Gas Stations: Crime Stoppers

Thieves, consider yourselves on notice!

Gas stations are tough on crime.

That's why you have to input your zip code after you swipe your card while paying at the pump. I suppose if you go inside and purchase gas, then you don't have to input your zip code. You just have to make an unintelligible mark on that 3 inch screen.

Gas stations are tough on crime as long as you are paying at the pump.

Of course, when you live somewhere that is 40 miles from any other gas station, and 100% of people pumping gas share a zip code, that makes guessing the zip code a pretty easy proposition. In this situation, the thief will find himself without gas only if he can't remember his own zip code.     

Gas stations are tough on crime as long as you are paying at the pump and don't live in the middle of nowhere.

Then again, some gas stations have instituted a new security policy to replace the zip code policy. This is my favorite. After you have swiped the card, you must then type in the last four digits of the card you swiped three seconds earlier.  I can imagine one scenario in which this brilliant measure could do some good. Thief steals card. Thief swipes the card to pay at the pump then IMMEDIATELY throws the card as far as he can into the air; a gust of wind catches the card and blows it out of sight. Ah ha! Foiled! 

Gas stations are tough on crime as long as you are paying at the pump, don't live in the middle of nowhere, and hang on to the card for at least 4 seconds after swiping the card.

Thieves, maybe you should steal a bike instead of a credit card. Then you'll be able to sleep at night, and not lie in bed wondering where your next tank of gas will come from.