Common Petrol Pump Scams in India

Imagine you are filling your car at the gas pump. But because you don’t suspect anything, the scammers take advantage of it and cheat you of your money.

Many people in India face some kind of petrol pump scam. Knowing and staying aware of these scams can be of great help.

So, next time you go to fill up your car tank, pay attention to such scams. It will help you detect them and also save you money.

Therefore, here is everything about common petrol pump scams and how to avoid and detect them.

1. Short Delivery of Fuel

One of the common petrol pump scams in India is the short delivery of fuel. It means you will receive less fuel but pay the full price because the employee uses various techniques to cheat their customers.

The first technique they use is tampering with the fuel dispenser’s meter. It can happen when the meter resets improperly after the previous transaction.

For example, the customer before you get their tank full and their reading is shown on the meter. However, due to improper resetting, the current customer will become the victim of this scam. This is because the meter will start from the previous customer's reading, leading to short delivery of fuel.

That is why you should always ensure that the meter starts at zero. Another technique they use is modifying the hidden devices. These devices then control the amount of fuel that is going to be dispensed.

2. Adulteration of Fuel

Another petrol pump scam in India includes adulteration of fuel, meaning mixing lower-quality substances with fuel. This scam may benefit the petrol pump in terms of profitability. But surely it is not a benefit for you.

In fact, it will affect your vehicle's performance, fuel efficiency, and longevity. They commonly mix additives, including kerosene or naphtha, diesel, or water that adversely impact your vehicle’s engine.

These cheaper substances lead to reduced fuel efficiency and higher maintenance costs.

Stay aware of such scams by paying attention to various signs, such as unusually low prices.

3. Diversionary Method

Have you also been scammed because when your vehicle was fueling up, one of the pump attendants came to you and started the conversation and later charged a high price, or led to less fuel delivery?

This scam is called a diversionary method. The pump attendant distracts the customer and diverts their attention from the fueling process.

And while you were distracted, they manipulated the meter. They will fill less fuel in your car by resetting the petrol pump reading meter.

This is the most common petrol pump scam that people usually become the victims of.

4. Digital Meter Trampering

Digital meter tampering is another petrol pump fraud you should pay attention to. Attendants at the petrol pump manipulate and control the fuel dispenser's digital meter readings.

They can do it by using electronic chips. Then you end up paying for more fuel than what you actually receive.

It happens because they change the readings by controlling their software. This makes it difficult to detect digital meter tampering.

5. False Promotional Offers

Sometimes, you may have noticed the petrol pumps running special promotional offers and discounts. But don’t fall for such offers because they are not genuine.

They are just a way of making you the victim of one of their petrol pump scams. They use deceptive tactics to mislead their customers.

These promotions may offer discounts on fuel prices, loyalty rewards, car maintenance products, etc to trap you in this petrol pump scam.

But in reality, they are false offers with hidden terms and conditions. These terms are obviously not disclosed to customers.

They may claim that this type of fuel offers various benefits but instead, they will have additives in it.

They will encourage you to take up the offers and charge you more for fuel. So, verify the amount before you make any payment.

6. Card Skimming Scams

Card skimming is a digital petrol pump fraud. In this scam, your card or payment information gets captured while paying for the fuel.

The skimming devices are installed in the petrol pump to capture your card data.

This scam does happen in India and you will also don’t know when this scam is taking place. This will lead to unauthorized transactions and you can face financial loss.

7. Start and Stop Method

A start-stop method is another common petrol pump scam in India.

Suppose you ask them to fill the fuel worth 500 rupees and the attendant deliberately keeps starting and stopping the pump during the fueling process.

Then stay vigilant because this leads to a small amount of fuel being held back into the fuel hose because of the airlock.

So, pay attention to the fueling process and stay aware so that such scams do not happen to you.

How to Detect Petrol Pump Scams?

You can detect petrol pump scams by following these tips to ensure you don’t become a victim of such fraud.

1. First, before the attendant starts fueling your vehicle, check if the petrol pump reading meter reads zero or if any amount is shown on it. If you can see the amount, ask the attendant to reset the meter.
2. Don’t let any distractions divert your attention from the meter. Carefully watch the meter to avoid digital meter tampering. Ensure the number is increasing steadily and the accurate amount of fuel is reflected.
3. You can avoid adulteration by verifying the fuel quality and checking the coloration or particles.
4. You can also tell them to conduct a density test if they have density meters. This will let you know if the fuel is meeting the required standards.
5. You should securely make the payments such as using mobile wallets. You should hide your card information and PIN by securing your surroundings as devices can be attached to the pump. Be cautious of suspicious devices.

Tips to Avoid Petrol Pump Scams

Here are some helpful tips to avoid the petrol pump fraud.

1. You should ensure that your vehicle tank is being filled by trusted brands with a good reputation to protect yourself from petrol pump scams.
2. Remote or unfamiliar petrol pumps should be completely avoided because they pose a greater risk of scams. They even fill your car with mixed fuel.
3. You can use technology to avoid scams, such as mobile apps to track fuel transactions and digital payment methods.
4. The best way is to stay updated regarding the latest scams by following the news. This will keep you informed and help you to prevent such scams. You can even share this news with your friends and families so that they don’t become a victims of petrol pump scams.

Conclusion

Petrol pump scams can happen to anyone but with some awareness and attentiveness, we can avoid these scams.

From diversionary methods to false promotional offers, such scams highlight the importance of adopting precautionary measures.

Follow the tips mentioned above to avoid these scams and keep your eyes on the meter throughout the fueling process. This will save you from the scam while saving you money and preventing financial loss.

Ensure to make secure payments by using digital payment apps or mobile wallets. By staying informed, you will reduce the chance of getting scammed by petrol pump scammers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 What should I do if I suspect a petrol pump scam?

Ans If you suspect a petrol pump scam, you can report it to your local police and consumer helpline. For evidence, you can show your receipts and document the incident.

Q2 Are there specific signs of digital meter tampering?

Ans Yes, there are specific signs of digital meter tampering such as sudden jumps in the meter reading. Before dispensing fuel, make sure the reading meter starts at zero.

Q3 What are some signs of false promotional offers at petrol pumps?

Ans Some signs of false promotional offers at petrol pumps include offers that seem too good to be true and no clarity of terms and conditions.

Q4 Can mobile apps help in detecting and avoiding petrol pump scams?

Ans Yes, mobile apps can help in detecting and avoiding petrol pump scams as they allow you to fuel transactions and warn you of any inconsistency.