Good to know, thanks. Fidelity is actually my example #1. I've been told multiple times on the phone it can't be changed from $500, but that was years ago. Will try again.

Back to the topic, we're up to $3-4k now which is more than I thought, but still not enough to pull off this $12k scam.

Fidelity outsources their debit card servicing. A Fidelity rep told me that the cap is set per customer, and the withdrawal limit is set depending on the account balance and history with that customer. They told me that I could request a higher withdrawal limit if I wished to do so, and they may or may not approve it.

Interesting, I didn't think it was per-customer. At the time these conversations happened, I had plenty of money, most of it in my Fidelity account.

They could have saved a lot of money on ATM fees (which they always refund me) by increasing my limit, that's for sure.

Any particular reason you need so much cash on hand?

You never know when a good poker game will break out.

I travel a lot, and sometimes often to "emerging economies". Cash is always king, especially when your American bank puts yet another suspected fraud alert on your card...

What comes to my mind, is when you buy a boat or a motor second hand.