Even if high gas prices are draining your budget, don’t fall for this scam. Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker has received reports that scammers are tempting drivers with phony gas station gift cards in an attempt to steal credit card details and other personal information.
“As inflation and interest rates continue to rise, many of us are on high alert for ways to save money.” Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Central East Texas said. “It’s important to be knowledgeable about scammer tactics and not to act impulsively, particularly when a deal sounds too good to be true.”
You see a post on social media, get an email, or take a survey that says you won a $500 gas station gift card. Currently, the scam claims to be from Shell, but watch out for scammers using different gas station brands too.
To get the gift card, you only need to pay a small fee. But when scammers get your credit or debit card information, they will likely charge your account for amounts you never approved. One consumer told BBB Scam Tracker: “They said I won a Shell gas card and had to pay $1.95 for shipping. A day later, they took $89.95 out of my account. I called about the charge, and they fixed it, but the next day, another $89.95 was taken out again.”
In addition to your credit card information, the scam may also request other personal…
