Swipe that debit card carefully

Think carefully before handing over a debit card at a hotel front desk. After saving for a San Francisco vacation, Manhattanite Lauren Hopkins checked into the Oakland Marriott City Center in August and was asked for a card to cover incidentals she might incur, such as meals, Internet connection or mini bar snacks. Hopkins, 23 Ñ who, to avoid overspending, doesn't use a credit card Ñ thought she had more than $600 in her account until her debit card was refused at a restaurant that night. It was over the limit, she says, because the hotel mistakenly billed her again for two nights' lodging, plus held $300 for possible incidentals without her knowledge. Because her card is tied to her checking account, she was broke. Though hotels routinely