Pay at the Pump hassles...

[shoozleboy]

I have been jacked three times now by a local 'convenience' store just down the road from my house when using their 'pay at the pump' system.... Last fall, I had 3 instances where I used my debit/visa card (debit cards draw from checking) to pay at the pump for fuel and then when I balanced my checking account, there were double withdraws made for that amount from that location. For example: I'd buy $40 of gas on say the 15th of October and that would clear through my checking account fine within a day, then a few days later, there is another draw for $40 as well.... I've totaled up to almost $100 of this already...

I complained to the store manager as well as filed disputes each time with my credit union concerning the transactions. They instantly give you the credit back to your account while it's investigated.

I just got a call today from the credit union that the first dispute I filed has been denied as the store has 'produced' evidence to the contrary of my statement. They faxed me over some lame computer generated report that has a 'reproduction' of the receipt from the disputed transaction. I say lame because it's not even a real reprint of the receipt - it's a graphical design version of it on a printed piece of 8x11 paper.... not even a photocopy, just some printout that any 12 year old with a home computer and a printer could reproduce.

I was pissed, not at the credit union, they can only do so much - but at the store for this crap - three months after the fact. I have a pretty good idea that I know which teenager behind the counter it is that's jacking my debit info from the pay at the pump and then grabbing the cash for his pocket... I worked in retail years ago and know that you can resend charges and debits back through the system - it was usually done by a manager where I worked at the time, he could trace back drawer shortages to the transaction and then retrieve payment by sending the transaction through again. I have a strong feeling that I know who it was.

I'm thinking of asking the manager for video proof that I was at his pumps on the 3 disputed days that he says I was there purchasing the SAME amount of gas at the SAME price (knowing damn well that gas prices change everyday - sometimes more than once a day - what are the chances that I would be buying the same amount twice within a few days let alone that I would actually burn through that much gas in only a few days time??)

The real kicker on this is that on one of the days, I know they can't produce the video of me because me and my debit card were not even in the country at the time of the 2nd transaction....!!!! I can't wait until they call me up with that denial.. should be any day now.

If they come back and deny my 2nd transaction's dispute like they did with this first one today - I'm calling their shit out!! SHOW ME THE VIDEO!!

Now that I look at the 'receipts' a little closer - they don't specify what amount of gas or that I even bought gas with these transactions...


end of my rant - thank you for listening....

[Dr. DOS]

Dude... nice tome... good effort... log a BBB complaint as well (I think you can do this online)

Do let us know how this resolves.....

[BJ_M]

i would call police = fraud going on here .. fraud and theft

[Doramius]

Call the BBB and they'll do a full investigation. Technically speaking a Pump Receipt is required to show how much gas you pumped, the cost per gallon and the total. That's a requirement for the Federal "weights & measures" division that has to certify the pumps. Next thing is, they can't have a second charge of gas unless that much gas was drawn a second time, because the receipt sales won't match up with the pump sales. That means if you pumped $20 of gas and $40 was taken out, they can easily be called on it unless the guy immediately pumped the exact same amount into his own car. As for video footage, I'm not sure if they will have what you're looking for, some stores don't keep too long of coverage. Many have a week's worth of tapes and just use them over and over. if there are inventory or till discreptancies, then they review the tapes. The inventory and till counts are frequent, so there may not be a need to keep extensive archives of security footage. Some stores may archive them. You never know. Now if they reprocessed the information even 1 sec. after you finished your transaction, it will show that it was an identical process, or basically a double dip into your account, in which someone put gas into another car under your transaction. This will show an identical time from which the card information was first entered, but 2 very different times in which gas was pumped. They can then fine the clerk on duty as that person would physically have to make an adjustment somewhere to allow that to happen. Most convenience stores have Employee ID registers in which you know who handled which transactions at which register at any given time. The BBB will go this detailed into the transaction if necessary. As for the print-out, it may mean BULL if there's certain information missing. Again, the BBB can identify this information and can easily call them on it. You can file with them online. I've done it quite a few times in the past. I would say that's your best bet for getting something done.

[shoozleboy]

Thanks. I may end up doing that eventually. For now, I called back the credit union and told them about the lack of description on the 'receipts' that the store faxed over to them. The lady at the credit union was pretty interested in my story and said that she will have the ATM department open an investigation on my disputes along with that, she agreed that the FULL ITEMIZED DESCRIPTION needs to be on the receipts from the store - not the 'pretty' looking ones that they faxed over.

I'm livid about this whole thing... If this doesn't get resolved soon, I'm turning over all the info to a state police investigator that I know through dealings here at work... he's got a ton of fraud investigation experience, from what he has told me in the past, and I'm sure he would be able to dig up more info with just his contacts alone.... I didn't want to go the route of a police involvement, but if I'm getting robbed here, then someone's gonna pay!

I wonder how many other people this has been pulled off with... I'm sure that if it's what I think it is, then I'm not alone with my dealings with this store....

[yoda313]

Hello,

Stiltman - also try hooking up with your LOCAL NEWS stations.....

The investigation section always love good "RIPPED OFF" stories

Kevin

[Doramius]

At the moment YOU'RE paying for it. I'd suggest doing regular business there and keep close tabs on EVERYTHING. Check for the "weights & Measures" certified stickers, Pay attention to the clerk that's on duty (even if you pay at the pump, go inside and pay for a soda or water with cash just to see the face of the attendants working). Keep your receipts and scan them into your computer. The ink on many receipts fades away or bleed into the paper after time, or the paper just turns black from heat or sun exposure. A photo scan of the receipt will show it's authentic. THe receipt must show Price Per gallon, gallons pumped, & total cost. Gas already has taxes included, so there should not be any additional charges, unless there is a visible sign stating so (IE: $.35 charge for debit & credit transactions).

[MOVIEGEEK]

This is why I tore up my ATM/VISA card,I only use a credit card for transactions.That way you are liable(at most) for $50,some card companies cover the loss.
I would stop doing business with them and take them to court.

Good luck.

[thecoalman]

Reminds me of when me and few buddies of mine got lost in NYC in a less than desirable neighborhood after a concert and payed $20 cash for $1.80's worth of gas. The dude turned the pump off when some guy noticed our plate and came up and told him. Not much we could do....

[Doramius]

Reminds me of when me and few buddies of mine got lost in NYC in a less than desirable neighborhood after a concert and payed $20 cash for $1.80's worth of gas. The dude turned the pump off when some guy noticed our plate and came up and told him. Not much we could do....

You can stay there and call the police. When they do something like that, it will still be on video camera and you can catch them easily. That scam has been done quite a few time at the "Pay Inside First" stores. What you do is make sure they put the cash in the register. If they do the till will show $20 credit. If they don't put the cash in the drawer, you ask for an up front reciept. If they refuse, you ask for your $20 back because they didn't put it in the register. All of that will be on film.

[thecoalman]

You can stay there and call the police.

Did you miss the part where I posted

lost in NYC in a less than desirable neighborhood

Maybe I should have said 4 white guys lost in a New York Ghetto. That's OK they can have the money....

[northcat_8]

I think everyone has given you some real good ideas, however, when all diplomatic means have been exhausted...may I suggest...

[Doramius]

Principle Skinner: I have a bomb!
[link falls from chest]
Cheif Wiggum: That's not a bomb. Those are Armour HotDogs.
Superintendent Chalmers: What kind of man wears Armour HotDogs!?