For those of you that use a gas rebate credit card to help lower fuel costs as we do, a word to the wise:

Always pay at the pump and NEVER leave your credit card inside while you fill up.

Recently we went to a pay at the pump gas station. After sliding the card into the pump and punching in our zip code, the screen said "see attendant".

So i went inside and the girl said, you will have to leave your card with me while you pump the gas and when you get done, come back in and I will run the transaction for you. She said she would not turn the pump on unless I left my CC with her.

I called Shell and my CC company on this and they both gave the same answer, NEVER let your credit card out of your sight. In this particular scam they either copy your card # and that "access code" on the back so they can make an internet purchase, or they stencil over your card so they can make a fake duplicate. They even said that sometimes they simply take a picture of your cc front and back, using something as simple as a cellphone camera!

Either way.. pay at the pump means just that "pay at the pump".

Be careful these days!!

08FEH

Wow, that is one scam that people could easily fall for. Good thing I always pay at the pump.

In the same scenario, what about restaurants?
The waiters will always take the credit card with them, out of one's sight, and bring you a receipt. They could easily duplicate the scam you are mentioning.....they almost always take several minutes to perform the transaction, and "something else" if they wish to do so.

After my wife got her CC number stolen last christmas, and we almost got billed a total three fully loaded desktops (thank goodness the card's fraud alert spotted this most unusual purchase behavior), I signed up for the credit protection program. Which at $9.00/month it is a scam on itself.

Makes you wonder if it is better to "leave home without it"

The U.S. has reached a point “where the priorities of Congress could become so distorted by politics” that it would turn its back on the next great global industry, clean power — Rhone Resch

well... im glad someone posted this as a warning for everyone. thanks.

will need Volkswagen Shocks, Nissan Axle,Toyota Celica Parts?

If I were you I would have told her, "I'm no dumb SUV driver, that's an Escape hybrid I've got out there."

I get that often as a foreigner (Canadian) fueling up a rental in the US. Whenver you have to type in a zip code, I can't use the pump as they don't accept outside US postal codes (they have letters and numbers).

If you did not charge the card, you are not responsible for the bill, despite what the card company tries to tell you. They often try to make you feel responsible, but if you stand your ground, they eventually relent.

rcomeau

I like to use this strange stuff called CASH for this reason.

I agree with you RC, but it's the hassle and the delay of waiting for a new card that is a bummer.

I understand where you are coming from too Olympic, but when it comes to rebates (especially on GAS) you can't beat some of the cards out there.

An example of this would be the Chase Perfect card, which gives us 5% off on all gas purchases. We use this card for gas only and it rebates your 5% back on the very next statement as a credit.

For example 3.00 a gallon becomes 2.85 a gallon with the 5% off the purcase price.

Every little bit helps for us!

08FEH

That's true.I experienced that once.

Ziare | Curs Valutar

If you travel in England, you will find that no one is allowed to take your card out of your sight. At restaurants, you either pay on the way out or they bring a portable card scanner to your table. I think it is a national law that keeps them from taking your card.