If you want to use your debit card to make a purchase at the local gas station, you may be rejected if your bank account has less than a $35 balance.

A story in the Wall Street Journal pointed out that the electronic processing system at the pump will block your debit card unless you have at least $35 in the account. This can be a rather startling development if you want to make a $10 purchase and only have $34 available.

According to the article, there are some ways around this dilemma, such as using a credit card or withdrawing cash from an ATM. Or ask the station attendant to manually authorize a small pre-paid amount on the card.

Gas stations are trying to protect themselves from consumers who use a debit card without adequate funds to cover the charge. Once the gas is pumped into the tank, it’s pretty difficult to put it back in the pump.