Here's how the scam works:
We normally ask them to fill up petrol worth some round number, say Rs 1000 and hand them our credit card or cash.
The attendant punches in 1000 on the numeric keypad on the meter. We are careful enough to check that the meter is reset to ZERO before they begin pumping. We are watching the numbers spin and the amount gets to something like 800+. At this moment - another pump attendant hands us our bill or asks us to sign the credit card slip. We sign the slip or collect our bill and we turn around to find that the pump attendant is done and the meter has stopped spinning and is flashing Rs 1000. We collect our bill and we leave. At this point we have likely been cheated out of Rs 150-200. This happened to me today. I got suspicious that the last 200 bucks worth seemed to have
gotten done rather fast.
I pointed out to the attendant that the amount was FLASHING when the pump stopped. Immediately, I told him to fill up another Rs 200. This time I watched the meter all the way. It stopped at Rs 200 - but the number was NOT FLASHING. Also the lower display was still displaying the rate - Rs 44.29 Delhi Rate).In the earlier case - the lower display was BLANK. I pointed out to the attendant that the display was not flashing.
Also - I asked him to top up the tank and paid the second bill also with my credit card and asked for a bill. The total fuel dispensed into my car was 43 litres. My fuel tank capacity is 42. I immediately asked for their complaint book and showed them my bills.
Immediately about 4 attendants gathered around me and tried to make some excuses. One of them took my fuel bills and disappeared. I pointed out that one of them had quietly taken my bills away, but I still held the credit card slips in my hand. I said, you can take these too I can get a print out from the bank / internet. I told them they could either give me the complaint book then and there or I could go directly to the HPCL manager (HPCL is a client).
I quietly told them the name of the Manager for West Zone Sales at Hindustan Petroleum and showed them his phone number saved on my mobile.
PROMPTLY - one of the attendants apologized, said there could be a mistake and handed me Rs 500. The ease with which he paid me suggests that their income from this is much higher.
So here's what you can do to avoid getting scammed:-
Don't buy fuel in round numbers - ask for a full tank especially when paying by card.
If you are in a hurry and must buy in round numbers - watch the meter ALL THE WAY.
Do not hand them your credit card before the transaction is complete.
Ensure that when the meter stops - the amount display is NOT FLASHING
Better still - you can trap them, if you wait to fill up until your tank is almost empty, then buy Rs 1200 worth of fuel. pay for it - and then ask them to top it up on a second transaction if the meter has been flashing when pumping stops. If the total fuel exceeds your tank capacity, point it out to them and insist on the complaint book. You can tell them you are sure you had at least 10 litres in your tank. My guess is they will quietly hand you Rs 500 and try to hush it up.
I have checked this on electronics pumps made by GILBARCO and DRESSER and WAYNE. On the old analog pumps, if the pumping stops midway - the display does not move to the higher round number.
The author is a friend of mine, who I know for over 25 years. Sharing this with you all, since Inflation is hitting us all very hard and then if we are short changed like this.....its criminal and very very shameful too.
