Deposit Methods

Hey, as a prospective first-time depositor, let me ask:

What method do you guys normally use?

And do you trust poker sites with your bank account information (i.e. what prevents them from taking more than you authorized)?

As you can tell I'm a little hesistant about getting started.

Last time I deposited to UB to take advantage of a re-load bonus, I was able to just use a credit card... no problem. Full Tilt I ended up having to do through ePassporte which sucked 'cause they charge a fee, but it worked okay. Can't speak to withdrawing...

I use epassporte for my money transfers.

The pluses are that you only are giving you banking info to one company and that you can quickly and easily transfer money between poker sites.

The big negative for me is that it takes about 2 weeks for your money to be available when you load, and I believe it's about the same withdrawing back to your bank account.

I direct debit from my bank account. I don't worry about Stars or FTP having my info but for smaller/shadier rooms I'd use another method.

I use epassporte and it seems to work fine. I have only used it for PStars so far, but the money seems to transfer almost instantly. This is just deposits though. I am not sure about withdrawals since I don't like to use my BR for purchases if I don't have to. Besides the fact that it is only just over $200.

Here's some more info:

I want to deposit on Bodog. They seem reliable enough (they have been around a while, and are a big name in sports betting), but I'm not sure. I mean, for one, they zero''d my account (took the money away) that I grinded up from freeroll winnings when they found out that I signed up under "James Bond" (not my real name). Then again, I probably had that one coming.

Anyway I have three deposit methods:
1. Credit Card (the one I attempted does not work thanks to US legislation), so no.

2. ewallet xpress ... I'm not sure on this one. Bodog says that ewallet express can be used for deposits only, and deposits to ewallet xpress appear to be free. However, withdrawals from ewallet xpress charge a whopping 10% fee. To get my own money out. So... although I don't imagine I'm going to withdraw any money from ewallet (just deposit to them, and then transfer all the money from there to Bodog), who knows what I might want to do. Also, they might charge whopping fees to transfer money to Bodog (still need to find out).

3. This one looks most promising, if I decide to do it. Instant check. Basically, fax in bank account statement / copy of driver's liscense / voided check. Then viola- my bank account is linked with Bodog. I'm a little hesistant to give out all this shit to a site who "for all legal purposes" works out of the nation of Antigua. Then again, option 2 (ewallet) would involve giving critical information to an equally (untrustworthy?) site: fee-loving ewallet.

Basically, I feel that however I deposit to Bodog, that some company is gonna have me by the balls (except if I do it by credit card, which is impossible). I.e. Bodog will take all the money from my checking account and then assure the bank that I pissed it away at the 2/4 tables.

I know I'm being paranoid. I'm mainly looking for assurances that I'm not as vulnerable as I think I am. I mean, I just want to play some cards here. Any thoughts about my options?

Originally Posted by bigslikk

And do you trust poker sites with your bank account information

I do trust them, but not enough. If you want to deposit right from your bank account, I suggest creating a "checking" account, but onyl put in there what you feel is most comfortable for you.

just use epassporte. its reliable and using it means you dont give any poker sites your bank account information. i've been using it for almost a year and a half and no problems....or just freeroll up another bankroll......or go to a site that has a no deposit bonus (usually 5 or 10 dollars) and grind

i used to play at bodog..I think they got rid of the instant check option like a couple of months ago and it's back right now i believe..i stopped playing tho..They credit you with money right away and the money goes out from your bank like a week later