Card info snagged by a gas pump card reader.

Does anyone here specifically use the Union 76 wireless pay at the pump App ? Pros and cons ? Other suggestions ?

The reason I ask is because my card info was recently snagged by a card reader. No harm, my bank refunded my money but just a hassle to re enter the new bank account number associated to other bills..

I get that cash is king and paying inside with your card is a little safer but neither one of those things are convenient.


Thanks in advance.

 

I always use my cash back credit card everywhere for every single thing I buy. 1.75% Free money and just pay the entirety of the balance each month. Plus if someone steals your credit card, they can't actually take your money and the bank just cancels the fradulent charge and gives you a new card.

 

This. I've gotten away from using my debit or bank account info when it's possible.

 

Always give a pull on the card reader at the pump before sticking your card in, I've made it a habit that I don't even think about anymore. The skimmers come off pretty easily. The police haven't seemed to really care either time I've found one though.
Paying via app the the pump is a bit more hassle than just using a card in my experience, though I haven't used Union 76 specifically.

 

I've been yanking on those card readers for years, so hard that I thought I was gonna rip it off the pump ! Lol Then I learned that some of them are installed inside the pump..

 

"Shimmers". Here's researcher that's dedicated a LOT of time to all types of skimmers: https://krebsonsecurity.com/all-about-skimmers/

I had an app on my Android phone for a while called Skimmer Scanner that looks for Bluetooth signatures on known skimmer hardware. I never found one around me so not sure if it actually worked, but it's another option to help stay aware if you frequently hit different gas stations.

 

Can’t speak about Union...

In Canada, with Esso Speedpass you open up your phone while in the truck, pick the pump, authorize it and then go and pump. Receipt auto sends in the app when done. Works great - it actually brought me back to Esso.

 

nice ! Are you using an android or Iphone ?

 

I started going inside and paying for fuel because of that very same thing.

 

I started last year using a service called Gas Buddy. It’s a free service and they send you a gas card in the mail. Works basically everywhere except for Exxon gas stations. It has an app and you can track mileage with. The card can only be used to buy gas and you have to use a PIN that you create so that makes it safer. You also get $0.05 per gallon every time you use it and gas stations will also give discounts more that $0.05 that you can go on the app and select. You have to select it on the app before you go. They are able to give the discounts because of partnerships and advertising.

https://www.gasbuddy.com/

 

I've been using the Speedpass+ app as well. I think the best part is not having to dick around outside on that screen on the pump with my gloves off in the winter. As long as I'm quick, I can set up everything while sitting in the truck, jump out and pump the gas then jump back in and go.

 

I’m digging this method !

 

Thank you guys for all the replies. It pretty much confirms my plan B. I have since switched to a credit card and would like to take it a step further by linking the credit card to gas stations that have wireless capability.

 

Same here. It's nice not having to touch the COVID coughed on pumps either. The only time they get cleaned is when it rains sideways.

 

I tried the BP app before and it was buggy. One time it wouldn't authorize at all so I just ended up using the physical card that was linked to the BP app and it worked. Then they offered some discount so I tried again and it worked. So next time after that, I pulled up the a BP station, started using the app and it told me that I'm 200 ft away from the station. That was the last straw and I stopped using the app.

I mostly always use my Costco credit card to pay for fuel since it offers me 4% cash back. Sometimes other cash back credit cards will offer 5% quarterly so that's when I'll use those cards. At $2 a gallon, the credit cards offer me 8-10 cents cash back. If I use my Chase with 5% cash back, transfer the points to the Preferred or Reserve card and use it on travel, it's even valued more!

 

I have a Discover and a Visa card that I put 99% of my purchases on. If someone steals your info, they shut it down pretty quick and it doesn't cost you anything and they just send you a new card. On the plus side; get into the habit of paying it off every month and never carrying a balance and Discover gives you 1% - 3% cash back. Doesn't seem like a lot until you put damn near all of your bills and purchases on. Adds up.
If you travel a lot, it's good to give them a call if you have a wife or kids with the same card. I got shut down at a restaurant over seas while my son was getting gas with our card on his way home from work at the same time. Texted my wife and she called them and it was working 5 minutes later.

 

this is what I do in the states with BP gas directly through their app .. Shell does it 3rd party through chase pay. Same result though put in pump number and it activates it through the app no physical card needed .. plus you save automatic $0.05 per gallon and sometimes more depending on reward status


(Someone else mentioned BP above and being buggy, knock on wood I’ve never had a single issue with BP. I use gas buddy as well, but still a physical card with them I really wish they would go app only it shouldn’t be hard to do)