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See The 5 Most Common Scams When Fueling Your Car At Gas Stations And Learn How To Protect Yourself From Frauds That Can Cause Losses And Damage To The Vehicle.
Fueling your car should be a quick and simple act, but it is increasingly surrounded by risks. Drivers all over Brazil have reported frauds at gas stations ranging from fuel adulteration to schemes involving manipulated pumps and unjust charges.
The alert became even greater after investigations by the São Paulo Public Ministry and the Federal Revenue Service revealed that even criminal factions, such as the PCC, may be behind illegal practices at gas stations.
But after all, what are the most common scams and how can you avoid them?
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Compressed Air Fraud: Pump That Deceives On The Display At Gas Stations
Instead of filling the tank with the indicated volume, some stations use adulterated pumps to inject air along with the fuel.
The driver pays for liters that never reached the car.
To escape this, it is essential to check if the pump is reset before fueling and to monitor the entire process outside the vehicle.
Suspicions should be reported immediately to Procon or Inmetro.
Fake Stations: Known Brand Facade
In many cities, criminals set up stations that mimic famous chains, painting facades with colors and logos similar to those of major distributors.
The low prices attract attention, but the gasoline is usually of very poor quality.
Consumers who encounter this type of fraud can contact the Legal Fuel Institute (ICL), responsible for overseeing and receiving complaints.
Forced Oil Change: Unnecessary Expense
Not all scams take place at the pump.
Some attendants recommend changing oil or filters when the car does not need maintenance.
The driver, often lacking technical information, ends up accepting and paying a high price for an unnecessary service.
To avoid falling into this practice, it is important to follow the vehicle manual’s recommendations and perform maintenance only at trusted workshops or gas stations.
Interrupted Fueling: Tank Does Not Fill To The End
Another trick is to stop fueling before the tank is full.
The driver pays the total amount displayed, but the car receives less fuel than it should.
One way to protect yourself is to ask the attendant to fill until the pump shuts off automatically and then check the car’s dashboard to confirm the tank level.
Higher Charge On The Card Machine: The Price Adjustment Scam
One of the most recent scams is simple but effective.
The price charged on the card is higher than that recorded at the pump.
Since many drivers do not verify the amounts before authorizing the payment, the fraud goes unnoticed.
The recommendation is to never leave without checking if the pump value is the same as the card machine or the invoice.
Attention Is The Best Protection
Although the scams when fueling vary in method and sophistication, they all share the common goal of deceiving consumers and illegally profiting.
Staying alert, avoiding suspicious establishments, demanding an invoice, and being wary of prices that are significantly below average are actions that greatly reduce risks.
When fueling the car, the driver needs to be as vigilant as on the road.
After all, falling for one of these scams can result in financial loss and even serious damage to the vehicle.
With information from Olhar Digital
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