Shell class action alleges gas stations charge gift card customers higher price

Shell class action overview: 

• Who: Shell Oil Products is facing a class action lawsuit over its gift card practices.
• Why: Shell is accused of charging customers using a Shell gift card the credit card price instead of the cash price.
• Where: The Shell lawsuit was filed in federal court in California.

Shell is facing a class action lawsuit saying its gas stations wrongfully charge customers using a Shell gift card the credit card price for gasoline instead of the cash price.

California civil code requires that any gift card sold after Jan. 1, 1997, is redeemable for its cash value. The gift cards should then be valid for the cash price at Shell gas stations, the class action claims.

“Despite selling a gift card that, by law, is the equivalent of cash, Shell fails to honor the cash rate when using the Shell gift card to purchase gasoline,” the price lawsuit says. “Consumers may use the Shell gift card to purchase gas either directly at the pump or via-a-vis an attendant at the point of sale. In neither scenario can the Shell gift card be used to purchase gasoline at the cash rate.”

Shell policy is ‘deceptive scheme’ leading to millions in damage, lawsuit says

The Shell price policy is a violation of the civil code but also California’s Unfair Competition Law, the Consumer Legal Remedies Act and leads to unjust enrichment for Shell, the lawsuit says. The California class is asking for compensatory damages, statutory penalties, restitution, an order stopping the Shell price policy and attorney’s fees.

“Shell’s deceptive scheme is in contravention of the law and has cumulatively resulted in millions of dollars of damage to California consumers,” the class action lawsuit says.

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a $5.6 billion settlement agreement between Visa, Mastercard and more than 12 million retailers who accused the credit card companies of improperly fixing credit and debit card fees. 

Have you been charged the credit card rate while using a Shell gift card at the pump? Let us know in the comments.  

The plaintiff is represented by Michael D. Braun of Kuzyk Law LLP.

The Shell class action lawsuit is Rodriguez v. Equilon Enterprises LLC d/b/a Shell Oil Products U.S., Case No. 3:24-cv-00075-CAB-DEB, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• BP class action claims gas stations surcharge customers who pay by credit card
• Apple settles gift card scam class action
• San Francisco city attorney files lawsuit against Vanilla gift card maker
• Dunkin’ settles gift card balance lawsuit