Fraud protection is one of the most underrated but important features of credit cards. When you use a debit card and fraudulent charges occur, the money comes directly out of your bank account, and it may take time to get reimbursed. With credit cards, you’re usually not liable for unauthorized charges beyond $50, and most issuers have zero-liability policies. Furthermore, credit cards use advanced security measures like EMV chips, tokenization, and fraud monitoring algorithms. This makes them one of the safest ways to pay, especially online. Historically, fraud protections were a major reason people shifted from cash and checks to credit cards. Today, these protections remain a key reason experts recommend using credit cards for purchases when possible.