Why do you have to enter a zip code to prepay for gas in the U.S.? Also..why do you have to prepay anyway?

Question

Why do you have to enter a zip code to prepay for gas in the U.S.? Also..why do you have to prepay anyway?

Answer 1

You're likely to be asked your billing zip code as a measure of protection against card fraud.  Card issuers lose billions each yeah in card fraud and this is one way to minimize it, in theory.  If you got the card in an envelope, though, it was addressed to the billing address and you've got the zip anyway...

Prepaying is common in many areas, because peole feel that they can steal gasoline because it's too expensive.  They feel they should be able to drive their behemoth wherever and whenever they want and if it means stealing a little gas from a big oil company, well, they are swimming in cash anyway, aren't they?

Problem is, the big oil company doesn't make a dime off station sales, they've already billed the retailer for the gas.  It's some station owner who you're s******g, a guy who makes about a buck off a 20 gallon purchase, no matter what the price of gasoline is.  It's easy to pick on big oil, problem is, you're not...

Answer 2

I have never had to enter a zip code in GA, AL, or MS.  You have to prepay because stores don't want you filling up and driving off without paying.  Could they be doing that so they can charge you the taxes that go with your area that you live in?  Maybe in large places, people drive out of area to get gas?

Answer 3

I haven't had to do the zip code thing, but they want you to prepay so you don't steal the gas. It's a shame that some folks feel they don't have to pay for something they got.

Answer 4

Untrue Untrue Untrue

The rules vary by gas station chain.

* You can go inside & prepay some chunk of money, then they turn on the pump for that amount

* You can get the gas without prepaying anything, then go inside and pay the money

* You can use a credit card to pay for the gas, at the pump or inside

* You can get the gas, without paying anything, then drive away, without paying anything, have a warrant issued for your arrest, and soon spend a lot of time in jail, and get your driver license confiscated

Answer 5

The zip code is an added measure for your security with your credit cards.  Makes it harder for people to use your credit card if they don't know your billing zip code.  You have to prepay these days because too many people were driving off without paying for the gas. It is an extra security measure for the owners of the gas station.  With gas prices as high as they are would you like it if people drove away without paying?

Answer 6

Entering your zip helps eliminate someone using your debit/credit card fraudulently. The zip has to match the billing address on the card or it won't work. Most, if not all, gas stations only do prepay so people cannot fill up, and race out of there without paying.

Answer 7

To use a debit or credit card, you will be prompted to enter your card's mailing ZIP code to help prevent unauthorized use of the card.

You must prepay for gas based on how easy it would be to fill up and run if you didn't pay up front.