Comments on: Reader Has Debit Card Problem

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:42:29 +0000

I think the hold a merchant can put on your account is BULL! I have actually had checks bounce because of this practice. And on top of all of that my bank charged me for a bounced check fee. I have no way of knowing that a merchant put a hold on my money till it is too late. I think this should be outlawed. After all it is my money not theirs!

By: Darin

Darin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:53:17 +0000

The problem is the DEBIT transaction. As a human being, you should NEVER use your PIN number unless you are withdrawing cash from an ATM.
Debit transactions are EFT’s (electronic fund transfers) that are unregulated and unmonitored by any third party. By using your PIN, you are giving the merchant (and their bank processor) direct access to your account, completely unregulated. If they choose to steal all your money, your only recourse is to sue them one-on-one, probably in Delaware! Its the wild, wild west in debit network land, and your account is the saloon for processors and merchants to use and abuse. The only safe transaction is a credit transaction, where you have the protection of a third party (Visa/MC) should any funny business arise from the merchant or processor. The big companies try to trick us into using our PIN so they can take Visa/MC out of the transaction, thus eliminating any protection you may have against them.
Live and learn!

By: Gordon

Gordon — Mon, 25 May 2009 07:00:16 +0000

Anyway, why doesn’t the machine just put a hold on the exact amount for the gas you pumped into your tank?
The amount taken is recorded immediately. Still sounds like they’re playing games that would get them pummeled if they did it in person.

By: Gordon

Gordon — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:35:18 +0000

I can understand the stations’ reasoning, but I still think it’s wrong. That extra money isn’t theirs, so they have no right to hold onto it.
If you have $150 in your debit account, pump in $20 worth of gas, then pull in at a store down the street a ways and try to buy a $100 item, the machine there will block the sale because your account will show as not having enough money.

If I write you a check for $20 and you then demand $100 as a deposit to ensure that my $20 check is good, you’re likely to end up with a fat lip and a sore jaw.

By: TJH

TJH — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:45:22 +0000

I would never use a debit card. Since my checking account pays no interest I don’t keep much money there and wouldn’t want to keep track of every transaction my spouse and I make from day to day. People who have joint accounts can get into a lot of trouble. We don’t use ATM accounts either. Use checks, credit cards or cash.

By: Eric T

Eric T — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:18:29 +0000

If everyone had the same size tank, bought the same grade or type of fuel, then it wouldn’t be necessary.

Seems there are other options for people who don’t want to be “defrauded”. One could ride the bus or a bike or use a credit card or use a dedicated gas card or pay in advance and bypass the card reader.

The card reader doesn’t know in advance how much you’re going to pump or what you’re going to pump.

By: Tech Jockey

Tech Jockey — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:18:26 +0000

Costco knows (some how) exactly how much you can dispense with a card. I had around $37 and change in my checking account once, Went to Costco for gas and it stopped pumping at the exact penny. Kinda cool to watch the dial slow down as it got close to the amount you can use.

By: Rifter

Rifter — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:58:25 +0000

Fred Meyer does the same thing. They put like a $100 hold on your credit card, and if you don’t have that much room, they decline it. That is before you even START pumping gas. This is for if you pay at the pump. Going to the attendant and paying a fixed amount on a CC works just fine.

By: JIMV

JIMV — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:39:35 +0000

You hit it editor…fraud.

By: idahokid

idahokid — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:15:45 +0000

I notice a sign on the gas pumps at Jacksons advising of a possible hold on the card account you are using and to contact your bank if there are questions. I really feel that it is unjustified, but I guess the other side of the coin is if it so unjustified and I am unsatisfied then I can pay in cash. It may still be accepted in some stores.