EV charge problem

[Oldgator73]

So machines are "Credit/debit" will always ask for a PIN
Hit ENTER to bypass and use Credit.

Some are Debit only as CC companies charge the seller as well as the buyer .

There was no option to hit enter to bypass. I’ve pumped gas a million times and can count on one hand how many times I’ve been asked for a pin for my CC. And I’ve never come across a pump that does not accept debit cards.

 

[Lou Schneider]

There was no option to hit enter to bypass. I’ve pumped gas a million times and can count on one hand how many times I’ve been asked for a pin for my CC. And I’ve never come across a pump that does not accept debit cards.

Gas pumps that require entering the billing zip code for CC verification are common. Not really a separate PIN but serving the same function. The only debit card pumps I've seen were at ARCO stations when pay at the pump started coming into vogue - these had a central kiosk in the middle of the pump islands where you could deposit cash (like an ATM) or use a debit card. Essentially an automated stand replacing the procedure of visiting the cashier in the store. They've since converted to regular credit card driven pumps. The first ARCO station to accept credit cards was in Barstow, a popular refueling point on I-15 midway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas - they were losing too much business to credit card accepting competitors.

 

[Oldgator73]

Gas pumps that require entering the billing zip code for CC verification are common. Not really a separate PIN but serving the same function. The only debit card pumps I've seen were at ARCO stations when pay at the pump started coming into vogue

Many CC pump transactions I’ve encountered have required you enter the zip code but only a few have asked for a pin. As for debit cards I would posit any CC transaction can be completed using a debit card since debit cards, at least mine, can be used as a CC.

 

[DonTom]

There was no option to hit enter to bypass.

IIRC, some of the CC readers have a button for CC or debit. Only the debit will then ask for the pin.

The default could be debit if neither are selected.

-Don- Reno, NV

 

[Oldgator73]

IIRC, some of the CC readers have a button for CC or debit. Only the debit will then ask for the pin.

The default could be debit if neither are selected.

-Don- Reno, NV

Never came across that situation.

 

[DonTom]

Never came across that situation.

Easy to miss, if you're not looking for it.


"Gas station pumps determine whether a card is credit or debit based on the transaction code embedded in the card's magnetic stripe or chip data, not by reading the card number itself. When you swipe or insert your card, the system reads this code to identify the account type and processing network.

However, many pumps will still prompt you to select "Credit" or "Debit" for two primary reasons:

• Processing Path Selection: Selecting "Debit" typically routes the transaction through a PIN-based network, which often has lower interchange fees for the merchant. Selecting "Credit" routes it through a signature-based network.
• Authorization Holds: The selection can influence how the gas station sets the initial pre-authorization hold. While the card type is known, the prompt ensures the customer agrees to the specific hold amount associated with that processing path.

Using credit is generally recommended over debit for gas purchases because it offers stronger fraud protection and the authorization hold only affects your available credit limit, whereas a debit hold freezes actual cash in your checking account. "