Arco Station in Fullerton, CA. Charged my debt card 93.93- I cannot locate original receipt, but would never spend this amt. at an ARCO. Filed fraud with Bank, they would not do anything. Went to ARCO in person, manager there, says go back to the bank! ARCO would not do anything! I want to contact corp. offices of ARCO or the company that runs there credit/debt, does anyone know how to contact them?
Steve
Bradenton,#2Consumer Comment
Thu, January 06, 2011
I have never experienced any sort of hold when using my debit card at any gas station regardless of brand as I always select "debit" at the pump and input my pin.
I have noticed that if the debit card is used as "credit" there is sometimes a hold like you experienced. Always perform a pin based debit transaction to avoid problems.
Another option is to get a gas card and just never use your debit card at gas pumps.
Another option is to "prepay inside, and overestimate your purchase by just a few dollars, as this will force the station to "clear the hold" with the bank to settle out your purchase. For example, if you know that your vehicle will take $32-$35 , go inside and "prepay" $40. Now, you pump your gas and say it's $34.50. The station now owes you $5.50, right? The clerk either has to give you the cash difference, or void the transaction and re-ring it for $34.50. Either way, you have protected yourself from an excessive "hold" situation.
ARCO really sucks anyway in so many ways. When I lived in Vegas, I wouldn't even go near an ARCO. They are horrible all the way to the top.
And, Ronny, I doubt the government will ever do anything about the excessive hold thing, as the customer has options in place to avoid it. It is a CHOICE to use the card and accept the hold, or not use it.
Ronny g
North hollywood,#3Consumer Comment
Thu, January 06, 2011
The gas stations require the banks to place a "hold" when you swipe a card so they can verify the account can cover the purchase. All the hold "legally" has to be.. is for a few seconds., but some banks are a*holes and will hold the funds for days.
The hold will most likely be released in two-three days.
Best way to avoid this? Use cash for gas...especially at an Arco...they suck almost as much as the bank. If you do not prefer to use cash...pre-determine an amount of gas you want to put in...tell this to the attendant (the "machine" on the island gives no other options)..and then swipe the card inside.
Unless your account can handle a hold like this for days (could be up to $100.00)..it is the best advice until our Government's administrative system figures out how to deal with this "flaw" or glitch in the system.
Steve
Bradenton,#4Consumer Suggestion
Wed, January 05, 2011
This really is very easy.
Simply dispute the transaction with your bank. Demand to see a copy of the transaction record and/or reciept.
If they give you any problem at all, refer them to Regulation E, federal banking regulations.
Flynrider
Phoenix,#5Consumer Comment
Wed, January 05, 2011
You really need to deal with the bank on this. They are the only ones that can reimburse a fraudulent transaction.
"Filed fraud with Bank, they would not do anything."
What does that mean? Did you file an official fraud report and get a response back? What did they tell you? The standard procedure is for the bank to reverse the transaction until they can determinewhether or not youwere the one who did the transaction.
If you're not getting satifaction from the bank, you need to escalate it on that side. As far as ARCO is concerned, you made a valid transaction. No retailer is going to cooperate with your personal investigation.