How to avoid gas and grocery voucher scams and what you should do

Who wouldn’t want free gas or groceries, especially with fuel prices on the rise? Scammers know families are looking for ways to save money, and unfortunately, they’re taking advantage of that.

BBB has received BBB Scam Tracker reports from people who received postcards in the mail claiming they qualified for hundreds of dollars’ worth of free gas or grocery vouchers. These voucher offers are likely a way for scammers to trick recipients into handing over their payment information.

In addition to groceries or gas, the postcards may offer rebates or shopping rewards. In reports to BBB, recipients were usually instructed to call or visit a website to claim their reward by paying a processing fee. One of several things then happened:

• Additional unauthorized charges appeared on the consumer’s account

• The consumer was unknowingly enrolled in a monthly subscription program

• The promised gift cards never arrived or low-value coupons or promotional materials were received instead

• The company became difficult—or impossible—to contact for refunds

In one report, a consumer told BBB she received a card from a company called “AAPP” stating that $309.64 in gas and grocery vouchers was being held in her name, and that failure to claim them immediately would result in forfeiture. Luckily, she did not contact the company and did not lose any money.

If someone contacts you out of the blue to offer you something for free, they might have ulterior motives – especially if they are trying to pressure you to act immediately. Remember: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!

How can I avoid gas and grocery voucher scams?

• Remember that legitimate prizes don’t require you to pay first. If someone contacts you out of the blue and asks for a processing fee, activation fee, shipping charge, or any other upfront payment before you receive your reward, consider it a major warning sign.

• Research the company independently. Don’t rely solely on the information printed on a postcard. Research the company’s name along with words like “BBB,” “reviews,” or “scam.” Visit BBB.org to check the company’s Business Profile, customer reviews, and complaint history.

• Never provide payment information under pressure. If you’re told you must act immediately, slow down. Legitimate companies won’t pressure you into making an immediate payment.

• Watch your bank and credit card statements carefully. If you’ve already provided payment information, review your accounts for unauthorized charges and report suspicious transactions to your financial institution immediately.

• Be cautious with personal information. Even if the fee is small, scammers may also be trying to collect your address, date of birth, banking information, or other personal details that could be used for future fraud.

What should I do if I run into this scam?

• Report it. If you receive a questionable postcard or offer, report it to BBB Scam Tracker. Your report can help warn others in your community and provide valuable information about emerging scam trends. You can also report the incident to your state’s consumer protection office and the Federal Trade Commission.

• Contact your bank. If you’ve already lost money, contact your bank or credit card company as soon as possible to dispute unauthorized charges.