Debit card at gas station counts as "card not present" transaction?

[jhmulkey]

After a fraudulent charge on my credit card a few months ago, I signed up for text and email alerts for all my accounts. It only alerts me if the physical card is not used (e.g. online purchases).

For some reason, when I use my debit card at the gas station, my bank always sends me an alert stating that, "Your Debit Card **** account was used at [gas station] at [time] for [amount] without use of the physical card."

Any ideas why swiping your card at the gas station doesn't count as using the physical card?

[Mr. Jelly]

Maybe it's because you didn't sign for it.

[jhmulkey]

Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly

Maybe it's because you didn't sign for it.

I never have to sign for it when using it with a PIN. This is the only place (gas station) that this happens with.

[amyFB]

I guess it is equipment coding /configuration that isn't aligned with the vendor and cc merchant account.

Iow - the indoor credit card terminal is the latest and greatest while the gas pump is old .

[john57classic]

Does your card have a chip in it? Not sure if that was what Amy was getting at but I haven't been at a gas station pump that reads chips.

[jhmulkey]

Originally Posted by john57classic

Does your card have a chip in it? Not sure if that was what Amy was getting at but I haven't been at a gas station pump that reads chips.

Ah, yes it does. That must be it.

[robj144]

On a separate note, you shouldn't really use your debit card that much and especially at gas stations. When a debit card gets compromised, they get direct access to your checking account without any buffer. You should basically always use a credit card.