New scam warnings as Pittsburgh hits record-high gas prices

PITTSBURGH — For the first time ever, the price of gas in the Pittsburgh region jumped over the $5 mark.

As of Thursday, it’s at $5.01. This comes after the Pennsylvania average hit that mark on Wednesday.

Now, the Federal Trade Commission is warning people about getting unsolicited calls, texts and emails about a government relief program for high gas prices, according to NBC affiliate KJRH. It doesn’t exist.

In one case, a woman signed up for the program after getting a phone call but instead was duped and lost a lot of money from her checking account.

Related >>> Sticker shock: Pittsburghers react to record-high gas prices across the area

There’s also another scam involving $500 Speedway fuel gift cards for $1.95. A post widely shared on Facebook claimed the gas station was trying to help people out with the skyrocketing price of gas. It directs people to a link that you should not click on. Facebook flagged the post, but it’s still there and has been shared hundreds of times.

Speedway said the post is face and they are not running any type of promotion like that, according to NBC affiliate WGRZ.

Average price for gallon of gas tops $5 in Pennsylvania

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