While trying to buy some gas today on my way home from work, I ran into a problem. It seems SuperAmerica is piloting a new security measure at their pumps. After swiping your credit card, you are required to enter the zip code associated with the card in order to continue with the transaction. Below is the complaint I have sent to the company which explains why prompting for a zip code at the pump provides no additional security.
Dear Sir or Madam,
Today I stopped at the SuperAmerica in Richfield, MN (store #4191). After swiping my credit card at the pump, I was prompted for my zip code. I did not see any reason SuperAmerica needed my zip code to complete the transaction as I have previously completed transactions without giving that information. I entered 00000 and then pressed enter as instructed. The transaction was canceled and I was forced to begin again. I concluded that it must be looking for the zip code associated with my credit card, which was later confirmed by a cashier. The cashier went on to state that the zip code requirement is a security measure that had recently been put in place at the store. The cashier also stated that this policy was being tested at this particular store, and had not been implemented at all SuperAmerica stores.
I am pleased to know that SuperAmerica is concerned about the security of its customers, however the measures SuperAmerica has implemented do not provide any further security. Zip codes are not regarded as secure data and the general public does not protect them as such. If a thief is in physical possession of my credit card, they are also in possession of my full name. With a credit card number, a name, and a general idea of where the card was taken from, it would not be difficult for the thief to locate my zip code using a phone book, the Internet, or some other means.
I strongly urge SuperAmerica to reconsider the decision to prompt for zip codes during credit card transactions at the pump as it does not provide SuperAmerica’s customers any additional security. Furthermore, customers who naively and falsely believe this policy provides additional security are being deceived by SuperAmerica. If SuperAmerica does not consider my concerns, I will be forced to refrain from making any future transactions with SuperAmerica.
same thing happened to me today at a Burnsville MN SA. I figured it was a tactic to gather marketing info so I entered “55555″. I got the transaction cancelled see cashier message. I went to see cashier but there was a long line. I crossed the stree to BP and filled there. Good riddance SA…
Nice job!!
The gas stations in my town have been doing this forever. Now… in St. Cloud… if someone stole my card we DO have a few zip codes. So Mr. Thief would have to sit and look up my name in the phone book… which he won’t find because I am under my dad’s name. Then he would have to guess zip codes. If the gas pumps are anything like my computer… if you enter a wrong code once or twice it’ll lock you out of the account for 8 million years. By this time… Mr. Thief will say “to heck with it” and just go mug some little old lady for some cash. So… I don’t know how I feel about the gas pumps asking me for my zip code. What next… my blood type? Hair color?
I never did hear back from those bastards. They sent me an email about 2 weeks after I sent my original complaint saying they were forwarding it to the proper department.