Tag Archives: #InvestigativeJournalism

Swipe, Scream, and Scam: My $0.10 Gas Station Horror Story

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By A.L. Childers – Journalist, Storyteller, Gas Receipt Avenger

It started like any other afternoon. I was low on gas, short on time, and already teetering between “responsible adult” and “if one more thing goes wrong today, I swear…”

So, I pulled into a place I’d visited before — the Shell station in Belmont, NC, off Wilkinson Blvd near the old Bi-Lo (RIP). I mean, how bad could it be?

The price per gallon posted? Manageable. Painful? Sure — but not “sell a kidney on Craigslist” painful. I swiped my debit card, selected my fuel grade, and waited.

The pump clicked. I filled up. Life went on. Or so I thought.

🚨 The Real Price at the Pump

When I glanced at the final total, something felt off. The per-gallon price was 10 cents more than what was posted.

And my brain whispered, “No big deal, right?”

Wrong.

I walked inside — not storming in like a reality TV contestant, just calmly, with a polite question:

“Hey, I think I was overcharged. I used my debit card, but it looks like it charged me the credit card price?”

The cashier looked at me like I’d just asked him to explain quantum physics.

Then he barked:

“It’s not my problem. If you don’t like it — get out of my store.”

Then louder — almost like I was a burglar instead of a paying customer:

“GET OUT OF MY STORE NOW!”

At that moment, I froze. My heart skipped. My jaw probably dropped. I was stunned — and, honestly, a little scared. I stood there thinking:

“What the hell is happening right now? I asked a question about my own money!”

Still trying to stay composed, I asked for a receipt — especially since the outside machine “conveniently” didn’t print one.

Nope.

“We don’t have it.”

Not even a shrug. No printed proof. No verbal breakdown. No “Let me help you.” Just another loud “Get out!” as if I was causing trouble — when I was just trying to make sure I wasn’t quietly being scammed 10 cents at a time.

That’s when it hit me: this wasn’t a fluke. This was a system.

💰 Not a Gas Station — A Money Scheme

Sure, 10 cents might not seem like a big deal.

Until you realize that if they’re doing this to hundreds of customers a day, they’re raking in thousands in unauthorized debit card surcharges every single month.

And the best part? They don’t give receipts — so there’s no proof, no trace, no accountability.

If you’re wondering how this could possibly be legal — spoiler alert — it’s not.

⚖️ Laws They’re Breaking (And Why They Should Be Worried)

🔹 1. Visa/Mastercard Network Rules

No surcharges allowed on debit card transactions, even if you run the card as “credit” (without a PIN).

  • Violation: Visa Core Rules, Section 5.2.5.1
  • Penalty: Fines, blacklisting, termination of their merchant account = no more card payments. 💥

🔹 2. Durbin Amendment – Dodd-Frank Act (2010)

Protects consumers from abusive card fees and prohibits surcharges on debit transactions, unless there’s a dual-pricing model and proper signage.

  • Violation: Federal fee regulation breach
  • Consequence: Civil penalties, fines, federal enforcement

🔹 3. North Carolina General Statute § 75-1.1

It is unlawful to engage in unfair or deceptive trade practices — including hidden charges, denial of receipts, and intimidating customers for asking questions.

  • Violation: State consumer protection law
  • Consequence:
    • Treble (triple) damages for victims
    • Injunctions against the business
    • Investigations by the NC DOJ
    • Possible business license repercussions

🛠 What I’m Doing (Because I’m Not the One)

✅ Filed a complaint with the North Carolina Attorney General
✅ Reported the location to the NC Department of Agriculture’s Standards Division
✅ Notified my bank — because they don’t play about debit misuse
✅ Wrote this blog — because you deserve to know
✅ Offering this story to any news outlet brave enough to cover real consumer scams

🎙️ Dear Media Outlets — This One’s on Me

📍 WCNC Charlotte
📍 WSOC-TV Channel 9
📍 WBTV Charlotte
📍 WCCB FOX Charlotte
📍 Queen City Nerve

If you’re a journalist, anchor, or producer who cares about everyday people being quietly ripped off — this is your story. It’s local. It’s legal. It’s LOUD. And it’s being told by a damn good writer who knows how to dig deep, connect facts to feelings, and still keep it entertaining.

If you’re interested in investigating further or collaborating, contact me at:
📩 ALChildersWrites@gmail.com
📢 I’m offering this story to you — with research, quotes, and an audience that’s ready to listen.

📌 Final Thought

All I did was ask a question. About my own money.
And I was yelled at like I robbed the place.
If that doesn’t scare you — it should.

“You can’t attract better investment by blaming the people already risking everything to stay. You attract it by protecting them.”
— A.L. Childers

Let’s protect each other. Let’s shine a light on businesses that think silence is profit.
And let’s make sure no one else gets treated like I did — just for speaking up.

📣 Hashtags to Share the Truth:

#DebitScamExposed
#MyrtleToBelmontTruth
#ConsumerRightsMatter
#GasStationGate
#ShellScamStory
#JournalismWithTeeth