The next time you go to the gas pump, you might want to reconsider using a debit card to pay.
KMBC's Jim Flink reported that more gas stations and banks are holding between $50 and $100 out of the account for the transaction until the official amount clears the bank, which can take up to three days.
It doesn't matter if you're just topping off your tank for $5 or $10 -- a larger amount may be temporarily set aside to cover the purchase, which could hurt those whose funds are running low.
One local gas station confirmed that the practice is on the rise.
"I'm going to stop using my debit card if that's the case," customer Debbie Armstrong said.
"It's outrageous -- I just figured they used it like a credit card transaction," customer Daniel Hammontree said.
Some buyers said they'll continue to use debit cards to buy gas.
"I don't like using credit cards -- that's how you get into trouble," Angie Griffith said.
Flink reported that some banks also charge customers a fee of 50 cents up to a $1 any time they use their debit card, so if given the option, it might help to press the credit option instead of debit.
For more tips on what gas stations don't tell you, visit smartmoney.com.
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