Gas station charges Florida woman nearly $10,000

NORTH FT. MYERS, Fla. -- A Florida woman had to fight for a refund after she was erroneously charged for more than 27,000 gallons of gas.

Susan Gower's husband stopped at a Valero gas station in North Fort Myers, Florida on May 5, like he's done many times before.

"He filled his car up, maybe $20 worth or something like that. He used his credit card," she told WFTX-TV.

When they tried to use the card the next day, the card was over its credit limit.

Gower then checked her account, noticing a charge for $9,949.36 from the gas station. Looking at the receipt from Valero, she saw the pump charged her for more than 27,000 gallons of gas.

Gower immediately went to the bank, canceling her card.

"The bank just said, 'Get with Valero, have them reverse the charges.' Very simple," she said.

The gas station manager, however, told her it wasn't possible.

Two weeks later, after getting Valero customer service involved, Gower's account was credited back the money.

She was relieved -- but frustrated with the owner of that station for his lack of customer service.

"It stemmed from the glitch in his gas pump. He just wouldn't ever own up to the fact that he was wrong," she said.

While her account was frozen, Gower was unable to use her Visa reward points to rent two cars, paying out of pocket.

She was hoping the owner would pay back that money for the hassle but hasn't been able to reach him -- so local reporter Lisa Greenberg reached out herself.

When Greenberg asked the station manager how he was going to make it up to Gower, he hung up on her.

"I'm a teacher, and 10-year-olds know they need to own up to their mistakes, and try to make it right and apologize. That's what makes me mad," Gower said.