This happened years ago - I was pulling up to the pump at a pay-at-the-pump gas station when I noticed two women waving me over to another pump. I stayed where I was and got out of the car and started buying gas. They tried again to call me over to their pump, saying something to the effect of it had a five dollar overpayment on it I could have. I said no thanks. They said something like someone tricked me, then they tricked her, now there is five dollars left on the pump. I told them to talk to the gas station attendant. They said he didn’t understand. I just ignored them at that point, finished my business, and went on my way.
This felt scammy. Was it?
WAG, but maybe they installed a credit card skimmer on that pump.
First thought, they put a card reader on the one on the pump.
Yep, the first thing they would have wanted you to do was to insert your credit card to claim the five-dollar overpayment. Wise choice to ignore them.
My thought is that they had someone else’s card.
They get you to give them money, and give you gas that someone else pays for.
You are not getting scammed, but someone else is.
I was thinking who is going to be swayed by a free five bucks in gas; given how expensive it is now, that’s only a gallon or two. But you said this was years ago, so perhaps it was closer to a dollar or so a gallon.
All the scenarios make sense. Interesting. They were quite brazen, as this was in the middle of the day at a large, busy gas station. I want to say Kroger or Wal-Mart. Sometimes hiding in plain sight is the best cover.
Also pay attention to who is on the other side of the pump. They’ll try to switch hoses, filling their vehicle with the one you’re paying on if you aren’t watching.
