A gas credit card is a type of credit card with either one of the possible credit lines. The first type is a pure gas credit card, like a fleet card, whose main credit can only be tapped for the purchase of gasoline or other car related products and/or services from affiliated service stations. The second type is a pure credit card where one of the larger discounts obtained on the use of the card is the purchase of gasoline products from partner service stations. What then are the issues involved with these cards and how can they be addressed.
1) Card integrity
Many cardholders weary from the commute absentmindedly hand over their credit card on the busy service station. And many times, the card falls on the driveway where oil and other grime affect the magnetic strip of the card. This means that the credit card integrity is affected and issues may arise as to the usability of the card. Or sometimes, the credit card gets demagnetized with the static electricity present in the metal equipment in the service station. This then erases the information in the magnetic strip rendering the card unreadable by the machine. Not only does one face the embarrassment of being declined, one has to pay and if unable be subject to further complication. So cardholders, be very aware of your credit card when in the gas service station.
2) Over-billing or double billing
Since credit card terminals are quite expensive, many service stations use old equipment well beyond their useful service life. So when one’s credit card is swiped, the reader head may either overbill or be unable to read the card. What the service attendant does is again swipe the card, which results in double billing on the card. How can one avoid this, go only to service stations with new terminals or if already in an out of the way area, be the one personally to swipe the card or have the card swiped in your presence. This avoids the issues on double billing, and one can double check with the receipt as to overbilling.
3) Loss or theft
Many credit card holders have been victimized by credit card loss or theft. There are many ways to lose a credit card, but the highest incidence occurs when one speeds off after filling up the tank and only to realize that the card was lost upon reaching the destination. As for theft, tools used to “copy” the credit card information strip is so prevalent nowadays and this is the leading manner of identity theft. By copying the strip’s contents, one is able to transfer it to a blank card and be able to access the credit balance and information of the original owner. How can this be prevented? For the loss, one has to be conscious of the card’s whereabouts at all times, and if need be swipe the card in one’s presence. As for the theft, going to reputable stations or having the card swiped in one’s presence is the way to avoid credit card theft. If one suspect’s misuse of one’s card, report the incident right away to prevent one‘s card and others’ from falling victim to these unscrupulous individuals.
See: Gas Credit Card
