Mistrust of the pump! A well -oiled scam, that of the poorly hung pistol, trapped distracted motorists.
On vacation roads, scams are multiplying, and the scam of the unrectured pistol is wreaking havoc. Shols exploit the confidence of drivers in service stations to divert significant sums via card payments.
A well-established scam in service stations
Summer holidays rhyme also and especially with vigilance. Among the traps set to motorists, The unrectured pistol scam is distinguished by its simplicity and effectiveness. This stratagem, spotted in service stations across France, operates a moment of inattention to empty the bank accounts of imprudent drivers.
The scenario is almost always the same. An individual approaches a motorist at the pump. He explains that he does not have a bank card or that he is short of liquid, and proposes to pay in cash if the victim agrees to settle with his card. The motorist, thinking of doing a good action or simply in a hurry, accepts. Once the payment is made, he rests the pistol and leaves the station, without suspecting that he has just fallen into a trap.
Victor Marteau, manager of an Avia service station in Ardent, explains the mechanism to TF1: “The pistol is not completely hung, just posed so that it seems to be. This allows the crook to take it back immediately after the victim’s departure and continue to fill his reservoir, up to the limit of banking authorization, often set at 150 euros.” This authorization, validated during card payment, is a common practice in the service stations to ensure that the customer has the necessary funds. But here it becomes a boon for the crooks. The problem is that the victim only discovers the deception by consulting his bank statement, sometimes weeks later. At this point, it is often too late to contest the transaction with the bank.
How to protect yourself and what if you are a victim?
Vigilance is the best shield and a few simple gestures can make all the difference. If an unknown tackles you with a cash payment proposal, beware. Refuse politely and, in case of strong suspicion, report the individual to the station staff. If you still want to “help” this person who tackles you, Always check that the gun is properly hung up After your payment. Or better still, do not let this person put fuel in their car, do it in their place and hang the gun correctly to avoid the slightest scam. It is also useful to know the functioning of banking authorizations. When you pay by card at the pump, the station blocks a predefined sum, often between 100 and 150 euros, which is then adjusted to the actual amount of the fuel served. But if the pistol remains active, the crook can consume all of this sum. To limit risks, some banks offer real -time notifications for each transaction. Activating this option can alert you immediately in the event of an anomaly.
If you discover a suspect transaction on your account, act quickly. Contact your bank as soon as possible. Provide all possible details: date, time, service station, amount. A complaint with the gendarmerie or the police is also recommended.
This scam is only one example among others. Holiday roads are full of traps, such as the Terrodian scam, where a false convenience store charges exorbitant sums for a phony intervention, or that of the rear view mirror, where a crook claims that you have damaged his vehicle to extract money. Each year, the DGCCRF lists thousands of reports linked to these practices, which exploit the fatigue, distraction or ignorance of the drivers. In order not to spoil your vacation, stay attentive.
