The Tribune

MOTORISTS are being warned to be vigilant when visiting the pumps after several people were allegedly scammed while getting petrol.

One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Tribune she was robbed of her fuel money when visiting the Texaco StarMart on Robinson Road.

She said: "I pulled up at the pump and gave a guy in a red shirt and a black jacket the money for my gas. He opened my tank and put the nozzle in and walked away. I assumed he went to pay for my gas. So I waited. I didn't suspect anything was wrong until I noticed someone else pulled up to the gas station and got served and I still hadn't got my gas.

"So I called another pump attendant and told him what happened. He called the manager and I repeated the story again. Turns out the guy didn't work there and had just basically walked away with my money.

"The manager was very nice and she explained to me that this sort of thing has happened before. She gave me the gas anyway and apologised."

The woman said despite getting her fuel, it was still an ordeal she shouldn't have to go through if gas stations would supply their pump attendants with proper uniforms or even identification cards.

When contacted, the day manager of StarMart, who did not give her name, said she knew nothing of the incident but did admit this kind of thing happened before.

She said: "It happens at all the gas stations, mainly in the night when people aren't paying close attention. Most of the stations are self serve so pump attendants wouldn't think it weird to see a strange man around the station. The only thing I can say is, motorists should be a little more attentive when pulling up to the pumps."

Oswald Moore, chairman of the Bahamas Petroleum Dealers Association, said he has not received any complaints from customers or gas station owners.