SCAM ………. or not?

This has never happened to me before - and I wonder if it has ever happened to any of you?

I didn’t find out the details until I called my bank on Friday.

In Springfield, Utah, I stopped at a Flying J truck stop for gas.  I have used Flying J before and even on this trip and never had anything like this happen to me before.

I pulled into the area designated for private passenger vehicles and RV’s.    I put my debit card in the slot and got a message telling me to see the cashier.   When I went in to the cashier, I was told that my card was denied.  We figured it was because I was traveling and my bank, seeing the interstate use of the card had put a hold on it as a safety precaution - I had not thought to notify the bank of  my travels this time.

I used my credit card with no problem - which I thought was a bit strange because it was issued by the same bank as my debit card.

We went on our merry way and when we got to Kit’s I called my bank and this is what I learned.    When I inserted my card in the pump,  it tried to grab $500 from it - this particular account did not have $500 in it, so it was denied.  Needless to say, I was furious.

I am used to a bank putting a limit on purchases at a gas station - usually $75 - and it’s a pain when  I have to pump twice to fill my tank - but, well, that seems a reasonable action to me.   But to try to take $500 from me?  No way!

I called the Springfield Flying J and talked with the general manager.  He said very matter of factly (is that a correct thought?) that it is normal for the bank to do that and that in a few days, they will post the correct amount purchased and refund the difference.   I asked him what  if  that was the only account I had (it wasn’t) and  I was stuck in the desert for days until they refunded my $446?  (my fuel came to $54)
What he did was give me a “verbal shrug” - ie:  he said “yes, and then they would refund the difference.

I’m afraid at that point I lost my cool, and told him that I would never  use Flying J ever again and I hoped no one else got caught in their scam, and I hung up.

I have decided to send a copy of this blog to the Flying J home office.   Perhaps they have an intelligent, viable explanation for this--

Now, have I over reacted?   Is this something that happens regularly?  Have you had this happen to you?

I know that if posting for a purchase is delayed, normally $1 is posted so you know its being processed, but $500 - now, really!!!!???!

Until next time,
Bear Hugs

Boots and Tucker -
Diane, too!

She believed she could, so she did!