Maybe it is a US thing but for European consumer rights, it doesn't make a difference whether you paid with debit card or credit card. That being said the terms of the credit card issuer (VISA, MC or whatever) can be different for debit and credit cards and can make a difference.

As for any unauthorised charges to a card (credit or debit) just despite it; obviously, the credit card issuer/the bank can't deny to reverse any charges that you have not approved/have knowledge about.

As for the US couple charge 30k USD for Uber trip in Costa Rica, I'm very confident that this was resolved and the charge eventually reversed by the debit card issuer (or Uber). Admittedly, that doesn't prevent the annoyance of your card being blocked/temporarily not able to use it because of the pending charge, but hopefully this couple had other cards with them or would be able to get money from their accounts at home or from family/relatives via WU as a last resort.