It was a regular evening for Rohan. He was driving home after a long day when he stopped at a petrol pump to refuel. He handed over his credit card to the attendant, who swiped it and frowned.
“Transaction failed, sir. Try again?”
Rohan didn’t think much of it. Machines can act up sometimes. He nodded and tried again. Failed.
By the third attempt, the payment finally went through. The receipt was printed, the fuel was filled, and Rohan drove off, unaware that his card details had just been stolen.
Two days later, a notification popped up on his phone. ₹1,10,000 had been debited from his account. The transaction had taken place on a foreign website he had never even heard of.
His heart sank. The scam had already happened, and now he was left struggling to figure out what went wrong.
The Scam That’s Draining Bank Accounts
Petrol pumps have become a breeding ground for a new type of credit card fraud.
Scammers are using skimming devices, tiny attachments placed on card machines, to steal card information. When you swipe or insert your card, the device copies all your details.
Some places even have hidden cameras to record your PIN.
With these stolen details, fraudsters can clone your card and make unauthorized transactions, often on international platforms where security checks are weaker. By the time you notice, the money is already gone.
Why Petrol Pumps?
Petrol stations are perfect targets for these scams. Hundreds of customers use their cards there every day, and most are in a hurry.
They rarely stop to check if the card reader looks suspicious. On top of that, attendants handling the machines make it easier for fraudsters to tamper with them.
How to Protect Yourself
Rohan’s mistake wasn’t unusual. It happens to thousands of people, but a few precautions can save you from becoming the next victim.
Always check the card machine before swiping. If the machine looks loose, has extra attachments, or seems damaged, avoid using it.
Contactless payments like tap-to-pay cards or UPI apps are much safer. If a transaction fails multiple times, don’t keep trying on the same machine; switch to cash or another payment method instead.
Keeping an eye on your bank statements can also help. Many people don’t check their transactions regularly, giving scammers a head start.
If you ever spot an unauthorized transaction, report it to your bank immediately. The quicker you act, the higher your chances of getting a refund.
A simple fuel stop should never turn into a financial nightmare. Yet, scams like these are becoming more common across India.
The best way to stay safe is to be alert and cautious every time you use your card.
