NORTHLAKE — The Northlake Police Department issued a public warning about a growing scam at gas stations in suburban Northlake involving tampered fuel pumps. In the so-called 'screw scam,' thieves insert a small screw into the nozzle cradle of a gas pump to manipulate the fueling process.
According to department officials, the screw prevents the pump nozzle’s lever from fully closing when a customer returns it after fueling. Because the lever remains open, the pump continues to register the transaction as active. After the original customer drives away, a thief then uses the still-connected payment method to dispense fuel into their own vehicle, charging the cost to the unsuspecting driver’s card.
Police said the screws used in the scam are typically visible once the nozzle is removed from its cradle. A department spokesperson advised customers to inspect the cradle for foreign objects before beginning to pump fuel. Additional safety steps include listening for the nozzle to click securely into place after refueling and waiting until the pump screen resets—either by returning to $0.00 or prompting for a receipt—before leaving the station.
The department also recommends that drivers print their transaction receipt to verify the final charge and immediately report any discrepancies. Customers are urged to decline offers of help from strangers who volunteer to hang up the nozzle, as this could be part of the scam. If a jammed or suspicious pump is discovered, police advise against touching it and instead instructing customers to notify the station attendant so the pump can be taken out of service.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of the scam should contact the Northlake Police Department and reach out to their bank or credit card issuer to dispute unauthorized charges. Officials confirmed that multiple incidents of this type have been reported in the suburban Northlake area, prompting the public advisory.