Paying for gasoline with your debit card

elchrist

Never use a debit card to pay at the pump
Source: Clarkhoward.com

Have you ever used a debit card at a gas station to “pay at the pump?” Say you fill up $20 or $30 worth. Then, two days later you get a notice from your bank that you’ve bounced some checks. How can that be, you’re probably thinking. But, what you may not know is that when you use a debit card, gas stations have the right to overcharge you a certain amount to ensure they get their money. Sometimes it’s only a $5 or $10 hold. But it’s up to each gas station to decide how much to hold in your account, and some put a $75 or $100 hold on the account. And, they also decide how long to hold that money. Some hold the money for up to three days, so that can really hurt you. If you want to use a debit card at a gas station, do not pay at the pump. Pay inside the station and you’ll be charged for only what was purchased. Or, the better alternative is to use a credit card. If you have a rewards card, you get the cash back or gas reward to boot.

I've never noticed this kind of hold when I've used my debit card for gas at the pump terminal. Has anyone?

For quite a while I've been using my credit card which does provide you with more security, plus am earning 5% cash back while filling up the tank.

Big Slick · Back in Calecia Joined: 08 Apr 2005 Posts: 193

its funny you say this, just this wednesday, i checked my balance a the bank and i was -70, i asked for a statement and it turns out that the gas station held the money for about 8 days, and they added 10 dollars of overcharge...i'll tell you what, no more card at the pump for me...

realneo · Posted: 24 Apr 2005 01:34 PM Post subject:

Credit Cards is the way to go

elchrist · Posted: 25 Apr 2005 10:24 AM Post subject:

451PC · Posted: 29 Apr 2005 11:56 PM Post subject:

hey slick, what station did this to you?