
the
regulation, which limits withdrawals or outgoing transfers from a
savings or money market account. No more than six such
transactions per statement period may be made from an account by
various "convenient" methods, which include checks, debit card
payments, and automatic transactions such as automated clearing house
transfers or electronic bill payment. Institutions must warn any
customer that exceeds the limit and must freeze, close or reclassify
accounts that do so repeatedly. The regulation does not limit
transactions made in person, at an ATM, by mail, or by telephone
request for a mailed check. Even in these cases, the institution may
require seven-day advance written notice before releasing funds. This
right is not normally exercised, but it must be part of the account
agreement.

Well, that might explain why I get six free withdrawal per period. After that it is $1/per withdrawal.

C&M,

When using a debit / ATM card to make withdrawals from European ATM's, normally your primary account will be accessed. You'll have to contact your financial institution to find out which of your accounts is designated as "primary".

As others have mentioned, it's a good idea to pack along at least two ATM cards on different accounts, in case of problems with one card (I've had that happen).

I don't believe my credit union debit cards allow me to make purchases in Europe, but that's something I would recommend against. If someone scams your card, they could easily drain your account. I always use credit cards to pay for hotel rooms or to make purchases.

One other important point to mention is that you'll have to be vigilant to avoid the Direct Currency Conversion (DCC) scam. If the ATM / Bancomat asks if you want the conversion done at the machine or by your bank back home, always choose the "back home" option. The local currency conversion adds several percent to the transaction. You may find this helpful - https://transferwise.com/gb/blog/choose-local-currency-at-foreign-atm . DCC is also used in credit card transactions.

I run three debit cards and two credit cards, all chip and pin, with both a bank and credit union, visa and MasterCard. I do this to aid my overseas holidays. One debit card may encounter a particular bank to bank issue, but the alternate debit card will always always work. Credit cards deal with online rail, tour, day cruises etc just fine. I also have no trouble dealing in cash if they prefer.
Fraudulent card transactions are international. My first one was a compromised US based web site transaction, with the second from one of my transactions in London, one was visa, the other MasterCard.
My banks covered the losses both times.

Be sure what your daily limits are and 24hours since the last withdrawal.

Even if you do notify your bank regarding overseas travel, sometime things just happen, or rather don’t happen.
I had a credit card rejection in France this passed August for €300 , again the other one worked.
The next day it worked just fine.
Regards

Make sure you notify your bank/credit union that you will be traveling! I used my credit card a lot -got cash from ATM and bought train tickets with my debit card-make sure you have a chip and PIN for your card-I was behind a couple in Venice who could not get cash from ATM because their card didn’t have a pin

Try and use an ATM that is inside a bank, or inside the porch/glass frontage of a bank.
Less chance of someone trying to "help" you that way.
Also: use ATM's at banks that are open at the time, and in a town where you will be for the next couple of days, just in case the machine eats your card.
By Sundays, some ATM's may be out of cash until restocked the following week.

I just returned from Italy and used my regular bank account debit card to withdraw cash on three occasions, no problems encountered. Europe ATMs ask for a six digit pin and my pin is only four digits but thankfully it worked each time. I have also heard that putting in two leading zeros and then your four digit pin may be the trick although it wasn't necessary on the random machines I used. Make sure to choose English or the British Flag icon when you first start using the screens and carefully make your selections. One downside I suffered is the exchage rate is not good, I got 400 Euros once and it cost me $500 (1.25) plus $20 in processing fees I now see deducted since getting back home! One alternative to your regular bank debit card is a AAA issued debit card that you buy in advance for an amount you pre-determine and it is not linked to your bank account.

In the last five years I've probably used about 200 ATMs in Europe; I make small withdrawals because I pay no fees. I have never been asked for a 6-digit PIN. I don't think the ATMs usually ask for a PIN of any particular length.

I would be cautious about using any sort of pre-paid card from a US source to attempt to avoid ATM fees, because I've heard about too many of them either not working at all in Europe or having grotesque fees of their own: fees when you load the card, possible bad exchange rate if the card is denominated in euros, fees to check the balance, fees when you make withdrawals, fees if you want to convert the balance back to dollars. You have to get hold of and read the fine print on any financial product like that before you commit to it.