Did I get scammed?

lesha · 12-19-2010, 02:43 PM

So I'm filling up my car at one of the rest areas off the highway. A couple in a red 335 coupe pulls up to the pump next to mine, the guy gets out of the car and starts asking me for gas money. He gives me a story that his credit card doesn't work and they can't get home. I usually don't fall for stuff like that and tell people to piss off. But what threw me off this time is that they had a really nice car and I would never suspect that someone with a car like would scam people for 20 dollars. So I ask the guy to show me that his cc doesn't work and he does. So I give them 20 bucks worth of gas. I don't care about 20 buck if I truly helped someone out in need, but it would obviously piss me off if it was a scam.

At first it seems highly unlikely that they only have one cc and no debit card or any other cards or no cash. On the other hand I don't suspect that someone who could afford that car would scam people for 20 bucks. I guess I'll never know the truth, all kinds of people out there, but after I did it, i didn't get a good feeling about it. What do you guys think? Did i get scammed or helped someone in need?

fdriller9 · 12-19-2010, 02:44 PM

Sounds like you got scammed......it's possible that couple stole that car and didn't want to leave a trail by using a credit card.

Like you said, you'll never know.

FWIW, I'm in college and don't have credit yet. I only have my debit card.

I remember one time I filled up half my tank in Philly because gas prices are higher than in Jersey. I went to another Sunoco on the way home and my debit card was declined because you cannot use the same card at Sunoco within 24 hours.

The attended had to go inside and charge $20 to my debit card as a purchase in the store. Then he filled up my tank $20 worth.

Delta0311 · 12-19-2010, 02:45 PM

Holy shit!!! You got played!!!

Dude a COUPLE pulled up in a 335d... Come one dude, a couple? That means she probably has a purse and a credit card in it. I don't know anyone that does not have at least a credit card and a debit card on them at all times. Holy shit man they played you!!!!

Ok so you had two people with at least 4 credit cards between them. I would have been like "dude I ain't Bank of America".

WinoGregorio · 12-19-2010, 02:48 PM

If you want to believe you helped someone then you did just that. On the other hand, if you doubt that, then you got scammed. No one else other than the person you gave the money to can say which way it was.

jhilsinho · 12-19-2010, 02:50 PM

Sometimes CCs cant be used twice in the same gas station, and sometimes, you only have one CC with you, specially if you rush out of home.

Its a 50/50 chance you got scammed, since sometimes 5hit happens to anyone.

Coolieman1220 · 12-19-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lesha

So I'm filling up my car at one of the rest areas off the highway. A couple in a red 335 coupe pulls up to the pump next to mine, the guy gets out of the car and starts asking me for gas money. He gives me a story that his credit card doesn't work and they can't get home. I usually don't fall for stuff like that and tell people to piss off. But what threw me off this time is that they had a really nice car and I would never suspect that someone with a car like would scam people for 20 dollars. So I ask the guy to show me that his cc doesn't work and he does. So I give them 20 bucks worth of gas. I don't care about 20 buck if I truly helped someone out in need, but it would obviously piss me off if it was a scam.

At first it seems highly unlikely that they only have one cc and no debit card or any other cards or no cash. On the other hand I don't suspect that someone who could afford that car would scam people for 20 bucks. I guess I'll never know the truth, all kinds of people out there, but after I did it, i didn't get a good feeling about it. What do you guys think? Did i get scammed or helped someone in need?

the scam test would have been to check if they put premium gas or not! regular = scam, premium = no scam. still a strange situation to be in nonetheless...

Quote:

Originally Posted by *********

Sounds like you got scammed......it's possible that couple stole that car and didn't want to leave a trail by using a credit card.

Like you said, you'll never know.

FWIW, I'm in college and don't have credit yet. I only have my debit card.

I remember one time I filled up half my tank in Philly because gas prices are higher than in Jersey. I went to another Sunoco on the way home and my debit card was declined because you cannot use the same card at Sunoco within 24 hours.

The attended had to go inside and charge $20 to my debit card as a purchase in the store. Then he filled up my tank $20 worth.

Yeah I hate that about sunoco, especially on the NJ turnpike. its annoying .

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta0311

Holy shit!!! You got played!!!

Dude a COUPLE pulled up in a 335d... Come one dude, a couple? That means she probably has a purse and a credit card in it. I don't know anyone that does not have at least a credit card and a debit card on them at all times. Holy shit man they played you!!!!

Ok so you had two people with at least 4 credit cards between them. I would have been like "dude I ain't Bank of America".

what does a 335d have to do with this?

Jonny550 · 12-19-2010, 02:56 PM

Ya it kinda sucks if you got scammed but who cares i spend $20 walking out my front door lol.

dtc100 · 12-19-2010, 03:02 PM

Since you set out to help people, you should never feel bad about what you did, regardless if those were scammers or not. What goes around comes around.

ChasVS · 12-19-2010, 03:05 PM

You got screwed, but these days your government does it to yu 24/7 so why not the general population? It's the New Society we live in. Whatever it takes!

Delta0311 · 12-19-2010, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolieman1220

the scam test would have been to check if they put premium gas or not! regular = scam, premium = no scam. still a strange situation to be in nonetheless...

Yeah I hate that about sunoco, especially on the NJ turnpike. its annoying .

what does a 335d have to do with this?

Nothing I hit the d instead of the i. Doesn't matter anyway? If you can afford a BMW I doubt you cannot afford gas. No way in hell that 2 people wouldn't at least have 2 credit cards or at least one debit card between them. Also its your bank that blocks your card from being used more than once at the same gas station. All you need to do is call the number on the back of your card and they will unblock you.

blacknbean · 12-19-2010, 03:11 PM

20$ is a lot to ask for. ive never given so much to a random person. but in the end scam or not if you can afford it dont let it bother you too much and use it for future reference.

2M · 12-19-2010, 03:17 PM

yeah man , people do this kinda stuff...same thing happened to me, it was a couple and they said they were from upstate and not familiar with the area and asked me to use my phone cuz the girl lost her purse...after they asked me for money for gas but i said i didnt have any. They said they'd mail it back to me lol and idc if its 10 cents, its my money and i dont like being cheated out of it

ctuna · 12-19-2010, 03:20 PM

No good dead goes unpunished

fdriller9 · 12-19-2010, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta0311

Nothing I hit the d instead of the i. Doesn't matter anyway? If you can afford a BMW I doubt you cannot afford gas. No way in hell that 2 people wouldn't at least have 2 credit cards or at least one debit card between them. Also its your bank that blocks your card from being used more than once at the same gas station. All you need to do is call the number on the back of your card and they will unblock you.

I'm pretty sure it's Sunoco (or the gas station) that prevents it from being charged twice.

Did you read my story above? I filled up at 2 different Sunocos.....the 2nd time I tried filling I was denied. The attendant just went inside and charged $20. Probably like if you going to buy a drink or something in the convenience store.

It was the pump that denied me.

I also bet you could go to a different brand gas station and fill up.

thkfast · 12-19-2010, 03:41 PM

I don't think I'd ever ask a complete stranger for $20. If I ever found myself far from home, in a bad way and needed $20 cash/credit maybe I'd offer the person something I have on me worth $50 as a trade for the cash. Hold it, that sounds illegal somehow. Anyway, if you can afford to help someone out by giving them $20, just consider it a Christmas present to a stranger! I don't see any problems with that.

persian54 · 12-19-2010, 03:55 PM

it's done and over with

Whether they needed it or not... you helped them out assuming they needed it

If they indeed scammed you, karma will hit them

But for you, good karma should hit you

So don't worry

Also, you guys should get a credit card ASAP and stop wasting your time with a debt card
you may only get a $200-500 credit limit, but that's something.

If it wasn't for me using my credit cards since the day I turned 18 (actually, that was my bday gift to myself, a credit card in my own name), I wouldn't have credit like I do now (830 fico)

Just be careful and don't go over your limit and pay you balance off each month as if it were a debit card (cause with debit money is take out immediately, with credit you have to remember to pay in 20 or so days)

Student credit cards are almost guaranteed approval

michaelthepsycho · 12-19-2010, 04:05 PM

I think $20 is too much. I'd only give $10 unless I didn't have any change. Six gallon can get you 140 miles but the idea of it being a scam would never enter my mind.

fdriller9 · 12-19-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by persian54

it's done and over with

Whether they needed it or not... you helped them out assuming they needed it

If they indeed scammed you, karma will hit them

But for you, good karma should hit you

So don't worry

Also, you guys should get a credit card ASAP and stop wasting your time with a debt card
you may only get a $200-500 credit limit, but that's something.

If it wasn't for me using my credit cards since the day I turned 18 (actually, that was my bday gift to myself, a credit card in my own name), I wouldn't have credit like I do now (830 fico)

Just be careful and don't go over your limit and pay you balance off each month as if it were a debit card (cause with debit money is take out immediately, with credit you have to remember to pay in 20 or so days)

Student credit cards are almost guaranteed approval

Student credit cards? Can you send over some links? I don't have any credit whatsoever.

When I applied for my internship at Pepsi, I failed the credit portion of the background check. If I didn't have connections within the company, I think I would have been denied.

I would like a credit card so I can build up my credit but I also have poor spending habits....I may screw myself over.

apc3libras · 12-19-2010, 05:04 PM

There's no way to know. I have done the same type of thing before. All you can think is that you helped someone in need. If they screwed you, karma will come around for them.

Fisch · 12-19-2010, 05:06 PM

If it helps, my parents are in their 50s and only have one credit card. Well they each have their own card, but it's linked back to the same account. No debit card, they never use ATMs. I'm not sure why...

JC316 · 12-19-2010, 05:16 PM

Regardless you helped someone. Glad to hear that their are people like you still around! If I was the one borrowing the money I would have got your information to send something back your way along with the $20. Oh well.

Good Job!

pruettfan · 12-19-2010, 05:51 PM

I think you did a nice thing. Who cares if it was a scam or not. Most likely it was not but we are so cynical these days we assume everyone is a trying to pull something. I know a lot of folks that don't carry credit cards or cash and are totally dependent on their debit card. My daughter is one. If her debit card did not work and she was far from home needing gas she would be in the same position. I always insist she keep some cash with her but she rarely listens.

12-19-2010, 02:43 PM	#1
lesha Lieutenant 79 Rep 399 Posts Drives: 2009 - 335 coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Alexandria, VA iTrader: (1)	Did I get scammed? So I'm filling up my car at one of the rest areas off the highway. A couple in a red 335 coupe pulls up to the pump next to mine, the guy gets out of the car and starts asking me for gas money. He gives me a story that his credit card doesn't work and they can't get home. I usually don't fall for stuff like that and tell people to piss off. But what threw me off this time is that they had a really nice car and I would never suspect that someone with a car like would scam people for 20 dollars. So I ask the guy to show me that his cc doesn't work and he does. So I give them 20 bucks worth of gas. I don't care about 20 buck if I truly helped someone out in need, but it would obviously piss me off if it was a scam. At first it seems highly unlikely that they only have one cc and no debit card or any other cards or no cash. On the other hand I don't suspect that someone who could afford that car would scam people for 20 bucks. I guess I'll never know the truth, all kinds of people out there, but after I did it, i didn't get a good feeling about it. What do you guys think? Did i get scammed or helped someone in need?
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12-19-2010, 02:44 PM	#2
fdriller9 Banned 253 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	Sounds like you got scammed......it's possible that couple stole that car and didn't want to leave a trail by using a credit card. Like you said, you'll never know. FWIW, I'm in college and don't have credit yet. I only have my debit card. I remember one time I filled up half my tank in Philly because gas prices are higher than in Jersey. I went to another Sunoco on the way home and my debit card was declined because you cannot use the same card at Sunoco within 24 hours. The attended had to go inside and charge $20 to my debit card as a purchase in the store. Then he filled up my tank $20 worth.
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12-19-2010, 02:45 PM	#3
Delta0311 Banned 7478 Rep 10,120 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335xi E92 2016 228xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	Holy shit!!! You got played!!! Dude a COUPLE pulled up in a 335d... Come one dude, a couple? That means she probably has a purse and a credit card in it. I don't know anyone that does not have at least a credit card and a debit card on them at all times. Holy shit man they played you!!!! Ok so you had two people with at least 4 credit cards between them. I would have been like "dude I ain't Bank of America".
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12-19-2010, 02:48 PM	#4
WinoGregorio Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2020 m550i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Los Gatos iTrader: (0)	If you want to believe you helped someone then you did just that. On the other hand, if you doubt that, then you got scammed. No one else other than the person you gave the money to can say which way it was.
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12-19-2010, 02:50 PM	#5
jhilsinho Banned 28 Rep 276 Posts Drives: 335I 07 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pothole capital of the world iTrader: (0)	Maybe not Sometimes CCs cant be used twice in the same gas station, and sometimes, you only have one CC with you, specially if you rush out of home. Its a 50/50 chance you got scammed, since sometimes 5hit happens to anyone.
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12-19-2010, 02:56 PM	#7
Jonny550 Brigadier General 241 Rep 4,936 Posts Drives: 2012 550i Xdrive Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Jersey Shore iTrader: (14)	Ya it kinda sucks if you got scammed but who cares i spend $20 walking out my front door lol. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] .
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12-19-2010, 03:02 PM	#8
dtc100 Lieutenant Colonel 28 Rep 1,522 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 328i 6AT non-sport Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Norcal iTrader: (0)	Since you set out to help people, you should never feel bad about what you did, regardless if those were scammers or not. What goes around comes around.
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12-19-2010, 03:05 PM	#9
ChasVS Colonel 40 Rep 2,431 Posts Drives: 2012 MB ML350 Bluetec Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Central FL iTrader: (10)	You got screwed, but these days your government does it to yu 24/7 so why not the general population? It's the New Society we live in. Whatever it takes!
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12-19-2010, 03:11 PM	#11
blacknbean Major 14 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: e92 335i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: LA iTrader: (2)	20$ is a lot to ask for. ive never given so much to a random person. but in the end scam or not if you can afford it dont let it bother you too much and use it for future reference.
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12-19-2010, 03:17 PM	#12
2M Colonel 503 Rep 2,200 Posts Drives: Mineral Grey M2 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (2)	yeah man , people do this kinda stuff...same thing happened to me, it was a couple and they said they were from upstate and not familiar with the area and asked me to use my phone cuz the girl lost her purse...after they asked me for money for gas but i said i didnt have any. They said they'd mail it back to me lol and idc if its 10 cents, its my money and i dont like being cheated out of it __________________ E9X Picture Game: 8 points: (High visibility jacket; Strip Club; Pizzeria; Sobriety Test; E9x dressed for Halloween, Billiards, Oil Change, Orange Cone)
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12-19-2010, 03:20 PM	#13
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,104 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	No good dead goes unpunished No good dead goes unpunished
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12-19-2010, 03:41 PM	#15
thkfast Major 261 Rep 1,029 Posts Drives: 2015 F82 M4 Sakhir Orange DCT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA iTrader: (1)	I don't think I'd ever ask a complete stranger for $20. If I ever found myself far from home, in a bad way and needed $20 cash/credit maybe I'd offer the person something I have on me worth $50 as a trade for the cash. Hold it, that sounds illegal somehow. Anyway, if you can afford to help someone out by giving them $20, just consider it a Christmas present to a stranger! I don't see any problems with that. __________________ "The likelihood of one individual being right increases in direct proportion to the intensity with which others attempt to prove him wrong." 2015 F82 M4 - Sakhir Orange Metallic 2013 E92 M3 / 2013 E92 335is / 2010 E90 335i / 2007 E90 335i
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12-19-2010, 03:55 PM	#16
persian54 Lieutenant General 923 Rep 15,818 Posts Drives: M760/G83M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal iTrader: (298)	it's done and over with Whether they needed it or not... you helped them out assuming they needed it If they indeed scammed you, karma will hit them But for you, good karma should hit you So don't worry Also, you guys should get a credit card ASAP and stop wasting your time with a debt card you may only get a $200-500 credit limit, but that's something. If it wasn't for me using my credit cards since the day I turned 18 (actually, that was my bday gift to myself, a credit card in my own name), I wouldn't have credit like I do now (830 fico) Just be careful and don't go over your limit and pay you balance off each month as if it were a debit card (cause with debit money is take out immediately, with credit you have to remember to pay in 20 or so days) Student credit cards are almost guaranteed approval __________________ From E93 335i to E89 Z4 to E93 M3/E89 Z4 to E350/SL550
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12-19-2010, 04:05 PM	#17
michaelthepsycho Lieutenant Colonel 76 Rep 1,644 Posts Drives: 11 Montego Blue E90 335i Step Join Date: May 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (4)	I think $20 is too much. I'd only give $10 unless I didn't have any change. Six gallon can get you 140 miles but the idea of it being a scam would never enter my mind. __________________ Former car 2011 BMW 335i Step - Montego Blue / Chestnut Brown
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12-19-2010, 05:04 PM	#19
apc3libras Lieutenant Colonel 35 Rep 1,691 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: UTAH iTrader: (3) Garage List 1999 BMW M3 [4.00]	There's no way to know. I have done the same type of thing before. All you can think is that you helped someone in need. If they screwed you, karma will come around for them. __________________ 2007 BMW 328I Monaco Blue /// 1999 BMW M3 Titanium Silver /// 2007 BMW 328I Sparkling Graphite (sold)
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12-19-2010, 05:06 PM	#20
Fisch Private 4 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (0)	If it helps, my parents are in their 50s and only have one credit card. Well they each have their own card, but it's linked back to the same account. No debit card, they never use ATMs. I'm not sure why...
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12-19-2010, 05:16 PM	#21
JC316 Second Lieutenant 74 Rep 293 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 M50i \| 2009 E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Seoul, Korea iTrader: (2)	Regardless you helped someone. Glad to hear that their are people like you still around! If I was the one borrowing the money I would have got your information to send something back your way along with the $20. Oh well. Good Job!
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12-19-2010, 05:51 PM	#22
pruettfan Brigadier General 1622 Rep 3,402 Posts Drives: 2017 M2, LBB, DCT, Exec Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	I think you did a nice thing. Who cares if it was a scam or not. Most likely it was not but we are so cynical these days we assume everyone is a trying to pull something. I know a lot of folks that don't carry credit cards or cash and are totally dependent on their debit card. My daughter is one. If her debit card did not work and she was far from home needing gas she would be in the same position. I always insist she keep some cash with her but she rarely listens.
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