How to Avoid Gas Station Pump Switch Scams

Last month, Police Department in Lower Marion, Pennsylvania— located just north of Philadelphia — warns residents about a new scam. But unlike those that happen online, this scam happens in real time and in person: more specifically, at the gas station. Here’s what to know about so-called “pump switching,” and how to avoid it.

What is a “pump switch”?

In the early days of car travel, as well as in Current New JerseyGas station employees, known as “attendants,” pump gas to customers. While some gas stations still offer full filling services, doing the pumping yourself is now the norm.

For this reason, if someone approaches you at a gas station and offers to do it for you, it can be annoying – especially since, according to… Lower Marion Police DepartmentSuspects of pump switching “are often very aggressive and completely rebuff the victim’s attempts to refuse help.”

Police reports indicate that the scam usually takes place at a… In two ways:

1. The customer uses their credit card to pay at the pump. The scammer offers – or aggressively insists – to pump gas for them, or return the nozzle to the pump if they’re finished. Instead of giving the nozzle back, they use it to fill their car with gas at the other person’s expense.

2. It starts out the same way as the first scenario, except that the scammer doesn’t replace the nozzle after filling his own car. Instead, they keep it active, offering to pump gas to other customers, and asking them to pay for their fuel in cash. The scammer pockets the money and the original customer pays for it in full.

How to Avoid Pump Switch Scams

It’s not clear how common pump replacement scams are outside of Pennsylvania, but it doesn’t hurt to be on your radar. Fortunately, avoiding a scam is very simple.

First, unless you intentionally go to a full-service station, or get gas in New Jersey, don’t allow random strangers to pump your gas. Always return the nozzle to the pump yourself to complete the transaction, and wait for the screen to ask if you would like a receipt.

the Police recommend You actually get a receipt as confirmation that the transaction has finished, but if you know you won’t, at least wait for the screen to return to its welcome message with instructions for new customers.

If you or someone you know is exposed to this type of fraud at the pump, here’s what to do, according to diet. Sgt. Michael Keenan From the Lower Marion Police Department: “Drive to a safe distance. Call 911 if you are near or near a gas station. Wait until someone gets there, and point out who took your gas handle or who you think is scamming you.”