Medford Gas Station Fined For Advertising Bad Prices

A local gas station was fined $900 after advertising prices lower than what they had to pay at the pump, authorities said.

Consumers notified the city inspector for the state's Division of Standards on April Medford Square Gas at 1 Mystic Avenue in Medford was one of two stations in Massachusetts to be hit with a fine recently, according to a press release from the Consumer Affairs Division of Standards.

On April 14, consumers tipped off the city inspector that the street price was lower than the pump price, the release said. When the inspector arrived, the street price had been updated to match the pump price, but signs above the pump had yet to be updated on six pumps, the release said. With three different octane levels on each pump improperly priced a total of 18 violations were cited, leading to $900 in fines, the release said.

State regulations regarding price advertising are designed to notify consumers of accurate pricing on all signage, with increases first noted on street signage and decreases first reflected at the pump in order to maximize the benefit for consumers, the press release said.

“Our inspectors and local inspectors are in the field every day, but we cannot be at every gas station checking prices on a daily basis,” said Charles Carroll, the Director of the Division of Standards in the release. “If consumers see a pricing issue at a gas station, we encourage them to call us immediately so we can inspect the station and take action if there is a violation.”