This has been true for years. NEVER pay at the pump with a debit card. They only read the card for a few seconds to make sure it is valid and put a hold on it. That saves bandwidth charges on the computer network. Of course in years past it may have only been $30 or $40, and with the rising price of gas, they have to increase the hold.
Another thing I have noticed some gas stations doing is when you pay with a CC at the pump, the most they will let you pump is $50. That is a bit aggravating when I want to fill up and it takes about $68 to fill my tank. I wait till my tank is empty, then fill it. Then, when I try to continue to fill the tank on a new transaction, my CC asks me to come inside because it is two consecutive transactions at the same location. It is really a PITA.
Carol