Gas stations in Orlando where you need a zip code when paying at the pump.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family and I noticed that a lot of the gas stations in Orlando require you to enter your zip code when wanting to pay at the pump. Since my family and I are Canadian we don't have one, so we could not pay at the pump. Anyway from our personal experience the gas stations where you don't need a zip code is the Hess location at the Magic Kingdom Car Care Center and another gas station by International Drive and Sand Lake Road. So I am wondering do most of the gas stations in the Orlando area require you to insert a zip code when wanting to pay at the pump?

 

[zurgswife]

must be something new...last time I rented a car last year never had to input a zip code, wonder why??

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

must be something new...last time I rented a car last year never had to input a zip code, wonder why??

The message saying to put in your zip code always came up after my Dad inserted his credit card, so until he does that we have no idea if the gas station will require to put a zip code in when paying at the pumb.

 

[LISAVWL]

some gas stations in our area just started this -- it has something to do with verifying your billing address for credit card purchases. I guess it deters using stolen credit cards.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

If you select DEBIT then you enter a PIN# and it doesn't ask about a zip code. If you select CREDIT then some stations do ask for your zip code before it clears you to fill up. I'm surprised that it would ask that question for a Canadian credit card or any foreign card for that matter. I'll have to read the instructions a bit closer next time and see what it says. Of course you can always select PAY INSIDE and pay with the credit card inside.

I've seen the ENTER BILLING ZIP CODE at RaceTrac, RaceWay and 7-Eleven (Citgo) and Circle K (Unocal 76) stations. I don't recall any HESS stations that ask for that.

BobK/Orlando

 

[U2_rocks!]

I saw that last month when I was filling up the car to return it! I didn't know what to do! I was alone (I'd dropped the family off at the Hyatt where we were spending our last night, and I'd gone to return a few things at the Florida Mall before taking the car back), and I never pump gas (our gas stations are all full service at home), so already I was at a disadvantage. Then I see this zip code thing. I didn't want to risk trying to use my credit card at the pump and not be able to complete the transaction, so I went inside. I had to PREPAY what I thought I'd need (how would I know?? I don't usually buy gas in the U.S., and I don't know the car! ) before they'd release the pump! I actually estimated within $3, which amazed me, but I had to go back in and get the total adjusted downward (I over-estimated to be safe, so I wouldn't have to pump twice). It was just a big pain, and at 9 p.m., by myself, after a long day, and with the rental return still to come, I wasn't all that happy.

Oh well, live and learn.

 

[bavaria]

this is common at Chevron in several states. I have been to almost every US state and rent a car almost weekly. While Chevron is my gas station of choice in North America, I have learned to avoid them in certain states. I don't believe that Hess has such a policy in Florida, however.

 

[Uncleromulus]

At some pumps around here they also want your date of birth and year of HS graduation--

 

[Lewisc]

Many of the service stations in the United States are independently owned. Locally some Hess and some Exxon stations ask for a zip code. It may be a function of what bank/system the station has contracted with for credit card processing more then the brand affiliation of the station.

QUESTION, is there any way you can call your credit card company and have a 5 digit number listed as a "zip code"? Otherwise allow enough time to go inside to process your credit card.

 

[tiki23]

Almost all gas stations -chain and private - up here in the Seattle area now ask for your zip code when you use a credit card. It is indeed to prevent credit card theft, so I imagine it will be standard everywhere soon.

 

[DVC-Don]

We are not a gas station, but an insurance agency and we now have to input the billing zip code when someone pays via credit or debit card.

 

[bumbershoot]

Almost all gas stations -chain and private - up here in the Seattle area now ask for your zip code when you use a credit card. It is indeed to prevent credit card theft, so I imagine it will be standard everywhere soon.

Oh good gravy. We're in Tacoma and haven't seen that at all yet. How obnoxious! Though at the same time, sometimes it weirds me out how easy it is to use the CC option at gas pumps....so I suppose it's a good idea. But still obnoxious.

 

[seashoreCM]

I'm surprised that the zip code or other identifying information has not caught on sooner with these self pay self service pumps. Somewhere I heard that a lot of thieves try out the stolen credit card in such a pump to see whether the card works.

I have used some of those pumps. Except I have some cards where the billing address is my post office box that has a slightly different zip code. Sometimes it does not let me try again but tells me to go inside to pay.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

QUESTION, is there any way you can call your credit card company and have a 5 digit number listed as a "zip code"? Otherwise allow enough time to go inside to process your credit card.

That is something we never thought of, however I don't think we would want to take a chance incase if it does not work. So if we have to then we will pay inside and not at the pump, because that would the easiest solution.

 

[Lewisc]

That is something we never thought of, however I don't think we would want to take a chance incase if it does not work. So if we have to then we will pay inside and not at the pump, because that would the easiest solution.

If it doesn't work you just go inside, show the credit card and if asked photo ID.

IF THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY will do it then it will work. I don't think your family are the only Canadians that have this problem. More gas stations are starting to ask for zip code.

 

[tiki23]

Oh good gravy. We're in Tacoma and haven't seen that at all yet. How obnoxious! Though at the same time, sometimes it weirds me out how easy it is to use the CC option at gas pumps....so I suppose it's a good idea. But still obnoxious.

Hi Bumbershoot!

Really obnoxious is when you change your address with the bank after you've moved and then put the wrong zip code in at the pump...not that I've ever done that...

 

[merryweather's twin]

I hate this. We paid cash at the pump last week so we would not have to give out this info. I would not mind so much if all the credit card co.did not ask for zipcodes as Id validation to get account balances and to make changes on the account when you call. It is like giving the machine the card numbers and the "code" to get access! Now they can get the phone numbers on the net so they can call and find out how much of your money they can spend.....Who would do that at the rate of these things getting hacked into or the info getting sold by station attendents wou only make min. wage? I won't..... not in FL.

 

[Tissa]

We just drove from Texas to WDW last week and this was the first time I noticed the zip code thing from Chevron. They do not ask for it if you use your Chevron card (which we did) but did ask for it for Visa/MC.

It's really no big deal and helps with fraud, just enter in your billing zip code or walk inside.

I run a flower shop and when people call in and give their cc# I also have to have their billing address for the cc for approval or they will not get the flowers. Helps protect us from fraud.

 

[Detailor]

I came across this for the first time last year at a gas station in Tampa. I thought that it was a good idea - particularly in vacation areas. If it cuts down on fraud, maybe credit card threat will drop off.
I do not fear my shadow, no one is sneaking up on me. It's just a dark, skinny version of me.

Dick Taylor

 

[dis-happy]

I've been running into this for at least 2 years (maybe 3?) while visiting the west coast (CA). Guessed that fraud was a bigger problem is this was part of the solution. It wasn't that big a deal, but then again I have a zip code.

My BIL (from CA) had a much bigger problem with a rental car in Georgia. He was thrown by NOT having to pre-pay before pumping gas and didn't know what to do. LOL!