Paying at petrol stations

[E_Clark]

So I've recently been told that whenever you pay at a fuel station in the states you should always pay cash and never use a card as they are rife with card scimmers. As a family we've been numerous times and are generally quite aware of things like this, such as not letting restaurants take our card out of sight etc, but we hadn't heard about this. Is this something most people do? Or is it a bit of scare mongering? Thanks

[bella9]

I always pay by cash because I find it easier. Cards can get cloned anywhere so I don't let that bother me too much. My DD's card was cloned and used in a country she'd never been to. I've read on here that there's a problem recognising English ccs in petrol stations over there, anyway. 😃😃

[Mercator]

I don't know what the chances are of getting your card cloned at a fuel station is, but if it's like the UK it's probably higher than average. Although previously I've used a credit card to pay for fuel, this trip I'm using cash just in case. If the credit card company had to cancel the card whilst on holiday it would be a bit inconvenient...

[PPM]

Originally Posted by bella9

I always pay by cash because I find it easier. Cards can get cloned anywhere so I don't let that bother me too much. My DD's card was cloned and used in a country she'd never been to. I've read on here that there's a problem recognising English ccs in petrol stations over there, anyway. 😃😃

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The recognition problem is when paying at the pump.
However I also find it easier to pay cash at the till, then fill up and go back in to get the change if I've filled up before I've used all the value.
Whatever way you do it NEVER leave the card at the till while you fill up.

[novocastrian]

I usually use a credit card just say $20 on number 5 or whatever ... And get a receipt if you don't use the full amount they only charge what you use

A garage must of 100's of customers a day and they arnrt going to clone everybcard surely ... Can't see it being anymore risky than a shop/restaurant...

Should add only tend to use big chain garages opposite Disney springs or on Vineland \ apopka for instance

[walt4it]

Always pay cash at the petrol station - although we do make use of the cash machine that is in there too

Always go to the counter and ask for so many dollars on pump whatever.
I can't be bothered with the credit / debit card at the pump

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by E_Clark

So I've recently been told that whenever you pay at a fuel station in the states you should always pay cash and never use a card as they are rife with card scimmers. As a family we've been numerous times and are generally quite aware of things like this, such as not letting restaurants take our card out of sight etc, but we hadn't heard about this. Is this something most people do? Or is it a bit of scare mongering? Thanks

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Hiya E_Clark... I'm in the pay cash at the till camp, in over 25+ years of Fla travel we've never used a card to pay for petrol. In fact we're very careful where we use our cards - whilst absolutely no guarantee, we tend to stick with Publix, Winn Dixie and Walmart, particularly as those near us on the Gulf are now chip and pin.

My brother had 5 cards compromised in three years in/around the Cape Coral area, luckily none of the fraudulent payments were approved, his cards were cancelled and re-issued... it happens, we believe we have a responsibility to use caution and minimise card fraud as best we can.

[Essex Benjy's!]

Hi,
Here now and bought gas several times this trip, the last being within the hour plus many times over many many years and I have never had any problem with fraud on my card once.
You'll be surprised, cars like the one I'm hiring at the moment will not hold $20 of gas ( it was $18 to fill it up )
You can't pay at the pump as they ask for your zoo code.
I pay inside using my card but lots of stations offer a cheaper price if you pay cash.
It's up to you and how cheap you get your cash. I'm using Halifax Clarity card so I get the best rate possible.

[Rowlf]

Credit card skimming is rife over here at the moment, not just dodgy looking gas stations but also till staff at quite respectable restaurants. It's in the local news regularly.

We were skimmed at Tommy Bahama's restaurant in Naples in June and knew nothing until our card was refused everywhere next day. Those who complacently think 'it'll never happen to me' are likely to be the next victims

As others are saying the way to go is cash only for gas (it doesn't cost that much even for a gas-guzzler) and use cards only in situations where you keep sight of the card and the place feels right.

Chip and pin is finally reaching some of the bigger stores - Longboat Key Publix started just this week, we were one of the first to use it

[E_Clark]

That's the thing, we have a Halifax Clarity card, so usually take minimal cash, as it's safer not taking lots with us and obviously there's the protection they offer.

When we've paid at a petrol station on card, our card has never been out of sight, we go in and ask for $20 etc on xx pump.

I'm not trying to be complacent at all, just to get an understanding of the risk, as for none of us to have heard of it when my stepdad spends 5 or so months out there a year is quite unusual.

Surely if the card is kept in sight then it's the same risk as paying in any shop etc? And no one is going to take just cash for their holiday, that would be far too risky.

I'm not sure if I'm missing something?