Two weeks ago I began a new job as a cashier at a Shell gas station. Since then I have had two major problems with "drive-offs" or gasoline theft. In the two problems that I had I noticed that both had a few things in common. And that's when it hit me; there are signs that one should watch for when trying to avoid drive offs.

"Drive offs" have become more common over the years for gas retailers. As gas prices go up so do the number of thefts. That's because people just simply do not want to pay for their gasoline. According to http://www.nacsonline.com gasoline theft cost the industry $122 million in 2006 alone. This figure is a huge decline from the previous year where in 2005 gasoline theft was $300 million dollar problem in this country.

The number of thefts have gone done dramatically because gas retailers have implemented a pre-pay system in which consumers must pay before their gas pump will be turned on. Also, some states have passed legislature which allows police to suspend the driver's license of a person who has committed gasoline theft. So far those states are Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Kansas, South Carolina, Michigan, Tennessee, West Virginia, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, Washington, North Dakota, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Ohio, Iowa, and Minnesota.

So what are the signs of someone who is going to scam you for free gas? First of all, if your store's prices go up you can expect an increase in drive-offs. So be on the lookout for anything suspicious especially when prices rise.

Secondly, make sure to make eye contact with the person. If they won't look you in the eyes than it usually means they are up to no good. Most of the time people who seem shifty and won't make eye contact don't want you to be able to recognize their face so that after they steal gas you will have no recollection of what they look like.

Third, if someone is in a big hurry be sure to take notice. This goes hand in hand with the eye contact theory. If someone needs gas and is trying to rush you or rushes around nervously it probably doesn't mean they are having a crisis. It usually means they are trying to pull one over on you. They are trying to hurry up and steal gas and get out of sight as fast as possible so you won't have time to get after and catch them.

Fourth, don't judge a book by its cover - or a car for that matter. You might assume that people in junky old cars would be the ones trying to steal gas more frequently. That is hardly the case as research shows that drive offs occur just as often from people who have expensive gas-guzzling SUVs and the like. With both drive off incidents I have witnessed at my store thus far it has been expensive car owners that have been the thieves.

Just be sure to keep a watchful eye at all times! You never know who is going to try and steal gas so just be on the lookout.