Shell Gas Gifft Card Compromised Before First Use

[REDCART]

We usually buy as many Shell gas cards as possible whenever Publix runs their promotions, and we always attach the activation receipt to the card. Today we ran into our first problem. To make a long story short, we purchased a Shell card on 3/06 at the Publix on Bischera Blvd. According to Shell, $50 was charged to that card on 3/12 in Miami, FL. Shell customer service (in Bangalore I think) wasn't much help, and the local Publix while sympathetic, wasn't much help either. I then called Publix Corporate offices, and they were extremely helpful. They acknowledged that they've seen a very few similar incidents, primarily in the Tampa area and have been working with Shell to make the Shell gift cards more difficult to compromise. To bring this story to an end, Publix replaced the Shell card for us this afternoon. What else will the crooks think of next?

[Jima64]

Glad Publix stepped up and resolved it for you. Too often people become frustrated and give up. The crooks count on this.

[mikeandnancy1112]

I was given a Shell card from the clerk several months ago. I don't charge gas but every time I use it I get 3 gallons off at the pump. I never charge gas.

[rubicon]

We usually buy as many Shell gas cards as possible whenever Publix runs their promotions, and we always attach the activation receipt to the card. Today we ran into our first problem. To make a long story short, we purchased a Shell card on 3/06 at the Publix on Bischera Blvd. According to Shell, $50 was charged to that card on 3/12 in Miami, FL. Shell customer service (in Bangalore I think) wasn't much help, and the local Publix while sympathetic, wasn't much help either. I then called Publix Corporate offices, and they were extremely helpful. They acknowledged that they've seen a very few similar incidents, primarily in the Tampa area and have been working with Shell to make the Shell gift cards more difficult to compromise. To bring this story to an end, Publix replaced the Shell card for us this afternoon. What else will the crooks think of next?

REDCART: We purchase these gas cards because of the skimmer scams found at various pumps around the area. So how did some get/copy your gift card and use it 6 days after your purchase?

[Villager Joyce]

REDCART: We purchase these gas cards because of the skimmer scams found at various pumps around the area. So how did some get/copy your gift card and use it 6 days after your purchase?

I have often wondered if someone could write down the information since gift cards are displayed on a rack for all to see and then go on line in a couple weeks to see if the card was activated. Would be safer if they were kept in tbe cashiers areas?

[Walter123]

I have often wondered if someone could write down the information since gift cards are displayed on a rack for all to see and then go on line in a couple weeks to see if the card was activated. Would be safer if they were kept in tbe cashiers areas?

There is like a 20 digit number that you would need to copy and then, how could you use it? Somehow encode it to a blank card? Don't know about this.....

[REDCART]

REDCART: We purchase these gas cards because of the skimmer scams found at various pumps around the area. So how did some get/copy your gift card and use it 6 days after your purchase?

We also found the 6 day window between purchase and use to be too coincidental, which raises several possibilities. Publix said when they run their Shell promotions, they ship a supply of new cards to each store and don't rely upon the gift cards that are already on hand. Publix also said the new Shell cards are packaged so that you have to destroy the package to remove the card. Our card was in one of these new tamper-proof packages. If I had to guess or speculate, I'd say Shell is the most obvious point of failure. Either someone has discovered the algorithms for assigning gift card numbers, and then someone simply checks the value on the account periodically, or has been able to hack their computer system for this info. I also believe the employee who processed the transaction in Miami also had to be part of the fraud.

We'll continue to purchase Shell gift cards whenever Publix runs their promotions but if it ever happened a second time that would be the limit for us.

[Villager Joyce]

There is like a 20 digit number that you would need to copy and then, how could you use it? Somehow encode it to a blank card? Don't know about this.....

I'm not a criminal, so I haven't worked it all out. When our visa was compromised, the card was in our possession. A purchase was made in a store, which should require the physical card. Chase said thieves use gift cards and impose the actual credit card numbers onto the card. Again, I'm not a criminal so I don't understand the technology.

[REDCART]

Update--Shell Gift Cards Services, Haggerstown, MD called a few minutes ago. They wanted documentation from me before replacing the original gift card. I thanked them and said that Publix Corporate replaced the card yesterday. Shell explained that they use a third party to print, distribute, and also to investigate fraud. That really opens up the pool of possible suspects.

It was reassuring to hear that Shell was prepared to step up and reimburse us. The young woman also commented that Publix, unlike so many small convenience stores who sell their gift cards, has been very quick to resolve problems with gift cards they sell. Now that's good to hear.

[Topspinmo]

The is what you get with the model T credit card system in the United States. NOthing computerized is safe from hackers. The only thing that can't be hacked is cash.
As far as the gas pumps? All these skimmer operation would more difficult if ALL the gas pump didn't have universal key that can be brought over the Internet by any tom, dick, or Harry! Shee!!! how dumb is that?

If I had gas station I would install hasp and padlock at least it would slow them down and may scare some off.

[starflyte1]

Publix has a $10 off $50 Visa card this week.

[Allegiance]

Chase visa has 5% off groceries this quarter 4/1-6/30, I think gift cards purchased at supermarkets count too.

[Jima64]

The is what you get with the model T credit card system in the United States. NOthing computerized is safe from hackers. The only thing that can't be hacked is cash.
As far as the gas pumps? All these skimmer operation would more difficult if ALL the gas pump didn't have universal key that can be brought over the Internet by any tom, dick, or Harry! Shee!!! how dumb is that?

If I had gas station I would install hasp and padlock at least it would slow them down and may scare some off.

They could also have a clerk regularly walk the pumps a few times a day and look at them.

[REDCART]

This morning we stopped for gas at Speedway on 27/441 in Fruitland Park and noticed that each pump had a blue security label which would be broken if the door on the pump were opened. Of course the crooks could replace one with their own security label but in this instance we noticed that all labels today were the same. It might be something to watch for in the future. Also the UTube video suggested avoiding pumps that are the furthest away from the attendant's observation.

[wisbad1]

I had same problem with Marathon card, twice. Went to use it , no good. Tried to call company was like calling Comcast. Person at station said "too bad". Never could get a refund from anyone,Publix or Marathon.