Use a Pen or PIN?

When you go shopping with yourdebit card, it can make a differencewhether you sign for your purchase orpunch in your personal identificationnumber (PIN). Because of the differencein fees that banks are charged for thesetransactions, about one of every sevenbanks is slapping a surcharge on purchasesmade using a debit card PIN. Withdebit cards now accounting for 53% ofall card transactions, banks can reapsome sweet rewards by persuading consumersto sign instead of punch. Somebanks, including Wachovia and WellsFargo, are even willing to share thoserewards with you, offering rebates, giftpoints, and travel miles to those customerswho sign for merchandise ratherthan using their PIN.