driving up to a QT (quicktrip) gas-pump … this time i did not hear the familiar “beeps” when punching in my security-code … but there were beeps for choosing “credit” and “no-receipt” options.
so … was the oem-keypad overlaid/underlaid with a hacker-keypad? the omission of the “beeps” … is that a generic tell-tale sign that the factory-keypad has been circumvented? this is the first time i have not heard the “beeps” when punching in the code. i had purposely chosen a gas-pump closest to the attendant … looked for the ubiquitous “safety seal” tape/sticker … the card-reader was not loose … the lock didn’t appear to have been “jimmied” … and there were no miniature cameras that i could see.
being paranoid … i been checking my account everyday to make certain nothing is outta’ place. so … what say you, dopers?
I assume this is a serious question. As far as I know, (from reading how this works) the skimmer is put on the pump to record credit card details as the card slides by and then at some point is removed and the data is mined.
So yeah, the pump will work as normal, it’s just that the info is stolen as the card is slid past the skimmer into the machine.
If that’s not how it happens, someone please correct me.
Quit using a debit card and you won’t have these problems. Or, more precisely, any problem you do have will be the bank’s loss, not yours.
A challenge with “watching your account” is that skimmers may not sell your account to whoever’s going to use it for weeks or months or years. It’s impractical to be on red alert for possible unauthorized withdrawals indefinitely. Once again, a credit card solves this problem completely.
They do, but the coverage isn’t as good as for credit cards. Depending how quickly the unauthorized charge is reported, the card holder is on the hook for $50, $500, or everything. Plus, since we still use checks for really critical things like paying rent, and debit cards are usually attached to checking accounts, having to deal with an account freeze can be a huge pain in the ass.
Not by US law. Under US law, 100% of the liability is on the consumer. Plus the consumer is liable for all consequential problems like bounced check fees, late fees on 3rd party accounts they can’t pay on time, etc.
As the competition for providing debit cards has heated up some banks offer some extra protections. Or at least advertise that they do. How often they weasel on them is their trade secret. Many (most?) still don’t.
I’m unaware of any state regs on topic. But of the four states I know well, there’s no state-level protections either. Not sure whether this would be an area subject to Federal preemption of the states’ rights to regulate.
Strictly speaking, I don’t think banks are legally required to cover the losses, but I suspect that most banks would do that. I add my voice to those who say do not use a debit card; use a credit card, preferably one that pays cash back. Pay the full balance automatically from your bank account each month. There is no reason NOT to do this.
1978 actually. The limits on debit card liability were part of the “Electronic Fund Transfer Act” which became law in 1978. See § 909 “Consumer liability.” It is now codified as 15 USC § 1693g
You don’t have to worry about skimming even with a debit card if you use the tap (RFID) feature if the card and merchant supports it, where you just touch the card to the reader, since there’s no insertion or PIN entry involved. I’ve been doing this with my debit card for years. There’s a merchant-specific dollar maximum but it’s usually $100 which covers the majority of casual purchases.
Contact your bank and get a new debit card number … and set a new PIN …
Another advantage of using a credit card, and paying the balance every month, it that it improves your credit score … maybe get a better rental unit, pay lower insurance rates or buy yourself an electric car …