| High gas prices have brought the con artists out from | | | | the costs of getting to them. Provided you don't pay a |
| underneath the proverbial rock, as scam artists | | | | premium for other services, namely an expensive night |
| attempt to convince unsuspecting consumers that they | | | | or two for a hotel stay, these types of offers can be |
| have a solution to the pain that they are feeling at the | | | | good too. |
| pump. | | | | The Bad - Some car dealerships are giving out sizable |
| Products offering consumers a way to run their cars | | | | gas vouchers to lure you in. If these vouchers are |
| on water have cropped up as well as special | | | | given in addition to the usual incentives, then I have no |
| "technological" devices, including magnets, which | | | | problem with them. Unfortunately, many of those "free |
| purportedly squeeze out more miles out of every | | | | gasoline for one year" gimmicks will reveal something |
| gallon of fuel. The number of people who are falling for | | | | that you may not know: you forfeit the manufacturer's |
| these scams is amazing, forcing many state offices of | | | | rebate or other incentive, likely coming away with |
| the Attorney General to announce alerts and warnings. | | | | something worth less than the regular incentive. |
| Is every gas voucher offering a scam? That depends. | | | | The Ugly - I hardly know where to begin with this one |
| Though it is impossible to verify every claim out there, | | | | as variations on this scam are rampant. Usually, the |
| the following are some guidelines to consider, advice | | | | appeal is for you to receive a $200 or greater gas |
| which can help you decide whether to sign up for a | | | | voucher in exchange for a "processing fee" of $3.95 |
| particular plan or not: | | | | or more, monies which is drafted from the consumer's |
| The Good - Some credit card issuers are encouraging | | | | checking. These scams usually originate with a phone |
| sign ups of new customers by offering a $25 or $50 | | | | call and are often targeted to senior citizens. Warning: |
| gas voucher for simply using their card one time. This | | | | if you give someone your checking account |
| offer can be good, but only if they don't charge an | | | | information, be prepared to have it immediately drained |
| annual fee or other fees and you pay off balances | | | | down to a zero balance! |
| every month. As a "rewards card" this type of credit | | | | With any gas voucher offer, if its sounds too good to |
| card can bring to you additional benefits resulting in | | | | be true, then it is a false offer. Err on the side of |
| savings on a variety of consumer products and future | | | | caution to avoid being taken; you can find other ways |
| gasoline purchases. Also, some resorts are enticing | | | | to save at the pump, but in most cases a cash |
| guests by offering a gas voucher to cover some of | | | | voucher for gasoline is just too good to be true! |