Every day, millions of people visit petrol pumps to fill their vehicles with petrol or diesel. Whether you’re traveling or going to work, driving without petrol or diesel is impossible. People generally assume that when they pay, they will receive the correct amount of fuel. However, this is often not the case. Customers are often misled and defrauded.
Employees often underfill fuel and charge the full amount. Sometimes this goes unnoticed. But if you’re paying attention and notice any irregularities or misconduct at a petrol pump, you can report it. Let’s understand how this fraud occurs and where you can file a complaint.
How does fraud and manipulation occur at a petrol pump
When you go to fill petrol, you can become a victim of fraud. This happens in several ways. The most common method is underfilling. Imagine someone asks for ₹500 worth of petrol, and the machine displays that amount, but the vehicle’s tank is underfilled.
To distract customers, employees sometimes stop the machine and restart it. This makes the customer believe the fuel is filled, which is not true. In some cases, the machine’s meter is also tampered with. Therefore, it is very important to remain vigilant. Customers should always carefully monitor the display meter and take a receipt. This makes it easier to detect any irregularities.
Where and how to file a complaint
If you notice any irregularities at a petrol pump, take appropriate action instead of panicking.
First, talk to the pump manager or owner. If you don’t find a solution there, you can file a complaint directly.
The government has provided a toll-free number for this purpose: 1800-233-3555. You can register your complaint by calling this number.
Complaints can also be filed on the websites and apps of oil companies like Indian Oil, HPCL, and BPCL.
When filing a complaint, clearly mention the receipt, the time, and the name of the petrol pump. This makes the investigation easier. If irregularities are found, the pump may be fined and its license may be cancelled.