Fraud warning for gas card
 

I just tried to use a $50 Marathon Gas card at the Lake Deaton Marathon station. I had purchased the card at Publix during their last gas card weekend event. I had not used it previously so it could not have been skimmed. The card was declined at the pump. I went into the Marathon store to have the clerk check the card. It had a balance of 65 cents. I then called the Marathon phone number on the back of the card to see where it had been used. A charge had been made for $48.15 at a Marathon station in Doral, Florida. I am to speak with the Marathon fraud department tomorrow. Has anyone else experienced the same situation?

Was the security number scratched off, if so this is a common problem, the thief goes to the store records the 16 digit number on the card, and then removed the security cover on the security number, now somehow, they are able to determine when the card is activated, then they have all of the info to use the card. This has been going on for a long time and is the main reason i will not buy a card at a store. I am going to guess you will have a hard time getting reimbursed.

Scam has been going on for a long time, yet folks still buy these gas cards.

I have been purchasing gas cards at Publix for several years whenever they are on sale. I always keep the receipt until I use it the first time. You should have gone back to Publix with the card and the receipt. I never had a problem with their cards. Sorry for your troubles. The world we live in. Everyone wants to make a quick buck without working for it.

We have been using them for years with no issues. We keep the receipt until we use them for the first time.

Just my opinion, but gas cards are more trouble than they're worth, as in this case.

True, but if you get them for 20% off as the OP did with the usual Publix deal it's a decent savings and for some worth the hassle. $10 is $10.

That being said, I stopped buying them because I don't go to Marathon but I used to get them for Shell from the Publix promo a couple years ago and NEVER had an issue.

IMO safer than sticking debit card in them. At lease you only lose small amount on card. I use circle K cards. I will not stick my credit card in unless it absolutely emergency which I haven’t had in 70 plus years.

I bet it’s inside job, how else would the be able to skim card?

Not sure if gasoline gift cards have security numbers or not but with gas gift cards you need to physically put them into the reader so I don't believe just having the codes would do you any good as you can't manually enter the gas card number at a pump just as with credit cards. You need the physical card at a gas pump or inside the store. That's how SHELL worked anyway as a place I worked would always provide me with Shell gift cards. Most other cards that is definitely a long running major scam as is skimming at the gas pump but skimming a gas gift card does no good, skimming a credit card at a gas station is different. IMO the Publix cashier swapped their own used card for a new one because they keep boxes of them under the counter for these promos and have plenty of time to switch it out.

What they do is a card switch. They switch a previously used card for one on the rack (or the cashier does it using one of THEIR used cards which seems more likely in this case). "Skimming" or copying the codes on a gasoline gift card card would do no good at a pump or in the station's store as they won't take codes from Gas gift cards (or probably any other) for purchases.

IMO Easier than getting in line paying cash for gas.

Apple Pay is the only way to go these days. I'm sure you can find other ways to save $10 than sketchy gas cards.

Because the cards are kept behind the counter, for the most part, sounds possible that an employee sold the number.

Another reason to drive an EV.

I don't buy many gift cards, but when I do, I always keep the receipt and immediately scratch off the security number and call to verify the amount on the card, and take a photo of both sides of the card. I think if you had done that, you would have discovered that the security number had been tampered with and the card amount was incorrect. Also, having a photo of the card will allow you to replace the card if you lose it.

and what happens to the EV battery when they used up ? what landfill ?
 

So much is said about EV s but the question no one seems to want to canver is
Where do the dead EV batteries go ? and what is the cost of replacing the battery ?

I have stock in Waste Management and was on the call for the virtual stockholders meeting and this question was raised, and Waste management answer was very non-committal

Does anyone know the answer and the cost ?

A "debit" card should never be used for anything but access to your bank.
People should be using credit cards for purchases as it is NOT your money that gets stolen. Just pay the bill.

Ohiobuckeye
 

I’m afraid scamming will get worse. Look at our economy!

Get mugged while you wait an hour or more stranded at a public charging station.

Mugged and robbed at gas station
 

I've never heard anyone getting mugged and robbed at any EV charging station but I have read hundreds of articles about being robbed mugged or carjacked at gas stations as well as ladies getting their purses ripped off, so much for your theory

We use them quite a bit at Lake Deaton Marathon; never been a problem.

I was at a car wash one night and three little hood rats pulled up and and attempted to take my truck; that didn’t happen. With my martial arts training, I took 2 down and the third one waiting in their car took off; left the other 2 laying on the ground; the Sheriff’s Dept. arrived shortly thereafter and took them to jail.

This happened to me and I returned the gas card to Publics, and they gave me another gas card. They were great about it.

You should get the station security video. Love to see that. ;)

:BigApplause:

:crap2:

[QUOTE=EdFNJ;2120047]Not sure if gasoline gift cards have security numbers or not but with gas gift cards you need to physically put them into the reader so I don't believe just having the codes would do you any good as you can't manually enter the gas card number at a pump just as with credit cards. You need the physical card at a gas pump or inside the store. That's how SHELL worked anyway as a place I worked would always provide me with Shell gift cards. Most other cards that is definitely a long running major scam as is skimming at the gas pump but skimming a gas gift card does no good, skimming a credit card at a gas station is different. IMO the Publix cashier swapped their own used card for a new one because they keep boxes of them under the counter for these promos and have plenty of time to switch it out.[/QUOTE

I had a cashier swipe a $50 gift card at a grocery store checkout once and when I noticed my purchase total was more than expected asked to see items scanned before I paid. Sure enough there was the $50 card about which she played dumb. Needless to say, when I went back she was no longer employed at the store. I always check my receipts before I leave the parking lot and find more errors than one might expect.

This is why I stay with Sams Club and Wawa phone apps. Wawa even has promos for $.15 off a gallon if you use the phone app.

Do they charge you to charge your car? How long does it take for a charge? Can you sit in the car w/the ac on while charging?

If you live in a house maybe but if you live in an apartment you still need to go to charging station.

BS. Debit Cards have a PIN which is more secure than a credit card. Banks will also protect you on fraudulent debit card purchases.
I just wouldn't link my life savings to a debit card, maybe just a modest checking account.

What are you gonna do with the battery when it dies, can’t recycle it and what about the cobalt how do you feel about that. Stop pushing EV they are far worse

Not exactly. Debit cards have a PIN, but you don't need to use it when making a purchase. You just select "credit" on the key pad and the PIN is not required. But, when you use a debit card, even when you select "credit", you do not get access to the credit card transaction dispute process that is mandated by Federal law. Under the Federal law, you have 60 days from the statement date to dispute a credit card charge, and the bank must immediately remove the charge and independently investigate your dispute. Yes, most banks do have a process to correct fraudulent debit card charges but it is not mandated by Federal law. So, you must depend on the bank's process for resolving disputes, and you may not be able to appeal their decision to the Federal Government, like you can with a credit card dispute.