Attempted fraud or honest mistake, what do you think?

Question

I’m writing this in part to ask for opinions, and also to alert others of a potential scam at the pumps. If this happens to you, be prepared and have a plan of action so not to pay twice.
I stopped at a Country Store today and began pumping gas using my credit card. After $8.41/2.47 gallons of gas went into my tank, the pump stopped abruptly and the screen stated “transaction stopped.”
A forty something frumpy cashier came out and demanded cash payment. She was mean and intimidating indicating the card transaction was cancelled and I have to pay cash.
She was cold and abrupt when I stated the pump stated $8.41 did infuse. The pump would not give me a receipt either because something stopped all actions.
She was adamant that no payment was received. I paid that amount in cash and left.
I stopped less than a block away and decided to call my credit card to make sure I was not charged twice. I was told that that “Country Store” did place $1 on hold and verified the amount that will be deducted from my account when it goes through.
I went back to the store and told the cashier it did go through, she became angry and said it did not and there is nothing she can do. I asked her to tell the credit card service person and she refused to talk to them. I asked for the manager and she said she was the manager. I asked for a receipt if not from the register, then hand written with her signature on it. She then called the owner and denied refusing to talk to my credit card service person. (There were many customers beginning to fill the store at this point). At this point she did print out a copy of the cash payment that did indicate the time of the transaction, but no cashier number.
Finally she did talk to the credit card service person who assured her the payment went through, she said it did not and refused to authorize my credit card to cancel the transaction stating it did not go through and there is nothing to cancel.
The credit card service person told me and her, via the phone, that the store stopped the pump not the credit card company. My credit card service person told me to wait two days and when/if it shows on my card file a fraud complaint, which I told her I am going to do if the payment is not removed. I was polite and apologized for any misunderstanding that may have occurred.
My card worked fine twenty minutes later when I stopped to buy some groceries.
My questions to you:
1) Do you think this was an honest mistake?
2) Is there a way for her to collect the money at the end of the day of anyone who doesn’t catch this mistake if she is stopping the pumps at the register and demanding cash?
3) If this happens ever again, I will not pay cash. Should I call the police?

PS: It is too late to call the police now. At the time she asked for second payment I should have refused and either called the police or let her do it. Either way, other people need to be aware to do the same so if she is stealing money, she will be caught quickly.

Answer 1

1. It is possible that it was an honest mistake.
2. Yes, there is a way for her to collect money at the end of the day.
3. If it happens again, call the police. Even though on the face of it this is a civil dispute, there are many instances of gas station clerks obtaining credit card information, and using it to embezzle money.

Answer 2

She is an idiot and a thief. Your credit card issuer will give you credit for merchandise not recd. (especially since all that dialog was memoed on the account). It is also paid by other means (cash). They can charge it back to her or just issue a memo credit since it was under $25. Authorizations stay on an account from 1-10 days, but may post in one day (cash) or two or more (purchases)

Just don't go there any more, she isn't worth the hassle.

She is getting paid twice, once for cash and once for stopping the pumps if you didn't get gas. We can't stop a transaction once the authorization is approved.

Note: Outside pump authorizations are always $1 and inside pumps authorize the full amount. That is why outside pumps are used to test stolen cards.

Answer 3

Its fraud.
Send a letter disputing the charge as well as a copy of the cash receipt and a copy of the conversation you had with the cashier and you credit card service person (date,time.names).
Give as much detail as possible and keep records for yourself.
The credit card co. is now obligated to to investigate the charge dispute.
You maybe able to fill a complaint with the state attorney general office of consumer complaints.
BY all means call the police and file a police report too. Get the store owners name and address to and send a letter of complaint to them.

Answer 4

Always call the police. A police report to a creditor is (almost) like a declaration of innocence (unless your in collections in which case everyone and there mother has one). The transaction cannot be halted via credit. If you debit it will pump the max amount in your account when accessed. Yes she very well could be collecting cash from individuals, however this isn't an effective scam at all and has a very short lifespan. My advice, stay away from that place and if you must go there use cash obtained from another atm. Good luck :)

Answer 5

Your credit card company is right - file a fraudulant charge complaint. Also, ask your company to refuse the transaction - they do have to honor your request even if they don't tell you so. Make sure you have your cash transaction receipt, and write a letter to the owner of the station it happened at. Often the worker bee isn't qualified to give the refund or deal with the payment issue, so you do need to go to the top. Good luck!

Answer 6

As a cashier at a service station/convenience store, that cashier's attitude and actions are highly unacceptable. She needs to be reported to the owners of the store that she works at, along with a complaint to the BBB. She should never have been released on an unsuspecting public. And yes..................definitely file a fraud complaint.

Get hold of the owner of that store, and ask how that cashiers till came out for that day. If your card went through ok, AND she collected your cash, then she should be over. But, if your card went through and her till came out ok........where is your cash?? Sounds to me like this woman is scamming people, and has no business handling ANYONE'S money.
Good luck to you.

Answer 7

Yes, I think it was fraud and I would certainly call the police department and find out where you can file a consumer complaint. Find out the owner of the gas station as well and report it to them. Any overages at the end the month will go in someone's pocket. I would demand that your credit card company takes it off as well. Stinkin People anyway.

Answer 8

Absolutely ...you should call the police and file a complaint and also you need to call the gas company that uses her services. File a complaint with the BBB also. Maybe you should just call your state's Attorney General's Office. Sounds like she has a nice scheme going where she pockets the money while the credit card pays for the gas.

Answer 9

You should've called the police immediately at the pump and informed the frumpy one of this. Return at the same time tomorrow and demand to speak with the manager/owner along with the Police and call your card company and see who flinches.
Have the card rep explain to the police officer before arriving that you/they suspect fraud or id theft and politely rip the store a new one.

Answer 10

1. It was a mistake until she realized she screwed up and then tried to cover her tracks (her fault)
2. The till would have been over by your credit card amount. The store just probably kept it, I worked retail and cashiers are off alot of the time.
3. Do not pay cash, call the police and let them sort it out.

Don't let an ignorant cashier try to snow you over next time.