Amid skyrocketing gas prices, a viral warning about a supposed “gas pump screw method” scam is sweeping across TikTok and local news broadcasts, prompting drivers to closely inspect fuel nozzles before pumping.
But while police departments and TV stations have amplified the concern, publicly verified evidence of the tactic remains limited, according to Snopes.
“If you pay with your card, it doesn’t reset”
One of the latest videos fueling the discussion came from Texas TikTok creator Marvisdss9h (@marvisdss9h). In the clip, filmed at a gas station near Fry Road in the Houston-area Katy community, the creator pointed toward a screw lodged near the pump nozzle and warned viewers about what he believed was happening.
“Shout out to the person that’s putting these videos out,” he said. “So basically when they put a screw, uh, in like these little gas pumps, if you pay with your card, it doesn’t reset,” he continued. “So somebody’s probably watching these pumps.”
“And if you pull off, they can come and actually, uh, fill up the gas tank.”
The TikTok creator said he paid with cash, but the object near the nozzle still caught his attention.
The gas pump “screw method” scam: Real or fake?
Videos describing the alleged scam have circulated widely online this month. Several local television stations and online outlets reported on the “screw method,” describing how a foreign object placed inside a nozzle cradle could theoretically stop a gas pump transaction from fully resetting after a customer leaves.
Under the theory behind the scam, someone waiting nearby could allegedly pick up the nozzle after another driver leaves and continue pumping fuel using the prior customer’s payment authorization.
However, reporting confirming real-world criminal cases tied specifically to screws in gas pumps remains scarce. (Marvis may have seen something real, or noticed someone trying the gas pump screw method, but consensus says it doesn’t work.)
A comment on Marvis’ TikTok post noted, “I’m a former petroleum tech, the screw doesn’t impact the transaction in any way. Transaction ends when the nozzle is put back, also there’s a timer on all transactions if no fuel is dispensed it cancels the transaction.”
Axios noted this week that police warnings and viral social media posts have helped spread concern about the practice. But the outlet did not cite arrests or documented prosecutions.
The controversy resembles earlier viral gas station scam warnings that later unraveled under scrutiny. Snopes previously debunked a widespread claim alleging drivers must press a “clear” button at pumps to stop the next customer from charging gas to their card. The fact-checking site rated that claim false.
That does not mean pump-related fraud never occurs. Police in Maryland recently warned drivers about a separate scam involving improperly rehung nozzles that allegedly keep transactions open after customers leave. Consumer protection experts still recommend drivers watch the screen before leaving the pump, collect receipts, and monitor bank statements for suspicious charges. For now, though, the viral “screw method” warnings continue to occupy a murky space between legitimate consumer caution and internet-fueled panic, with social media videos outpacing confirmed evidence.
Published: May 21, 2026 08:29 am