[jdarner@aol.com]

Online banking shows two recent gas purchases on my debit card which I did not make. One showing Ocala and the other in Tampa totaling about $300.00. Apparently my card got hacked most likely at a gas station in TV. Anyone else with similar experiences?

[Kenswing]

I know awhile back there was a skimming problem at the Marathon station at Lake Deaton Plaza. That was a couple months ago though. A word of advice. NEVER use a debit card to get gas. At least with a credit card you have some protection against fraudulent charges. Much harder to straighten out with a debit card.

[retiredguy123]

Hopefully, your bank will reimburse you for the money you lost. But, if you had used a credit card instead of a debit card, they would have no choice. It would be mandated by Federal law. Always use a credit card.

[ohioshooter]

I never use my debit card for anything other than getting money at the bank. Burned before.

[Carla B]

Originally Posted by ohioshooter

I never use my debit card for anything other than getting money at the bank. Burned before.

Exactly. Have been warned to use them only at an ATM or at the bank.

[Babubhat]

Never. Ever . Use debit card at pumps. Always credit card

[Stu from NYC]

Never understood why people insist on using debit cards when a CC is so much better offering more protection

[PJ_Smiley]

Bought $50 Marathon gas card (Publix - buy $50 of groceries and get $50 gas card for $40). I used the Marathon cards for golf cart gas, so this one sat for quit a while as I had another card in the golf cart. When I went to use the new card it I had a few $'s on it. A hacker had mostly cleaned it out. I thought I was being smart and not using credit card or debit card at the pump. No recourse or reimbursement. My tough luck.
I'm going back to credit card. The Publix $50 for $40 doesn't look like that good of a deal now.

[REDCART]

Originally Posted by jdarner@aol.com

Online banking shows two recent gas purchases on my debit card which I did not make. One showing Ocala and the other in Tampa totaling about $300.00. Apparently my card got hacked most likely at a gas station in TV. Anyone else with similar experiences?

If you regularly use the same gas station in TV, it would be helpful to know where your debit card was likely hacked.

[jedalton]

Originally Posted by Kenswing

I know awhile back there was a skimming problem at the Marathon station at Lake Deaton Plaza. That was a couple months ago though. A word of advice. NEVER use a debit card to get gas. At least with a credit card you have some protection against fraudulent charges. Much harder to straighten out with a debit card.

my golfing buddy just had his hacked after he bought gas at Circle K on CR 466

[skippy05]

This used to happen to me when I used my debit card. I finally learned that using an Amex card it never happens.

[Just jimmy]

Why insert the card?? Most pumps have the tap feature. Can’t hack that.

[RiderOnTheStorm]

Originally Posted by jdarner@aol.com

Online banking shows two recent gas purchases on my debit card which I did not make. One showing Ocala and the other in Tampa totaling about $300.00. Apparently my card got hacked most likely at a gas station in TV. Anyone else with similar experiences?

We were hacked twice on a single trip from NY to FL. The police told us that hackers can secretly put a transmitter in the gas pump to broadcast your card information to a receiver in a nearby car. This information is usually immediately sold or used to purchase goods on your account.
The police also told us that the hackers will often run a bogus charge through the card (i.e. $1) to verify that the card is active before using it. The better cards (e.g. AMEX) will watch for these atypical charges, temporarily suspend the card and immediately call you on your cell phone. If the charge is fake, they permanently suspend the card and deliver a new card to you using overnight mail.
Hacking certainly isn't limited to gas stations. Anyone with a camera (e.g. waiter in a restaurant) can take a picture of your card and immediately begin using it.
Your best protection is to use a credit card (obligated to refund bogus charges), or better yet, cash. If you do use a card, never let it out of your sight.

[Dilligas]

Originally Posted by Carla B

Exactly. Have been warned to only use them only at an ATM or at the bank.

I had my debit card locked by the bank so it can only be used as an ATM card. I have never used a card as a debit card, only credit cards……more safety

[Wilson02852]

No

My credit card cannot be used at any gas station without me getting an immediated text alert. For that matter any charge creates an alert.

Check and see if your credit card provider has this service. If not get a more secure card.