How do you pay for your fuel?

[joemd11]

I hate giving my credit card to a waiter and having them disappear with it for 10 minutes to process it. In Europe, the waiters carry a portable device that they use to swipe your card - it never leaves your sight. I've had my CC compromised twice now and it is next to impossible to determine how it was done. I try to look closely at my monthly statements for signs of fraud as that is your only weapon.

 

[aczlan]

We have a Kwik-Fill card that gives us $0.05 off per gallon if paid off at the end of the month. Works well for us.

Aaron Z

 

[coobie]

Was it "pay at the pump" or did you take the card inside?

Ken

Mine was pay at the pump.coobie

 

[Diamondpilot]

My friend is the sheriff in the next town over. He says they can steal your credit card bomber passing you on a two way road with a electronic scanner. Does not matter if you use it every 10 minutes or never, we all are at risk.

As for you that use checks, try are no more secure. I have had one stolen and forged out of the mail, and had one processed electronically as a forge. And where us there a gas station that accepts a check?

Chris

 

[creekbend]

I usually use the debit card. I rarely use the credit card for purchasing gas. I always make a point of carrying some cash. Sometimes the debit machines at businesses are down and when you are traveling on the Interstate, it might be some distance until you find another gas station open. Some gas stations aren't open 24 hours, and during night time traveling, this may result in being a problem. This is one reason that I carry cash. Another is that some businesses are not set up for debit or credit card transactions. I have found this to be more common in rural areas.

 

[patrick_g]

Excuse my ignorance but what difference does it make credit vs debit card if you pay in full every month? I have never had a debit card and haven't paid less that the full amount owing on a credit card for over 40 years.

I prefer pay at the pump with credit card to avoid multiple trips into office/store.

Wasn't aware of a gizmo next to CC slot that tries to read your card illegitimately but will keep an eye out for same.

I buy off-road diesel delivered to my overhead 300 gal tank. Later they bill me and my wife calls them and pays by CC. They accept mailed in checks too if customer prefers. Ditto propane for my two each 1000 gal tanks.

Pat

 

[Reg]

Cash, credit card, or debit card?

My brother and I were talking last night, he has a cleaning business and can write off a lot of the mileage he drives, so he always pays at the pump with a credit card so he can get a reciept for tax purposes. My wife always uses a debit card for gasoline, and she has no need for the receipts because she never checks her statements. As for me, always straight cash for fuel, I think it has been close to 15 to 20 years since I have used a credit card to pay for gas or diesel fuel.

Am I in the minority by using cash?

If it is the same price cash or credit I put it on the card.
If it is 10c more per gallon for credit I fork over ca$h.
OK, so on 50 gallons it is only $5, but that is $5 less going to the bankers 'n wankers.
Oops, I shouldn't say that, a couple of my best customers ARE (-:
I still think I need it more than they do.

I pay the card off every month, so interest isn't an issue.
I carry too much cash around - or so I am told, so it isn't a problem finding a couple of $100s in a pocket somewhere.
Not that I have a lot, just that I carry around a fair amount.

 

[creekbend]

Excuse my ignorance but what difference does it make credit vs debit card if you pay in full every month? I have never had a debit card and haven't paid less that the full amount owing on a credit card for over 40 years.

I prefer pay at the pump with credit card to avoid multiple trips into office/store.

Wasn't aware of a gizmo next to CC slot that tries to read your card illegitimately but will keep an eye out for same.

I buy off-road diesel delivered to my overhead 300 gal tank. Later they bill me and my wife calls them and pays by CC. They accept mailed in checks too if customer prefers. Ditto propane for my two each 1000 gal tanks.

Pat

In regards to illegal scanning of Credit Cards: Around 6 years ago, while I was still living and working in Bradenton, Florida, there was an article in the Bradenton Herald that had a half page report on the subject. There were several waiters that were working at a national chain restaurant-Applebees-that were involved in this type of scam. They had pocket size electronic devices that enable them with the capability to conduct this illegal activity. The newspaper article also reported that one of these devices could be purchased at Radio Shack for less than $50.00. Further investigation by law enforcement agencies revealed that this activity was carried on by members of the same group at other restaurants in the area. It was also reported that this activity was conducted for over a year, before they were caught. I remember reading that they were later convicted. I don't remember how the charges were worded, but they were felonies.

 

[crazyal]

One of the ways a thief can get your information at a gas pump is to install a card reader on top of the normal card reader on the pump. Then they sit close enough to see the keypad and watch to get PIN numbers as people type them in.

I've got in the habit of using three fingers to type my PIN in vs just using your pointer finger. I find I can do it extremely fast and from a distance you can't tell which finger is pushing a number.

 

[JDgreen227]

One of the ways a thief can get your information at a gas pump is to install a card reader on top of the normal card reader on the pump. Then they sit close enough to see the keypad and watch to get PIN numbers as people type them in.

I've got in the habit of using three fingers to type my PIN in vs just using your pointer finger. I find I can do it extremely fast and from a distance you can't tell which finger is pushing a number.

OP here, credit cards number thefts are so commonplace my way of thinking is, the fewer times I use my card to buy gas, groceries, materials, etc. the fewer chances somebody has of swiping my number somehow. No card use, no way somebody can get your number or PIN.

Simple, huh? 95% of the credit card use I do is online via Paypal, and if somebody is smart enough to swipe my info there they probably deserve what little money I have.