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Gas Station in João Pessoa Was Closed After Inspection Identified Discrepancies Between Displayed Prices and Prices Charged at Pumps, Amid Ongoing Municipal Chamber Investigation into the Fuel Sector in the Capital of Paraíba.
Procon-JP closed the Select Gas Station in Tambaú, João Pessoa, last Thursday (11), after finding a R$ 0.10 difference between the advertised price and the charge at the pump.
The signs displayed R$ 5.89, but the consumer paid R$ 5.99 during refueling.
According to the Diário do Comércio website, the agency classified the case as false advertising and ordered a suspension of activities until compliance is achieved.
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Inspection Finds Price Discrepancy on Avenida Nego
The inspection team identified the irregularity at the gas station located on Avenida Nego, a busy area in Tambaú.
According to Procon-JP, the prices displayed to the public must match the prices charged at the pumps.
When discrepancies occur, the behavior constitutes a violation of consumer protection laws and may result in closure, fines, and administrative sanctions.
On the same day, inspectors notified the person in charge of the gas station, who began making adjustments to the equipment and price signs.
However, the closure remains in effect until the prices are corrected and verified by the agency.
Preventive Measure and Possible Sanctions
According to Procon-JP, the suspension of activities aims to prevent continued overcharging compared to the reported price.
The agency issued a fine to the establishment and stated that the administrative process will continue its course.
Penalties may include a fine, depending on the company’s history and the severity of the violation.
Inspectors are monitoring the adjustments to confirm that the charged prices match the advertised ones.
Operations will only be authorized after this validation.
Direct Financial Impact on Consumers
The difference of R$ 0.10 per liter, while seemingly small, causes loss to the consumer and contradicts the principle of clear and accurate information outlined in the Consumer Protection Code.
The legislation requires that the price displayed on signs must be exactly the same as the price charged at the time of refueling.
When discrepancies occur, the customer has the right to pay the lower announced price.
Procon-JP advises that in such cases, consumers should collect evidence and file a complaint so that inspections can take place.
CPI of Fuels and Broader Investigation
The case occurred during the installation of the CPI of Fuels at the Municipal Chamber of João Pessoa, established on September 9, 2025.
The committee was formed to investigate alleged price fixing and practices that may constitute anti-competitive behavior in the sector.
The chair of the committee is councilor Raoni Mendes, with Tarcísio Jardim as the rapporteur.
Parliamentarians intend to hear representatives from gas stations, distributors, and regulatory agencies, as well as analyze documents that explain price formation in the capital.
Ongoing Inspections at Gas Stations
Procon-JP reported that it conducts periodic inspections at various fuel establishments in the city.
In these actions, inspectors verify the correspondence between advertised prices and those charged, the metrological compliance of the pumps, and the condition of security seals.
Irregularities may result in closure, fines, and referral of charges to the competent administrative and judicial instances.
In the case of Select Gas Station, technicians will return to the location to check if the adjustments have been completed.
Relevance of Price Standardization
Verifying alignment between signs and pumps is considered essential to ensure that consumers have access to reliable information and can compare prices fairly.
When this does not occur, the practice can lead to errors and affect transparency in commercial transactions.
Amid the CPI, cases of false advertising like the one recorded in Tambaú may support parliamentary efforts by highlighting communication or oversight failures that need correction.
Consumer Rights in Similar Situations
If there is a discrepancy between the announced price and the charged price, the consumer can demand to pay the lower price.
Procon-JP recommends recording evidence, requesting immediate correction, and filing a complaint.
The agency maintains service channels to receive reports and guide consumers on how to proceed in similar cases.
Possible Developments
The definition of penalties for Select Gas Station will depend on the conclusion of the administrative process.
The CPI of Fuels may propose measures to enhance oversight, standardize price communication, and improve transparency in the sector.
What other actions do you consider important to prevent price discrepancies from continuing to occur at gas stations in the capital?
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