Is it safe to use debit card at gas pump?

Using a debit card for gas is risky, as credit thieves favor gas stations and might be able to access your account with your personal identification number (PIN) by using a device called a skimmer.

How long does it take for a gas station to charge your debit card?

For example, a gas station may place a $50 hold when authorizing the card even if the consumer only intends to purchase $20 worth of gas. The $50 hold will remain until the transaction clears, which can take 48-72 hours.

How long does it take to clear a debit card transaction?

Typically, merchants do this at the end of the day, so in theory, the closer your purchase is to the merchant’s time of closing, the sooner the transaction will clear. However, settlement policies vary by merchant, so it’s not unusual for a debit card transaction to remain pending for up to five days.

Why does my Direct Express card keep getting declined?

If you have enough funds, the most likely reason why your Direct Express Card is not working is due to fraudulent or suspicious transactions on your card. The other possible reason why your Direct Express Card is not working is when the card is expired.

Can you use a debit card at a gas station pump?

Before you swipe your debit card at a gas station pump, give the credit card terminal a slight tug. If it jiggles or doesn’t feel secure, don’t swipe your debit card. Use your credit card instead (because it has much better fraud protection), pay inside, or go to another gas station.

What happens if you swipe your debit card through a skimmer?

This happens when you swipe your credit card through a skimming device in an otherwise legitimate transaction. The skimmer captures your debit card information which the thief retrieves once they come back for the skimmer. Skimming devices are commonly placed on ATMs that aren’t attached to a bank.

Is your credit card information being stolen at the gas pump?

In August 2018, the FTC warned consumers of an increase in card skimming at gas pumps around the country, noting, “You won’t know your information has been stolen until you get your statement or an overdraft notice.” If you missed last summer’s warning, consider the Hy-Vee breach as a wake-up call to take a hard look at how you pay at the pump.

Is it safe to swipe your debit card?

That means you have to be even more careful about where you swipe your debit card since debit card fraud puts your hard-earned cash at risk. In many cases, credit cards are a safer choice.