31 Skimmers Found on Valero Pumps in October (purchasing, law)

[supfromthesite]

Just pay inside, better safe than sorry. Such as life when you share a city with criminals. At least San Antonio isn't that bad

[elnina]

Originally Posted by ashbeeigh

I saw something on the news a while back that said you can spot a skinner by checking to see if there is an open Bluetooth connection nearby. https://www.wptv.com/money/consumer/...s-at-gas-pumps

According to:
https://www.creditcards.com/credit-c...m-skimmers.php
there is no foolproof way to spot skimmers.

I hope that one day they will fit those card readers with an alarm, or automatically disable them when someone starts unauthorized modifications.

[txbullsfan]

I was under the impression that the skimmers used an internal storage and did not need a bluetooth/wireless connection. Scammer just sets equipment up, waits, then after a period of time collects to get data from internal storage.

[ged_782]

Originally Posted by supfromthesite

Just pay inside, better safe than sorry. Such as life when you share a city with criminals. At least San Antonio isn't that bad

The problem there is that option has been made too inconvenient, IMO.


For example, you must pay in advance at the register if not paying at the pump. Also, regardless of whether you are paying cash or using a credit card, you must make an exact dollar amount purchase in advance, with no change given back or balance credited back to your card. IOW, you can't tell them "I want to fill my tank", because you have to know exactly how much dollar amount you need, without going over. So, you have to underestimate your need. They used to give cash refunds, or a credit back on your card, but I guess it became too much of a hassle for the retailers, and nobody I've encountered seems to do that anymore.


I normally buy gas at one of the two fuel brands (along with their "sister" brands) for which I carry proprietary credit cards (only accepted at those particular branded fuel stations), and pay at the pump with them, so there should be less risk of having the account compromised, due to limited acceptance of the cards, and the low monthly dollar limit they have. I haven't had any problem with those accounts being compromised over the years.

[txtea]

Pffft....they'll just laugh at the amount on my debit card and skip over it.

[supfromthesite]

Originally Posted by ged_782

The problem there is that option has been made too inconvenient, IMO.


For example, you must pay in advance at the register if not paying at the pump. Also, regardless of whether you are paying cash or using a credit card, you must make an exact dollar amount purchase in advance, with no change given back or balance credited back to your card. IOW, you can't tell them "I want to fill my tank", because you have to know exactly how much dollar amount you need, without going over. So, you have to underestimate your need. They used to give cash refunds, or a credit back on your card, but I guess it became too much of a hassle for the retailers, and nobody I've encountered seems to do that anymore.


I normally buy gas at one of the two fuel brands (along with their "sister" brands) for which I carry proprietary credit cards (only accepted at those particular branded fuel stations), and pay at the pump with them, so there should be less risk of having the account compromised, due to limited acceptance of the cards, and the low monthly dollar limit they have. I haven't had any problem with those accounts being compromised over the years.

At Circle K the money goes back on your card... Don't know what you mean

[ged_782]

Originally Posted by supfromthesite

At Circle K the money goes back on your card... Don't know what you mean

What I'm saying is if you go inside and pay the cashier (credit card or cash) they need an exact dollar amount in advance you want to purchase. I say "I just want to fill my tank". They say "sir, I need a dollar amount in advance". I say "But I'm using one of your brand credit cards". They say "I still need a dollar amount in advance". I say "never mind", and walk out without purchasing, except the time I needed gas then. And that time, the pump cut off right at the dollar amount I put on the card.


They used to give refunds on the up-front payment in cash (if you paid cash), or credit the unused amount back on your card, but you had to go back inside after you were finished refueling to do it. I guess nobody's doing that anymore, at least based on my local experiences.

[vater]

Originally Posted by supfromthesite

Just pay inside, better safe than sorry. Such as life when you share a city with criminals. At least San Antonio isn't that bad

Or just use your phone/watch to pay?

[OaklandR]

[Mod cut: orphaned]

There are not a lot yet, but I love the ones with Apple pay. Wish they all had that.

[Bo]

Originally Posted by OaklandR

There are not a lot yet, but I love the ones with Apple pay. Wish they all had that.

If you use Exxon stations, you can pay from the front seat of your car, with the Speedpass+ app.