Sunoco gas stations, owned by Macfood Mart & McIntosh Energy in Fort Wayne, install EMV-chip card readers to their pumps to improve customer security on fuel transactions.
It’s likely that you remember the transition from standard swipe cards to the new and improved EMV chip credit and debit cards. Most of us didn’t bat an eye as our banks mailed us chip-enabled methods of payment and before we knew it, each shopping checkout experience was inundated with cashiers exclaiming, “You have to swipe still,” or “We can’t read chips yet.”
Eventually, our old ways of swiping were eradicated, and a new technological development became the new normal.
ENTER: EMV CHIP READERS
While stores became acquainted with chip-enabled credit card readers, other card readers lagged behind the transition—primarily gas station pumps.
What is EMV?
Simply put, EMV Chip-Enabled Cards are a new way to make your card less likely to be skimmed or counterfeited. EMV technically stands for Europay, Mastercard, and Visa.
The chip is visible on the front of your debit or credit card.
When you use an EMV card, a one-time code is generated, making it significantly less likely for hackers to use your card to pay for something down the road. In fact, fraud has declined nearly 76% since the implementation of EMV-chip, according to a Visa study.
Installation of EMV Chip Card Readers at the Pump
Throughout the past few months, Macfood Mart transitioned from standard magnetic strip card readers to the more advanced EMV-chip card readers.
Many gas stations have still yet to update, however, due to the price tag attached to these upgrades. Macfood Mart Sunoco is ahead of the curve, with having all of their stores already upgraded well-ahead of the October 2020 deadline for gas stations to comply with the upgrades.
Each of the four Sunoco stations previously had chip readers inside the store at the checkout counter. Now, they have completed the package with updating the fuel pumps, as well.
It may be difficult to notice much of a difference between the old and the new card readers, but when you insert your card is when you may notice a slight change.
How Do I Use My EMV-Chip Card at the Gas Pump?
The process is similar to how you use your chip card inside stores at the register, but it may take a little adjusting—and patience.
When you approach one of our Sunoco gas pumps to fill up your tank, you can insert your Macfood Mart Rewards Card as you previously did. After inserting and removing this card, you can insert your chip-enabled card.
Previously, you would be instructed to “quickly remove your card” to swipe your card. Now, you must leave your card inserted for about 10 seconds until the pump screen instructs you to remove your card.
This is a different process than what many of us may be used to, but the process mirrors your in-store purchase experiences with using a chip card.
While the transaction might take a few seconds longer and may have a small learning curve, before you know it, you’ll “card-dip” with the utmost ease.