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Did you know this?…
If you use a DEBIT card to pump gas, and you are not asked to enter your PIN, then the moment you swipe your card, $50 or so is “frozen” from your bank account in order to pay for whatever amount of gas you eventually pump there.
Here’s the catch: Even if you only pump say, $20… the remaining $30 that was temporarily being held is not immediately available to you!
It’s true. It’s called debit card blocking.
It happened to my friend the other day. And it showed up clear as day on the Bounced Check notice she received from her bank.
The Result: Bounced Check Fees!
While she knew she only had about $40 in her bank account at the time, she couldn’t understand why 3 small debits from her account (each under $5) had caused her to go over her current balance.
Alas, there in the itemized charges to her account appeared a debit of $50… followed by a credit of $45 several hours later. The times coincided with the time she was using her debit card to pump $5 worth of gas.
Here’s the rub: Before the $45 was credited back to her account, she had since made 2 other small debits (each under $5).
In “real” dollars, she was okay and remained within her actual balance. But in “hold” dollars, she was overdrawn.
This whole fiasco cost her $99 in bounced check charges! This type of debit card blocking is a practice also utilized by some car rental agencies and hotels.
The worst part: There’s never a sign anywhere telling you that this is happening.
So, the lesson here is… if you wish to use a debit card to pay for gas, your best bet is to pay inside the station. That way, you’ll only be charged for the exact amount of gas that you purchased.
Other Little-Known Facts About Debit Cards
1. Your debit card provides direct access to your bank account. For that reason, if your debit card is stolen (or otherwise misused, such as in an online transaction) you have less protection than if your credit card is stolen or misused. Here’s what you need to know.
2. Each time you use your debit card like a credit card (where you provide a signature for your purchase, but do not enter your debit card’s PIN number) the bank charges a hefty fee from the merchant. Which might also explain why companies like WalMart refused to accept debit cards a few years ago.
3. When using your debit card as a credit card (signature vs PIN number), the transaction will post to your account in a matter of days. However, when using your debit card as a debit card (entering your PIN number), the transaction posts to your account in a matter of minutes.
4. WARNING: Debit cards are now being stolen at the gas pumps! Here’s more about debit card skimmers and why choosing “credit” is still risky.
Check out the 9 places you should never use a debit card.
Gas stations are now posting signs to inform their customers that banks are likely to charge their debit card and that it is beyond the control of the gas station owners.
With input from Financial Advisors, (a Tax Accountant and an Investment Manager), I share helpful tips regarding money and finances — including debt relief, insurance, budgeting, and investing for retirement. My goal is to help you save more, spend less, and invest for the future by sharing honest, tried & true budgeting tips and tools. When I'm not saving for the future and helping others save for theirs, you can find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).
