Card Purchases at Gas Stations

I keep reading all these stories about “credit card skimmers” (designed to steal your card # & code).

Just saw an article the other day where 12 new skimmers were found at various gas stations around San Antonio…right after a bunch were found in July!

Someone needs to explain something to me…

“WHY DON’T THESE GAS STATION OWNERS & STAFFS CHECK THEIR PUMPS EVERY DAY???

“WHY DON’T THE BIG OIL COMPANIES REQUIRE THEIR FRANCHISE OWNERS TO DO THIS AS A CONDITION OF THEIR CONTRACT???”

I smell a damned rat here!

Wouldn’t be surprised in the least if some of the workers are in cahoots with these crooks.

> > ALWAYS tug on the card reader HARD before dipping/swiping your card! Don’t worry about damaging the reader…a legitimate one won’t come off!

> > ALWAYS turn on your phone’s Bluetooth right near the pump & if it’s displaying a whole bunch of #s, there’s a good chance there’s an electronic skimmer at play! (Note: This is NOT foolproof as you may get some false positives & negatives.)

> > There are also apps available that help to detect the presence of Bluetooth-enabled devices nearby. You can also get false readings, so always make sure you tug hard on that reader!

> > Pay cash whenever you can! Or use your credit card with the attendant inside.

If the cashier refuses & insists that you use your card at the machine, ask for the manager. Get the gas station owner’s name & phone number. Report the station to the big corporation whose gas they’re pumping (Mobil, Valero, etc.).

Years ago, before “pay at the pump” ever began, gas stations were notorious for credit card fraud.

Workers would make imprints of your card or somehow steal your information.

Many banks (and I know for a fact that Citi did this…and still does), employ “fraud prevention formulas & algorithms” that look for gas purchases…followed shortly thereafter by sizable purchases at retail stores or on-line. They’ll often reject the card purchase following the gas transaction if it “fits” the profile of stolen/compromised card information & falls within a certain time period.

Whenever purchasing gas using your debit/credit card, monitor your account carefully afterwards using on-line tools (PC banking, mobile banking apps) or contacting your financial instruction.

And while you’re NEVER liable for unauthorized or fraudulent electronic transactions…including all card-related activities at ATMs, stores, on-line, etc., using either your signature (credit) or PIN/Personal Identification Numbet (debit)…it make take awhile to get your money refunded to you by your bank.

Your account(s) can be entirely wiped out within hours…or minutes!

You can never be too careful nor vigilant enough to take the appropriate precautions & monitor all your account activity.

Better to be safe than sorry! Pls be careful.

Thank you so much for listening!