Cook County drivers are being told to keep a closer eye on the pump, after suburban Northlake police warned that scammers may be using a tiny piece of hardware to pull off a big gas grift.
According to police, suspects may be wedging small screws into gas-pump nozzle cradles so the system never registers the transaction as finished. That could let thieves keep fueling other vehicles on the original customer's card after that driver pulls away.
What police say
Northlake police told FOX 32 Chicago they believe scammers are placing the screws inside the nozzle cradle so the lever does not fully close. If the pump still reads as active when a customer leaves, someone else can pull up to that pump and quietly add fuel to another vehicle on the same payment method.
The department has not said how many incidents have been reported or which specific gas stations have been affected.
How it fits a wider trend
The warning lands in the middle of a broader rise in so-called "pump switching" scams, where someone either offers to "help" at the pump or fails to return the nozzle correctly so a transaction stays open.
National coverage notes that pump switching itself is a real problem, but this particular screw-in-the-cradle tactic has also been bouncing around social media and, in some cases, fact-checkers have labeled it a viral hoax, according to Axios.
How to protect yourself
Experts and local police say a few low-tech habits can cut your risk: take a quick look at the nozzle holder before you start pumping, and do not drive off until the display clearly returns to zero or prompts you for a receipt.
They also suggest turning down unsolicited "help" at the pump. Consumer outlets that have followed these warnings advise paying inside when you feel uneasy and watching your bank or credit card accounts for any strange charges, as noted by ConsumerAffairs.
If you suspect you were targeted, police advise contacting your bank or card issuer right away and reaching out to the Northlake Police Department. Gas station staff should be alerted immediately so they can take the pump out of service, according to FOX 32 Chicago.
They also recommend keeping any receipts and, if possible, checking whether the station has surveillance footage. Those details can help banks and investigators track down unauthorized fill-ups.
Retailers and industry groups have been urged to watch pumps and customer behavior more closely as fuel prices climb and old scams resurface. A trade spokesman told Axios that pump switching tends to spike when prices jump.
For drivers, the bottom line is simple: look before you pump, keep an eye on the display, and do not skip the receipt. A few extra seconds could keep someone else from riding off on your tab.
