cross-posted from: https://links.hackliberty.org/post/86319
The #warOnCash inspires a search for a bank that issues Discovercard (or Diner’s Club) debit cards. The reason:
- Visa & Mastercard are members of the Better Than Cash Alliance & aggressively fighting the anti-side of the war on cash.
- American Express is an ALEC member (thus supports right-wing politicians).
Obviously it makes sense to use cash whenever possible. But in those situations where cash is impossible, I would favor Discovercard because it’s the lesser of evils. The problem is Discovercard is like #AmEx: they both control the payment network AND have customer details. Too much info in one place for data leeches. I prefer separation. There used to be several 3rd-party Discover debit cards, but AFAIK they’re all gone. These are the old options:
- (Maryland) https://www.oldlinebank.com/personal/overview/
- (Florida) https://cadencebank.com/personal/personal-debit-cards <= no mention of “Discover debit”, but this page confirms: https://www.discoverdebit.com/article/cadence-case-study
- (Kentucky, but available nationwide) cfsbky.com ← looks like mastercard now?
- (Texas) https://www.thebankandtrust.com/personal/discover-consumer-card/ ← tor-hostile
- (PA) https://www.jbt.bank/personal-banking/discover-debit-card/ ← tor-hostile
- (WI) https://www.guardiancu.org/personal-banking/checking-accounts/debit-cards/ ← tor-hostile
- (IL, but available nationwide) https://www.oldsecond.com/personal-banking/card-services/ <= said Discover Debit no longer offered but that they have a Discover CC (yet I don’t find it online)
If the bank has become tor-hostile i don’t even check. Anyway, if anyone knows of any banks or credit unions offering Discover debit cards please reply.