NARBERTH, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Police in Lower Merion are warning drivers to be extra aware at the pump. Officials say they have seen a growing trend of scammers posing as gas station employees and stealing customers’ money.
The con is known as pump-switching. Scammers approach a driver and aggressively insist on pumping their gas for them — they don’t take no for an answer, police say.
When the tank is full, instead of returning the nozzle to the pump, the transaction is left open and the active credit card pays for the next driver. While filling up for the next driver, the scammer demands a cash payment and pockets the money.
Most victims don’t realize this has happened for days or even weeks later, once they see the transaction on their card statement, police noted.
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Gabe, who manages Accurate Automotive in Narberth, makes sure he approaches anyone who is loitering.
“Ask him what he’s doing around the pumps, because he’s not authorized to be around the pumps because he obviously doesn’t work here,” he explained.
He says police patrol the area and it’s a good deterrent.
“Narberth police are very, very helpful and they’re very efficient,” he said. “They are constantly monitoring the area. There’s a good presence.”
Authorities say pump-switching is happening all over the country too, so motorists are advised to always ask for a receipt, make sure a real gas station attendant is at the pump, and either hang up the nozzle or end the transaction on the keypad.