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Pro tip: Stop swiping debit cards for gas unless you want a hold on your account
So I'm at the pump in Austin last week, trying to fill up after a long drive, and my card gets declined. I'm standing there feeling dumb because I know I have money in my account. A guy behind me just says 'debit card?' and I'm like yeah. He tells me the station puts a $100 hold on debit transactions and I didn't have enough free because I forgot about a bill that cleared earlier. I've been swiping my debit card for gas for like 10 years and never knew this. Always thought it was just the credit cards that did holds. Now I feel like an idiot but at least I know. Anyone else get caught by this lately?
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elizabethn561d ago
$100 holds on debit hit me at a Shell last month and wiped my grocery money for two days.
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Hold up, I actually think the holds are a good thing. It stops someone from draining your whole account if they steal your card and go wild at the pumps. Plus it forces me to keep a little extra cushion in checking instead of living right on the edge.
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