Re:Swiping left on magnetic stripes
by throwawayboise on Monday August 16, 2021 @04:20PM
(#28202433)
The holdouts have long been the gas station fuel pumps. Though that is finally changing at least where I am many stations now support chip and tap card payments.
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Gas stations around me (Utah) have all replaced their magstripe with a dual magstripe/chip reader. It drives me nuts though, because you still have to insert your card ALL THE WAY IN as if you're using the mag stripe, and then it decides which one to use.
Are gas stations not a big target for skimmers? Why didn't they design it to avoid the magstripe-skimmers? have two inserts or something, I don't care. But now we're a FULL generation of gas station pumps away from being free'd from skimmers. I just don't understand.
Also, don't get me started on the audio/video ads at the pump these days. They're the worst. I'd rather have to pay inside than have "while you're pumping" ads.
A lot of pumps with the chip readers also have contactless readers, but the on-screen prompts still just say "insert card". If your chip card is also contactless, you should be able to just hold it in front of the contactless reader and save both time and wear.
Re:Swiping left on magnetic stripes
by Scoundreller on Monday August 16, 2021 @04:33PM
(#28202591)
What I like about the gas station ones, at least where I am, is that they use Zero insertion force contacts instead of brush contacts, so they won’t wear out the connector or your card. You can hear the machine click up and down as it engages.
Re:Swiping left on magnetic stripes
by jwineinger on Monday August 16, 2021 @04:30PM
(#28202556)
In my area (Minneapolis), Costco is the only fuel station I've seen with actual tap to pay (and it handles the Costco membership check as well).
Some BPs have tap here too. I've seen the hardware at a couple of Speedways but it didn't work last I tried.