Why do gas stations require a ZIP code for card payments while almost no other type of (physical) merchant requires this verification?

Question

Why do gas stations require a ZIP code for card payments while almost no other type of (physical) merchant requires this verification?

In: 4

Answer 1

I was told by a gas station attendant to just put in 5 numbers, it doesn’t matter if it’s actually your zip code or not. It’s just looking for 5 numbers to be entered.

Answer 2

It’s additional verification the card is yours. Gas tends to be a large purchase and to reduce chargebacks they require additional verification. A CCV code on the back is basically an encoded zip code as well, but someone with a stolen card would know the CCV but not the billing zip code.

Answer 3

If you use the tap/contactless technology at a gas pump, it will not ask for your zip code.

Answer 4

Any additional levels of verification/authentication makes the processing fees cheaper for the merchant.