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Even if high gas prices are draining your budget, don’t fall for this scam. Scammers are tempting drivers with phony gas station gift cards. It's really a way to get your credit card details and other personal information.
How the scam works
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.
In a recent BBB Scam Tracker report, a consumer said "Terrible company! Run do not attend this companies seminars. I received a card in the mail promising a free gas voucher and $50 in cash just for attending the seminar. IT WAS A SCAM. I left my job early to attend the dinner after 2 hours I never received the $50 cash or the gas voucher! I called the reservation # they said they never had that promotion. Thank God I saved the promotion flyer as proof. Has anyone else been scammed by this company?"
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 details. Some consumers say they were asked to fill out a form and provide their name, phone number, physical address, credit card information, and other details. Sharing these details with scammers can open you up to identity theft.
How to avoid prize scams
- Be skeptical of unsolicited offers. If you receive a message about winning a price that you didn't enter a contest for, it's likely a scam.
- Never pay to win. No legitimate company will ask you to pay money to receive something you won or to get a free gift. If someone asks you to pay even a small fee to receive a prize, you’re probably dealing with a scammer.
- Do your research. Impostor scams are common, so if a large company seems to be offering you a free gift, do some research first. Visit the company’s official website (by typing it into your web browser, not by following a link someone sent you) to see if they really are participating in some kind of giveaway.
- Don’t act on impulse. Scammers are hoping you’ll get so excited about their offer that you won’t stop thinking about any suspicious details. Use your good judgment and question any offer that seems too good to be true.
- Look for red flags. Scammers often use generic greetings like "Dear Winner," instead of your name. Poor grammar and spelling mistakes are also common in scam communications.
For more information
Check out this article for examples of the scam and an official statement from Shell. For more helpful tips, see the BBB Tip: Sweepstakes, Lottery, and Prize Scams and read this tip about text message phishing scams.
If you notice a scam circulating on Facebook or elsewhere, report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report can help others recognize the danger.