WARNING: Gas station scam in Quakertown, PA (Lebanon: stores, bills)

[daniellefinley]

I wanted to share my experience in Quakertown, PA so no one else gets suckered.

A woman in her mid 30s early 40s, her six year old daughter, and another woman are scamming people at gas stations in the area. I know for sure the Wawa by the turnpike on 663 and the station down the street from there (I think it's an a-plus) How do I know she's scamming? Let me share what happened to me.

My daughter and I were getting gas a week ago when she came up to me at the station. She was driving a jeep with Illinois plates. She told me a sob story about losing her debit card and trying to get home. I knew she could be scamming me but I gave her the benefit of the doubt and gave her money for gas.

Yesterday I went to the same Wawa to get gas and I see the same woman walking around asking for gas money. This time she was driving a tan Buick with West Virginia plates. Furious, I went inside and told the manager and she got shooed away. As I went to leave I see her down the street at the A-Plus. I park my car and wait, she approaches the man parked next to me and I get out of my car and confront her and warn the man. She denies it (of course) and leaves and the man thanks me for the warning.

I know she has these 2 cars (Jeep with Illinois plates, tan Buick with West Virginia plates) but I don't know if there's more but be weary of anyone asking for money at the local stations.

I also noted a number of people (one man with a dog, a family with a small child - different people with different sob stories) holding up signs in local parking lots begging for money. This all came about the same time this woman entered our area and I have a feeling they could be part of the same group.


I hope this can stop someone else from getting suckered by these jerks.

[wardwhirlboromarlpool1955]

Thanks for the warning but actually the second gas station (other than Wawa) you mentioned would actually be a Sunoco. Only the Sunoco convenience stores use the A Plus name. I bring this up because the company that would have to file a police report, perhaps hire new security because of these incidents, etc would be Sunoco.

[pcity]

This is a really common panhandling tactic. I've seen a number of people do this at gas stations.

[daniellefinley]

Originally Posted by pcity

This is a really common panhandling tactic. I've seen a number of people do this at gas stations.

Yes unfortunately very common but I figured since she's been to the same station at least 2 times I'd give local people a heads up.

[Mike from back east]

An old scam, can happen anywhere, I've seen it here in COLO SPGS about 5 years ago.

[Buffyann]

This just happened to me and my daughter at the Wal-Mart in Lebanon, Pa. This lady with long blond hair, mid 20's, was holding a sign that read, ' ran out of gas'. I asked her if she needed a ride, thinking it would be local. NO, not at all, she needed to get back to Arizona. My daughter and I circled around the parking lot, gathered some change and loose money and gave it to her. Something did not feel right after I gave it. I did not want to judge and prayed that she is not doing wrong and in the end I know my daughter and I did the right thing. After I told some family about the poor young lady that we had helped, we were warned that there are scammers in the area with that same story. So I will pass my experience along to others and you do what you feel is right. Not everyone is scamming and some people really do need the help. It's so sad we have people out there that are doing this but it's also sad to see the poor in need of food and shelter too. God bless.

[North Beach Person]

I think this type of thing is universal. We have it here in Southern Maryland, too.

[JohnZ963]

This has happened to me in other states. Usually a younger overweight woman with out of state plates on an older car begging for gas money with some sob story.

[rainrock]

During the holiday season there is a guy with a Please Help Sign who stands at the parking lot exit at Total Wine in Claymont De. During the Holidays, Total Wines does about $1 M a day in business.

One day while leaving That guy with the sign pulled out a wad of bills that was 6 inches thick. People kept giving their money away to him.

[Houston3]

I need a part time job....looks like I found one....lol