Press "Clear" at the ATM machine or you may be overcharged-Fiction!

Be Sure to Press "Clear" at the Gas Pump to Prevent Being Overcharged-Fiction!

Summary of the eRumor:
The writer of the email says a friend found two $50 charges on her credit card from a gas station---when there should have been just one. She said it was because she did not press "clear" after finishing the transaction and an employee at the store was able to use the same pump to get gas for himself.

The Truth:
Several things to consider about this story.

1. We don't know if it's true. This could be a fictionalized account created by someone who has theorized that pressing the "clear" button at an ATM is necessary to finish a transaction. Many eRumors are fabricated from fears based on ignorance.

2. If it is true, there can be more than one explanation for the extra $50 charge including fraud by an employee at the gas station.

3. It is not true that the "clear" button needs to be pressed to finish the transaction. We checked with the folks at 'PayPoint, the organizations that provides all the ATM machines at Arco stations, which accept only ATM/Debit cards. They confirmed that the transaction is completed as soon as the gas is dispensed and the nozzle is returned to its place on the gas pump. There is no need to press the "clear" button.

updated 02/01/09

A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:

Using Gas Card at the Pump

A friend told me about something that happened to one of his coworkers. She used her credit/debit card to purchase gas at the pump (like most of us do). She received her receipt like normal. However, when she checked her statement, there were 2 $50 charges added in addition to her purchase. Upon investigation, she found out that because she did not press the 'clear' button on the pump, the employee inside the store was able to use her card to purchase his/her own gas! To keep this from happening, after you get your receipt, you must press the 'CLEAR' button or your information will be stored until the next customer inserts their card. Be sure to tell all your friends/family so that this doesn't happen to them!