Credit card scam at Faro airport petrol station

[Allenshouse]

We have just returned from Faro and, when using the petrol station next to the airport, experienced a potential scam.
The cashier quoted the same amount as on the pump but handed the keypad to me after pressing the " confirm" button.
Thinking this was odd, as every credit card transaction in Portugal requires the cardholder to confirm the amount, I checked the amount on the credit card receipt.
It was €10 higher than the fuel used.
On querying this the cashier immediately picked up a €10 note from the side of till and gave it to me.
To me, this looks to be a well practiced scam - the money he returned was already out of the till - and there was no checking with the pump.
I guess they assume most customers would not check the card receipt or when they they do they have left the petrol station.

[laserblazer]

I try not to use that filling station if possible. Depending on how much fuel the previous user has left, I go straight to Portimao Retail Park or do a splash and dash at Loule Services.

Thanks for the warning.

[Michael Crane]

Good scam. I always pay in cash, preferring to keep my card details to myself.

A couple of years back I was asked for my Visa card details and security number on the back when paying in cash as a guarantee for car hire. I was OK with the details, but I told the lad asking for it that the security number is only needed for transactions when the card cannot be physically seen, as in online purchases. He insisted that he needed it, so, in order to get the car I told him it. I then left the airport, rang Visa and reported that my card had been compromised and they stopped it immediately.

[Stevie-C]

Good scam. I always pay in cash, preferring to keep my card details to myself.

A couple of years back I was asked for my Visa card details and security number on the back when paying in cash as a guarantee for car hire. I was OK with the details, but I told the lad asking for it that the security number is only needed for transactions when the card cannot be physically seen, as in online purchases. He insisted that he needed it, so, in order to get the car I told him it. I then left the airport, rang Visa and reported that my card had been compromised and they stopped it immediately.

So, if you didn't have a CC would you not have been given a car? Do the car hire companies stipulate that unless you have a credit card you will not be able to hire a car evwn when paying cash?

[wattsey]

That seems to be the case Stevie-C. We normally use Algarvedriver for car hire and on our last visit a german customer in front was getting very irate that the rep insisted on a credit card even though the customer was paying in cash. I presume it's a safeguard against damage to the car.

[Michael Crane]

I was told that the GNR need the security number to know that the card is genuine! This was nonsense, so I cancelled my card. Visa told me I had done the right thing. Once a 'crook' has your card details all they need then is the security number to buy online. Well, that is mostly the case, but I have now signed up to Verify by Visa and prefer to use online sites that use it.

[shanagarry]

Car Rental companies will not accept payment in cash. The credit card is their security.

In the same way they will not accept payment by a Debit Card. Their logic being that a Debit Card can only be used up to the balance in the holder's account - while a credit card puts the credit card company on the hook (it's the nature of the merchant agreement between the parties).

It is possible that a broker (like those at Faro) may take a cash payment - the ultimate owner of the vehicle will require security and a credit card is their best chance. Consider their position - you are being handed an asset with an approximate value of €10,000 for a payment of €300+/-. The scams that have riddled that industry are legion, with insurance cover quadrupling in the last 5 years - the major players have had to take drastic action to protect themselves - the smaller players have fallen by the wayside. That can be evidenced by the reducing numbers of rental cars available here in Portugal at peak times - and that situation is set to continue

[James Faro]

This could be a scam but it may have been a mistake.

I doubt if the cashier would benefit personally as this garage is part of a chain of Portuguese large chain of petrol stations.

The only high-profile celebrity i know this has happened to was Esther "Sausages" Rantzen in Hampstead, London; but that entailed her card being cloned or similar.

I filled up my tank at this garage before putting the car back to Auto Jardim and I had to press the confirmation amount etc when I used my debit card.

Good warning nonetheless as it may happen elsewhere.

[bruce]

We have just used Zitautos and they took cash and never asked for any credit card or other details.

[Michael Crane]

We have just used Zitautos and they took cash and never asked for any credit card or other details.

I use zitauto now for that reason, and shall be doing so this time tomorrow.

[wattsey]

This could be a scam but it may have been a mistake.

I doubt if the cashier would benefit personally as this garage is part of a chain of Portuguese large chain of petrol stations.

I presume the cashier would pocket the cash not put in the till. As long as there aren't too many people like allenshouse, the till would balance at the end of the day.

[shanagarry]

We have just used Zitautos and they took cash and never asked for any credit card or other details

That's because they are a broker and not the owner of the car. They (the owner) will have a bond or some form of security to cover their exposure

[laserblazer]

We have just used Zitautos and they took cash and never asked for any credit card or other details.

I use zitauto now for that reason, and shall be doing so this time tomorrow.

Are you going to be out next week?

[Michael Crane]

21 to 25, staying with Roy4eyes.

see here

[pato]

Last time I hired a car from the airport I was surprised to see the tank was empty, the rep said "the car needs refueling you can purchase petrol at the station over there", I've never used that one before or had an empty tank, so are they, the reps, on commission?