Timberville Warns of Gas Pump Tampering, Virginia Gas Station Tampering Alerts

Timberville Police Department warned drivers about virginia gas station tampering alerts after the town released a social media statement about a gas pump screw scam in Rockingham County, Virginia. Drivers were told to watch for unusual activity at the pump and to stop fueling if something looks wrong.

The alert centers on a screw hidden inside the nozzle cradle that police said can keep a pump running after a transaction. Julie Wheeler, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving western Virginia, said, "What has been seen are people trying to make sure that the transaction doesn’t finish, so that they can come in behind and continue that transaction and charge it to you,"

Timberville Police Department Warning

The town of Timberville said the warning came from the Timberville Police Department on social media. Police said drivers who notice anything unusual around a gas pump should stop fueling and notify the station attendant immediately. If they suspect tampering, they should call law enforcement.

Anthony Ramsey, program manager for the Virginia Department of Agriculture’s Office of Weights and Measures, said drivers should make sure the transaction is finished before they drive away. He said they should get a receipt that signals the transaction is over or check whether the screen at the pump has reset.

Julie Wheeler's Safety Steps

Wheeler said drivers should check the pump before and after fueling and monitor financial activity after making a transaction. She said, "[Check] whether the pump has been tampered with or that kind of thing" and added, "They have gotten so much more sophisticated over the years."

She also said drivers should not go to the furthest pump. "Don’t go to the furthest pump, because those are ones that are most likely to have been messed with — not close to where the attendant can see what’s going on," she said. "Get your gas somewhere closer to where the attendant is."

Wheeler said cards that can be locked when not in use can help prevent unauthorized charges. She said, "If your card has the ability to be locked when you’re not using it, that’s a great way to keep unauthorized charges from taking place," and added, "Check your credit card statements regularly. Get online access and look every day for charges, or shut it down.... That’s going to help you tremendously from having issues."

Credit Cards and Debit Cards

Wheeler said the screw scam goes beyond a more common skimmer at a gas pump. She said digital payment information can become compromised, and she advised credit cards over debit cards. "Debit cards, you typically, if you have a fraudulent charge on there, can get your money back, but that money comes out immediately, and then you have to get it back," she said. "A credit card, if you have a fraudulent charge, you haven’t paid it yet typically, and you can dispute the charge and not have to pay it."

The warning gives drivers a specific check at the pump and a specific step after they leave: make sure the transaction ends, then review accounts for any charge they do not recognize. In this case, the risk is not the pump line itself but a transaction that keeps running after the driver thinks it is done.