Find out which station will charge you extra the next time you fill up

With temperatures soaring, Carol Werner stopped by a convenience store to get a drink.

“I won't shop there again. I think that AMPM is taking advantage of the public,” said Werner.

Werner’s 77-cent soda actually cost her $1.28 because she stopped at Arco AMPM and paid with her debit card.

Arco has a 45 cent fee that you must pay every time you use your debit card at all Arizona Arco AMPM locations. And, since they don’t take credit cards, debit cards are used a lot.

The ABC15 Investigators made purchases of food and gas at a dozen Arco stations around the Valley using our debit card. We were charged that same 45 cent service fee -- every time.

“We are not making a single penny on this,” said Bob Aujla, who owns 23 franchises in three states including Arizona.

He is also the president of the state Arco Franchise Association.

Aujla said it's a fee charged by Arco's processing company.

“It has been Arco's philosophy, rather than floating a big credit card fee and all that they would rather give you a cash discount.”

Aujla said that while other gas companies roll their credit card processing fees into their prices at the pump, Arco keeps their prices lower by avoiding credit cards altogether.

But when you use a debit card, they pass that processing fee onto you.

Most of the time, you shouldn't have to pay that fee.

While it's not illegal here in Arizona, MasterCard told the ABC15 Investigators that it is against the company's rules.

Merchants are supposed to pay the processing fee.

They also said businesses can offer cash discounts, but they cannot charge a separate fee to customers who use one of their debit cards.

And while Visa has similar rules, the company spokesperson told us Arco falls into a tiny loophole that allows the fee.

It is not against the law in Arizona, but 10 states have laws against merchants charging a fee to use a credit card.

Only one state, Connecticut, has laws banning additional fees for debit card transactions.

Aujla said BP, which owns Arco, is aware of the complaints and is looking at other options.

“My suggestion is to go get your money back. It's your money; get it back,” said Werner.

And she is right. Like a credit card, you can dispute any charge through your bank that is not legitimate.

Werner did and got her 45 cents back.

MasterCard would not comment specifically on Arco's debit fee.

Arco and BP did not respond to our request for comment.

But, now Arco offers its own debit card -- and if you sign up for it, you'll avoid the 45 cent fee.