Enter your zip code please -Across the street from you

Why was I asked for my zip code when I payed at the pump? ID verification?


Any idea why I was asked by the credit card machine at the pump for my zip code the last time I tried to pay with a credit card at the pump? This was at a BP. I payed with a visa. Rather not say the issuing bank, but it's a big one. Are gas stations starting to do this to verify identity since most gas purchases are over $25, which is the limit for purchases without a signature in most other cases?

That is my first guess, because when asked for my zip, I was pretty annoyed, because I thought it was for the station to collect demographic data. So I fed it a false one. Then it told me to see attendant, so either that data went to my bank for verification, and was turned down, the zip I gave it doesn't exists, so the station made me come inside, or the station doesn't want to let people who live far away (the zip I gave it would be from far away) pay at the pump, in case it's a scam. And then I realized that I had just given them my credit card number, so I was probably being ridiculous anyway. But if the station can easily see that information (i.e. if it's for demographics), well, I don't want them to. If it's just going to my bank to verify the card I'm using isn't stolen, I'm all for it.

I called my issuing bank and checked my latest purchases to make sure it wasn't because there was any "suspicious activity" on my account or anything. There wasn't.

Anyhow, the only 3 reasons I can think of are: 1) suspicious activity on my account, so extra verification required - ruled out, 2) Gas stations starting to do this as ID verification, and/or credit card companies asking that they do this, in which case I'm fine with it. They already have my credit card information. Not telling them anything they don't know. 3) Gas station collecting demographic information, which I'd prefer they not do.