There are two things you should know about scams to protect yourself against them in the future.
Firstly, there is no reasoning with a scammer. To a scammer, the money is the same if you work or scam for it, and scamming is easier.
Secondly, if a situation is too good to be true or obscenely triggers your red flag intuition, then you should trust your intuition.
Learning these lessons can help you to avoid the gas pump switching scam.
The gas pump switching scam is where you are tricked by scammers into letting them pump hundreds of dollars worth of gas after making you leave the pump. You don’t have to sympathize with scammers, but you should understand their mindset.
Scammers thrive in the aftermath of tragedy and natural disasters. They take advantage of naive and gullible people but they also take advantage of people who know better but who want to be nice or who see what they want in whatever the scammer is offering.
Scammers are opportunists, like sharks. The scamming criminal industry got a huge boost in the aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Even if you know you would never fall for something like this in a million years, you may know a relative, friend, or loved one who might.
Here is what you need to know about the gas pump switching scam to protect yourself and others you know.
The Gas Pump Switching Scam
It’s a scam where criminals look out for people they think are physically weak, very good-natured, or kind and they politely or aggressively attempt to pump the gas of the victim. As the victim leaves, the scammer fails to hang the nozzle back on the gas pump to end the transaction and steals gasoline for their own purposes. Scam artists are alert, they know how to physically size up their victims, are always looking for new victims, and particularly pay attention to people who never pay attention to their surroundings.
Pump-switching scam artists look for people who pump gas, approach them, and then politely or aggressively ask and attempt to pump your gas for you. Scam artists who don’t want to be hurt or beaten by their marks have to know how to visually pick their victims and hope they won’t resist.
Once the victim relents and leaves, the scam artist will not put the nozzle back into the pump to end the transaction. The scammer could fill their own tank, but usually, they will attract nearby drivers and offer to fill their tanks as long as they pay the scammer.
Even in an age with video cameras everywhere, this scam is occurring. One victim in Philadelphia received a $165 credit card charge for gasoline weeks after because the victim let a stranger hold the gas nozzle instead of putting it back themselves.
It is happening so much in Philadelphia right now that the police have to make a public service alert about the problem.
How to Avoid the Gas Pump Switching Scam
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
As you pump your gas in your car, look around. Be aware of your surroundings and don’t let anyone walk up to you without you noticing.
Be Confident
If someone does approach at the gas pump asking to pump your gas sternly decline their help. Don’t be meek or apologetic about it – you don’t know this stranger and you don’t owe them anything.
Hang the nozzle on the gas pump yourself to end the transaction. Unless you live in a state with full-service gas station attendants, don’t ever let a stranger take your gas nozzle away from you because they claim they want to help you.
Alert Gas Station Staff or Call 911
If a stranger tries to aggressively take the gas nozzle, don’t fight them. Call 911 and alert the gas station staff. Don’t just drive away and forget the incident.
Hang Up the Gas Nozzle Yourself and Get a Receipt
The gas pump should have an “End Transaction” button on the keypad. Even if a stranger takes a gas nozzle from you, you should just press the End Transaction button.
You can also go to the gas station attendant and get a printed receipt.
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Allen Francis was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years with no money, no financial literacy, and no responsibility when he had money. To him, the phrase “personal finance,” contains the power that anyone has to grow their own wealth. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including focusing on your needs instead of your wants, asking for help when you need it, saving and investing in your own small business.