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May 8, 2008 9:13 pm US/Eastern
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CBS 2 HD Uncovers Deception At The Pump
Station Owners Caught Selling Low Octane Fuel For Premium Prices
Undercover Crews Sent To Inspect Every Station In Nassau County
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Drivers are now paying 20 percent more for gas than they did a year ago. As if that wasn't bad enough, some gas stations are pinching consumers even more at the pump. CBS 2 joined a team of investigators to uncover alleged gas station scams.
Premium gas, rated as 93 octane, sells for more than $4 a gallon at the U.S. Gas Station on Old Country Road in Westbury. But customers had no idea the owner was caught pumping 90 octane into their tanks in March, while still charging the premium price.
"Greed is the obvious motivation," said one Westbury customer.
The station paid a $500 fine, but remained in business. Now investigators say it is becoming all too common in the tri-state area.
With gas prices rising so quickly, you'd expect to at least get what you pay for. But plenty of gas sellers are getting caught trying to take more than their fare share from customers.
"We're getting complaints everyday," said a Nassau County spokesperson.
It's why in Nassau County, undercover crews inspect every station to make sure you get exactly a gallon, and at the right octane.
"We send crews undercover and when we catch an owner doing somethign illegal there are times we actually close down the gas station," said Nassau County Commissioner of Consumer Affairs Roger Bogsted.
"So I paid $40 and didn't get any gas," said Ruth Miller.
Miller says 'gas greed' motivated a full-service attendant at the USA Gas Station in Bethpage, which has since closed after the allegations were confirmed. According to Miller, the attendant told her she had purchased $40 worth of gas. Yet as she drove away, she wasn't so convinced.
"I realized I didn't have a drop more gas in my tank than when I drove into the station," said Miller.
Despite the eye-opening investigations, CBS 2 found a Flatbush Exxon station guzzling more money from credit card customers. Premium octane will cost you $4.09 a gallon in cash. But break out the plastic and get hosed for an extra 60 cents more per gallon. Outrageous? Sure. But it's perfectly legal because they put up signs notifying the customer.
Another trick of the trade: an attendant sometimes leaves $5 or so on the pump so the next customer ends up paying more. CBS 2's advice: When you pull up, you need to keep a watchful eye on the gauge.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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