Scam oil suppliers will trick you into paying more for your fuel than you really need. They will set up fictitious websites, pretending to be a government agency, tank terminal, shipping company, or law firm. They will also send fake documents in the mail to lure you into making a larger payment than you really need. These companies will then take your money and deliver the oil without delivering it to your home. Here are some tips to avoid being a victim of scam oil suppliers.
Be wary of heating oil scams. A dishonest oil supplier can dilute the oil and send it back to the tanker, leaving you with less than you actually paid for. To prevent such a situation, do your homework and check online reviews or ask your friends for recommendations. It’s also a good idea to know how to spot a scam company. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.
Don’t pay more for your heating oil. Some scam oil suppliers pad their truck with dirtier, recycled motor oils. The oil will burn cleaner and smell worse than normal. Other scammers disable the air bleed valve on their trucks, which means they’re using a different additive to boost their profits. When the oil is heated, the air escapes and you end up with foamy, cappuccino-like fuel. Luckily, there are ways to protect yourself from this type of scam.