Safe Way to Purchase Gas? August 04, 2021, 06:00:47 pm During our two week trip up to the PNW, I broke a long-standing rule of only paying for gas with cash or pre-paid gas cards (typically ARCO). I didn't want to carry large amounts of cash so was using a credit card at the pump. Well, that was a mistake as my card got hacked sometime during our trip. I can only assume it was because of one of my gas purchases. How do ya'll pay for gas when you travel?
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #1 – August 04, 2021, 06:11:09 pm We only pay for gas by Chip (EMV) credit card at Costco, Chevron, or Exxon-Mobile; we get cash-back. How did you get hacked? Our credit cards never leave our wallets or our hands. We learned that the hard way when we got a $1,500 charge from an office supply store over 2,000 miles away after giving my card to a waitress to pay our bill. However, we also carry quite a bit of cash when we travel. CharlesEDIT: should have said "...never leaves our sight" instead of "our hands."
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #2 – August 04, 2021, 06:12:17 pm I like places that have an NFC reader at the pump.That way I can use my phone and Apple Pay, hopefully eliminating the card reader hacks.Too bad Costco won't accept it.
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #3 – August 04, 2021, 06:23:41 pm Quote from: Charles & Donna - August 04, 2021, 06:11:09 pmWe only pay for gas by Chip (EMV) credit card; we get cash-back. How did you get hacked? Our credit cards never leave our wallets or our hands. We learned that the hard way when we got a $1,500 charge from an office supply store over 2,000 miles away after giving my card to a waitress to pay our bill. However, we also carry quite a bit of cash when we travel. I'm not sure that it was because of paying at the pump (skimmer maybe?) but it could have been by some other method such as a paying in an eatery as I always let the waitress take the card. I've never had a problem before but perhaps I've just been lucky to date. How do you pay if in a restaurant without giving your card to a waitress?Jota, what is a NFC reader?
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #4 – August 04, 2021, 06:52:25 pm Quote from: HiLola - August 04, 2021, 06:23:41 pmHow do you pay if in a restaurant without giving your card to a waitress?Depends upon the amount. I either ask to see the manager and then ask to accompany him/her to the CC terminal, hand over the card, watch them run the card, and take the card back. Or I just use cash.We also have notifications set on all of our cards so that a text is sent to our cell phones with the details of every charge made. I've even had calls from a CC company asking to verify a recent charge.Charles 1 Likes
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #5 – August 04, 2021, 06:56:55 pm Near Field Communicator. You hold your phone over the reader and it picks up the information on it.I have an Apple Card, but don't have a physical card. It's on my phone and I use my fingerprint to authorize it's use.It's very convenient, I get a notification right away when it's used. Seems pretty secure to me, and is getting more common.I do have the card number so I can use it on Amazon and other places online, making it nice to not have something else in my wallet to clutter it up.
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #6 – August 04, 2021, 07:20:10 pm NFC on Android was incorporated 2011 in Android OS 4.0 (Android 11 is the latest OS). NFC has a very large footprint.Charles
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #7 – August 04, 2021, 07:51:32 pm Like Jota, I use Apple Pay with my iPhone whenever possible--from what I've read by security experts, it's the most secure payment method, and Apple doesn't collect my personal information with each purchase (unlike Google and others). I use a "chip and PIN" credit card when Apple Pay is not available. My bank recently issued me a replacement card that works "contact free"--just hold it near the NFC reader, similar to using Apple Pay with my iPhone. However, unlike using Apple Pay with the phone, the credit card doesn't validate my identity. The phone won't allow a transaction unless I pass FaceID verification or enter an unlock code; but the "contact free" card doesn't have those abilities. So if my card (or wallet) is stolen, anybody can use it at an NFC-equipped gas pump. If my iPhone is stolen, the thief won't be able to use it to pay for anything.
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #8 – August 04, 2021, 08:05:06 pm AFAIK, credit cardholders are not responsible for fraudulent use, the bank eats it. It's a hassle to deal with, it seems to be part of modern life. Like others, we use Costco as much as possible for fuel and have never had issues. It's the on-the-road purchases where problems with card hacking occur. Maybe it is meaningless but I use Costco's Citi credit card, thinking that any company connected to Costco is going to try to keep the customer happy. Costco doesn't like hearing complaints from customers about its vendors.The Costco Citi card is fine but it's annoying that every time a $100 worth of fuel is pumped, I get a text from Citi requesting an OK to the purchase, The text must be responded to if desiring to buy more fuel at the same time, a common experience when the tank is over half empty. Informing the bank ahead of time, informing them of your travels plans has little effect.Many years ago, my wife's purse was stolen while on vacation in Monterey, at the time we had one credit card each, both cards with the same number. We had to cancel the card and being Saturday night, there wasn't a chance of getting a replacement for two or three days. Luckily it was the last day of our trip and we had enough cash to get home but it taught us how vulnerable you can be.We now carry two cards each, with different card numbers, along with ATM cards. I keep a copy of the card numbers in the cellphone, making it easier to deal with a lost wallet.Most banks will FedEx a new card within one or two days, they want to get you out spending again as fast as possible.Larry 2 Likes
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #9 – August 04, 2021, 09:40:19 pm The Apple Pay sounds interesting, especially since we already have iPhones. Is there a way to tell ahead of time which gas stations support that technology?
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #10 – August 04, 2021, 10:17:36 pm There may be other ways to pay. Received this message from PayPal today.“ Get a $25 reward when you buy $25 or more in crypto with PayP”How many gallons of fuel is a Bitcoin worth today?Larry 1 Likes
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #11 – August 04, 2021, 11:07:45 pm Apple Pay was hit or miss on my road trip last June, it only worked on half the ones that said it was supported. But I did see it far more than any other trip, and just in the past six months seeing quite a few chip enabled pumps.Apple Pay is my preferred method, as your credit card number isn’t used, Apple Pay creates a new credit card number specifically for that transaction, never to be used again. 1 Likes
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #12 – August 04, 2021, 11:18:20 pm We use Google Pay - Learn What the Google Pay App Is & How To Use It. Been using it for three maybe four years. More and more costcos are now turning on the nfc terminals. We only use credit cards. Banks are on the hook for any fraud over $50 by law - not so with debit cards. We have all sorts on cell notifications on any credit card charge. Most of the time I get 'notified' as I'm standing at the vendors registrar.glen
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #13 – August 05, 2021, 12:23:52 am "Is there a way to tell ahead of time which gas stations support [Apple Pay]?"I haven't found a reliable way. Some online sources will say that a given gas station supports Apple Pay, but sometimes when you get there it turns out the convenience store does, but the pumps don't. That would be OK if you didn't mind going inside to pay (normally just a minor annoyance), but with Covid-19 Delta spreading like wildfire, there's no way I will go into a convenience store unnecessarily.I don't mean to paint a discouraging picture; Apple Pay is very widely available. But I guess it costs a lot to update a gas pump, so they seem to lag behind point of sale terminals. I will say in the places where I mostly travel (the Southwest), Love's truckstops all support Apple Pay (and presumably other NFC payment methods), so I buy gas from them when possible. 1 Likes
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #14 – August 05, 2021, 12:31:35 pm Quote from: Larry W - August 04, 2021, 10:17:36 pmThere may be other ways to pay. Received this message from PayPal today.“ Get a $25 reward when you buy $25 or more in crypto with PayP”How many gallons of fuel is a Bitcoin worth today?LarryI like to think of Bitcoin as digital gold, or better. buy it, hold it forever kind of thing.There are so many crypto coins now, it's impossible to keep track. a lot are scams, so be careful.Some are being designed for specific uses, such as real estate escrow and other secure legal ledgers.It will change the financial world as we know it.I hope to leverage mine into a new RV in the next few years. Crypto banks are paying as much as 7% interest, something traditional banks haven't done in years.Sorry, got a bit off track there.
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #15 – August 05, 2021, 03:00:46 pm I've had the same two credit cards for at least twenty years. One was used 40+ weeks a year for business travel, mostly in N. America, but also outside the country a fair amount. The other for personal. I had one incident many years ago in all that time where someone stole the number on the business travel card and made a purchase with it. When I saw it on my bill, I called my credit card provider. They issued a new card, and credited my account after looking into the charges. I've never liked going into convenience stores or gas stations to prepay for gas (more so now!), so I'm very comfortable using my credit card at the pump, especially now with chip cards. Although they are not immune to skimmers, crooks will be crooks after all, but they are far less vulnerable. I can use it everywhere, don't need to concern myself with who takes what and where, and, if I did find there were fraudulent charges on my bill, I'm confident I'd be protected by the card provider. For me, if it ain't broke...Bill 5 Likes
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #16 – August 06, 2021, 05:20:51 pm So I've signed up for Apple Pay and will give it a try to see how it works for me. I like the fact that a random number is generated for the transaction which makes it inherently safer, at least in theory! I know I'm not on the hook for disputed transactions but it sure was a hassle changing cards, then updating all the accounts I pay with the card. Don't really want to do that again.
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #17 – August 06, 2021, 08:02:34 pm Regarding knowing ahead of time whether a gas station (or other merchant) accepts Apple Pay, I found this method: Open the Apple Map App and search for a particular merchant, then click on the name. Look at the “Useful to Know” area and it will show if Apple Pay is accepted. Below is an example.Regarding whether you can pay at the pump or not, you’ll have to either call ahead or wait until you arrive to find out.
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #18 – August 07, 2021, 09:39:17 am "So I've signed up for Apple Pay and will give it a try to see how it works for me. I like the fact that a random number is generated for the transaction which makes it inherently safer, at least in theory!"Greg, I haven't traveled west across the great plains from Arkansas in a couple of years. Because I use my CC for gas purchases, I wasn't paying any attention the last time I did for either Apple Pay or NFC availability at pumps, but, I suspect that you will find that the further you travel east next month, you will find fewer and fewer places that have the technology in place to use Apple Pay, or NFC. I could be mistaken, but I think it's worth mentioning to you. It will be interesting to hear how often you were able to use Apple Pay, or had to use another method of payment on your round trip. If it's any help, chip cards do the same thing as Apple Pay during a transaction; create unique, one time, encrypted transaction data for every purchase. When\if necessary, I'd suggest using the same card for all gas purchases and nothing else. That way you would be certain (in general) about where the card was compromised, if that should happen.Bill
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #19 – August 07, 2021, 09:42:06 am Have no dog in this fight - don't care what service a person uses. Apple Pay or Google Pay both are NFC enabled services. Each has it pros and cons. Biggest problem in my eyes is Apple Pay is only on apple phone. Google Pay can be used on ios or android.Google Pay - Learn What the Google Pay App Is & How To Use ItApple Pay - AppleBoth protect your identity and leave nothing behind for the vendor to track or store. BTY that is why some large vendors don't like NFC. They like the personal information you leave behind when you use your credit card. I use Google Pay because it's accepted at more places. But generally if a place accepts one they accept the other. glen ps on the Google Pay app there is a screen that will show you the 'near by' places that will accept Google Pay. I have no idea how far 'near by' means.
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #20 – August 07, 2021, 10:16:28 am Bill, I’ll let you know how it goes. Unfortunately, the only other chip card I have is a Visa/Debit card linked to my checking. I know you shouldn’t use a debit card at the pump but what if you select credit instead of debit?Maybe it’s time to apply for another card. 🤔
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #21 – August 07, 2021, 11:45:38 am IMHO cash is still the best.The governments around the world are going to a cashless society. Might be easier on them, especially to track every purchase made by you.But they have made using cash a PITA, so get ready to for more invasion of privacy. 1 Likes
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #22 – August 07, 2021, 11:54:31 am Quote from: HiLola - August 07, 2021, 10:16:28 amBill, I’ll let you know how it goes. Unfortunately, the only other chip card I have is a Visa/Debit card linked to my checking. I know you shouldn’t use a debit card at the pump but what if you select credit instead of debit?Maybe it’s time to apply for another card. 🤔Greg,I only use a debit card to get cash at ATM's. The problem with them is if they are compromised is that the money is taken from your account and you have to fight to get it back, maybe a week later depending on the bank. It doesn't matter if it is used as credit or debit. I use a credit only card for all my transactions and pay it off monthly (and I have a couple of those). If it gets compromised, it is on the bank's dime and I don't have to worry about an empty bank account in the mean time. I have had my wallet stolen and they charged up more than $2000 in less than 2 hours at 4 different stores before the credit card company shut them down. I don't like thinking about if that would have come out of my checking. Linda 7 Likes
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #23 – August 07, 2021, 12:27:31 pm Quote from: Linda B - August 07, 2021, 11:54:31 amGreg,I only use a debit card to get cash at ATM's. The problem with them is if they are compromised is that the money is taken from your account and you have to fight to get it back, maybe a week later depending on the bank. It doesn't matter if it is used as credit or debit. Thanks, Linda, as I wasn’t sure about that. Yeah, maybe just have a good amount of cash on hand and use ATM’s as needed if Apple Pay is limited. As Jota said, cash is king!
Re: Safe Way to Purchase Gas? Reply #24 – August 07, 2021, 01:05:40 pm Actually, I think Bitcoin is King.But that is another story.
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