Live data from Hacker News

Stop Paying for Gas with Your Debit Card

forbes.com

11–20 of 24 posts

Re: Stop Paying for Gas with Your Debit Card

#12
Hy-Vee breach announced this week. I shop Hy-Vee several times a week and saw a $250 charge on my card on 8/20. Hard to believe it isn't from this breach.

Someone signed up for a Zelle account with my card. Managed to initiate a transfer. I had never heard of Zelle, but there's a 0% chance I'll ever use them now. Luckily my bank does not use them...

Re: Stop Paying for Gas with Your Debit Card

#13

I may have missed something, but why specifically when paying for petrol? Surely the advice here should be to stop using debit entirely? (Alternatively, choose to use cash now - or you won't have the choice in the future.)

Because American gas pumps still primarily use magstripe readers and thus skimmers are still a problem. Many new pumps are starting to get Apple/Android contactless payment, but I've found that most of the pumps that have the hardware don't actually have it enabled for whatever reason.

Re: Stop Paying for Gas with Your Debit Card

#14

I may have missed something, but why specifically when paying for petrol? Surely the advice here should be to stop using debit entirely? (Alternatively, choose to use cash now - or you won't have the choice in the future.)

Some gas stations are cash/debit only to avoid credit card interchange fees, and thus can have a slightly lower price than other gas stations.

Re: Stop Paying for Gas with Your Debit Card

#16

I may have missed something, but why specifically when paying for petrol? Surely the advice here should be to stop using debit entirely? (Alternatively, choose to use cash now - or you won't have the choice in the future.)

Because American gas pumps still primarily use magstripe readers and thus skimmers are still a problem. Many new pumps are starting to get Apple/Android contactless payment, but I've found that most of the pumps that have the hardware don't actually have it enabled for whatever reason.

An AM/PM gas station in Bellevue, WA recently spent months tearing out tanks and putting new pumps in. “Sweet, I go by there every day, maybe the pumps will have NFC/Apple Pay.” NFC? The new pumps don’t even have chip readers. It is still mag stripe only. Words are inadequate.

Re: Stop Paying for Gas with Your Debit Card

#17
post #15

Stop using your debit card period. Use a credit card and pay it off monthly. Problem solved.

Don't support the credit card oligarchy. Only shop at places that are cash only or put the credit expense fee on the users, not the people paying cash.

> Don't support the credit card oligarchy.

I 100% agree. The problem is that the credit industry exists (obviously) to make money for creditors. Their profit comes from a.) vender fees (that often just result in higher product costs), b.) fees to people who aren't stable enough to pay their balances before fees kick in.

Either way, the credit industry introduces a middle man that a.) artificially inflates costs to goods and survices and b.) financially burdens those who can least afford it.

Sure, credit serves a purpose to bridge a financial gap, like say buying a house, but I go in to that loan agreement knowing how much I'm going to pay for that service. Credit cards, on the other hand are just shady societal life siphons.

Re: Stop Paying for Gas with Your Debit Card

#18
post #15

Stop using your debit card period. Use a credit card and pay it off monthly. Problem solved.

Don't support the credit card oligarchy. Only shop at places that are cash only or put the credit expense fee on the users, not the people paying cash.

Don't support the corrupt Federal Reserve. Only use the barter system.

Re: Stop Paying for Gas with Your Debit Card

#19
post #15

Stop using your debit card period. Use a credit card and pay it off monthly. Problem solved.

Don't support the credit card oligarchy. Only shop at places that are cash only or put the credit expense fee on the users, not the people paying cash.

Rich?! Rich Stallman is that you??

Re: Stop Paying for Gas with Your Debit Card

#20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because American gas pumps still primarily use magstripe readers and thus skimmers are still a problem. Many new pumps are starting to get Apple/Android contactless payment, but I've found that most of the pumps that have the hardware don't actually have it enabled for whatever reason.

An AM/PM gas station in Bellevue, WA recently spent months tearing out tanks and putting new pumps in. “Sweet, I go by there every day, maybe the pumps will have NFC/Apple Pay.” NFC? The new pumps don’t even have chip readers. It is still mag stripe only. Words are inadequate.

Conversely, some Wawa convenience stores are only getting Tesla superchargers, no gas pumps (and Tesla automatically dings your CC on file for Supercharging). Interesting to see the dichotomy.

The future is already here, it’s just not evenly distributed. Apologies to Gibson.

Post reply on HN